Anybody have any experience with motorbike hire in Vanuatu, I gotta go there next month and it'd be nice to get out on a bike during my down-time? 

Depends on your definition of motorbike ... twist and go scooters would be the most likely.

I'd assume you are talking about Vila? Might be worth trying Nautilus Scuba ... on the waterfront just as you head south out of town (within walking distance). I know they used to do that sort of thing and run by ex-pat Aussies.

Be mindful of your timing ... when a cruise ship is in town its whole different ballgame. But I don't really know what your options are (maybe Jukie can help?)

Isn't there a Redgum song about that?

QuoteLife is tragic hanging out at Kuta
If you haven't got a car, a bike or a scooter
Show me the bike shop, I've been to Bali too

Got myself a Honda, had to get away
No brakes, bald tyres, five thousand
Rupes a day.  I've been to Bali too

Well i don't ride a bike much home in Australia
As a motorcycle hero guess I'm a failure
Bemos to the left, trucks to the right
The Honda was a wreck but I was alright
Hello mercurochrome, i've been to Bali too

Quote from: Betty on April 14, 2010, 09:14:36 PM
Depends on your definition of motorbike ... twist and go scooters would be the most likely.

I'd assume you are talking about Vila? Might be worth trying Nautilus Scuba ... on the waterfront just as you head south out of town (within walking distance). I know they used to do that sort of thing and run by ex-pat Aussies.

Be mindful of your timing ... when a cruise ship is in town its whole different ballgame. But I don't really know what your options are (maybe Jukie can help?)

Definition excludes scooters and the like....  so far the ...ahem... best I've managed to find looks like this...

... And I have no idea if I'm talking about Vila or not coz I havent been given any itinerary yet....  Timing to avoid the cruise-shippers? I wont have that luxury, when I get a free day I'll just have to take what I can get..... although if scooters is it, I'll rent a car instead, or walk...lol...

Thanks for your suggestions 

now that is class!

I reckon that things got as much bling as your 1100S

Yep sorry I am not much help but I don't remember seeing that many bikes in Vanuatu (and how can you not know where you are going?). Ag/traily may be an option if you can find one but a shitbox car (or shitbox car + driver) may be your best bet.

The locals don't tend to favour bikes too much ... you can't too many Ni-Van on a bike. Since it is all about cheap or carrying capacity the local motoring scene is dominated by tiny 'disposable' cars or vans.

Also remember the roads are not even to NSW standard (so thats saying something) with most remnants/relics of the US military presence during WW2 ... crushed coral bases with a smattering of bitumen in the biggest towns.

Now that you have my interest ... what's the story?

Quote from: vossy on April 15, 2010, 06:19:36 PMnow that is class! ...I reckon that things got as much bling as your 1100S

  You'll keep Vossy    

Quote from: Betty on April 15, 2010, 07:46:12 PMAlso remember the roads are not even to NSW standard (so thats saying something) with most remnants/relics of the US military presence during WW2 ... crushed coral bases with a smattering of bitumen in the biggest towns.

hmmm... might have to look at a shit box car-like object for an outing instead then, eh....

Quote from: Betty on April 15, 2010, 07:46:12 PM.... how can you not know where you are going?...

I dont need to know, that's the pilot's job  .  Its work.  Mate, all I know so far is that I'm required in Vanuatu the middle of next month.   Meetings.  They're soooooo tedious arent they     .

I wouldn't recommend it.

The roads are pretty much non existent out of Vila (I suppose that could be fun), with yawning chasms running along them and drivers are crazy. And they drive on teh wrong side of teh road.

Fueling up is a 44 gallon drum on the side of the road with a hand pump, not that it wouldn't take long to fill a scoot up.

But I was there 15 years ago, things may have changed. 

I remember that pidgin english for a bra is "Titi Basket" 

good one Super, how come I'm not surprise you knew that.  What Super said the road are not good for scooters except the main one in town. I have been there 3 times and the roads get jammed pack with more taxi and buses every time I'm there. if you want to go anywere the are plenty of the taxi and buses around. They see a white fellow on the road and they will ask if you need a ride. This always annoy me the most, every minutes or so they call out. so not short of public transport, and if you are going to use their transport bargin a price before you hop in. I use to walk to most places as everything is in the main part of town. Ok place to eat is Ma Barkers do steak and chip and that sort of stuff with a beer beverage, also if you need to exchange money, the banks are not that good, but there is a few souvenirs places that will do you a better deal for your Vatu. So lukin you.  ..  

Odds on the steak is Water Buffalo too. 

And have a Tusker for me. 

And it made me laugh when walking down the main street of Vila and instead of seeing beer/aluminium cans in the gutter, all you see are half coconuts. 

Quote from: Wood Duck on April 20, 2010, 02:52:17 PM
Odds on the steak is Water Buffalo too. 

And have a Tusker for me. 

And it made me laugh when walking down the main street of Vila and instead of seeing beer/aluminium cans in the gutter, all you see are half coconuts. 

No, no , no it's all about Santo beef that graze amongst the coconut plantations.

Unfortunatley many of the Sth Pacific nations are becoming pretty grubby because of the 'banana mentality'. In the past they would walk along munching on bananas (or coconuts as you say) and discard the wrapper. They now do the same but the wrapper is plastic as the food aint fruit.

Tusker is still prevalent though.

Quote from: Wood Duck on April 20, 2010, 11:33:03 AMThe roads are pretty much non existent out of Vila (I suppose that could be fun), with yawning chasms running along them and drivers are crazy. And they drive on teh wrong side of teh road.

Just like driving in Melbourne then  .

Quote from: Wood Duck on April 20, 2010, 11:33:03 AMI remember that pidgin english for a bra is "Titi Basket" 

Pidgin? I thought they parlezed francais? (so that would make it titi basquet  )  .

Quote from: Jukie on April 20, 2010, 12:46:01 PM...... What Super said the road are not good for scooters except the main one in town. I have been there 3 times and the roads get jammed pack with more taxi and buses every time I'm there. if you want to go anywere the are plenty of the taxi and buses around....

Hmmm sounds like it'll be la transporte publique then eh.... Pity, I like to find my own way around when I'm..... elsewhere.  Thanks for the heads up   

They speak French, pigeon english and English . And there are a few dialect too, but you want have any problem speaking to the natives

Quote from: Jukie on April 21, 2010, 02:39:41 AM..... but you want have any problem speaking to the natives

I know.  I'm a cunning linguist  .

I wish I was coming with you unge I could give you a guided tour