myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Full Throttle Ltd. is the recently appointed dealer of Harley Davidson motorcycles in Trinidad and Tobago, and is considering establishing rental of Harley Davidson motorcycles in Tobago.

Initially the intention is to offer rental of a 100th Anniversary "Softail Deuce Cruiser" The bike is the most agile of the big V-Twin cruisers, and has proven suitable for the roads in the islands. Seating for the pillion rider is very comfortable.

Comments appreciated

Martin

Hi Martin

My comment is simple - nice idea, and might work on the longer/faster highways of Trinidad, but what about the tiny, rough roads of Tobago, littered with Goats, dogs, checkens and rastas? Safe top speed on 99% of roads here would be 40-50 mph.

Seems like a sure-fired way to put tourists into Scarborough General and your bikes in a crate back to you for repair! And I too am an ex-biker, from the London streets.

Just my opionion, others will want them.
Regards

Martin

I totally endorse what Glyn says. As nice as the Harleys might be, they would be total over-kill for Tobago's road and I, personally, would hate to think of such expensive machinery being entrusted to visitors of varying motorcycle skill and experience. A lot of 'amateur' inexperienced bikers would possibly hire them simply for the experience of riding a Harley - only to drop them the first time they hit a big pothole round a blind bend.

Now, a service offering small motorcycles (under 200cc) or the modern 'scooters' (even better, though it pains me to admit it) could have real potential as a visitor service.

Hi Steve

Hot news - there is a new trail/dirt bike rental place just opened up in Canaan on the main road (opposite side from Pennysavers supermarket) - when I passed it looked as though they were renting small and larger engined trail bikes, exactly what visitors who are not into scooters will want here. Unless anyone posts with more details I shall stop off when next passing and get some info for the forum readers, contact details, prices etc. They certainly had what looked like a varied selection anyway.

Glyn

Hi Glyn and Steve,

Point taken on the concerns. I have ridden all over Tobago on different types of motorbikes, and the terrain is similar to that of Aruba, Dutch Caribbean, where there is an excess of 200 Harley Davidson motorcycles. The Aruban Harley dealer also has a thriving Harley Davidson rental business. He screens his clients well! There are other similar Caribbean destinations I have been to.

Our club in Trinidad, which is made up of mature established middle age men (you can add me to that category) cruise on our highways and putt along on the winding smaller roads in the country side (Dogs alive and dead, cattle and crazy motorists). We have instilled safety to a high degree and maintain a professional image. Harley followers world wide will ride a Harley where ever they exist. Whether the visitors to Tobago, will have that type of motorcylist is the question. Regards Martin

Steve,

You must take into account, there are several styles and tastes in motorcycling, as do cars. Some have preferences for scooters, trail bikes, crutch rockets(sport bikes) and cruisers(Harleys). As I mentioned the size of the Harley Big twins I propose, have proven to be adaptable and successful to several Caribbean terrains. I will only rent it to experienced motorcyclists who would not drop it the first pot hole they encounter.

All motorcyclists are subject to high risk, however, stastistics prove that people who ride cruiser types(Harleys and others) have a better safety record. We don't ride fast as Glyn may think, we cruise (slower maybe) and enjoy the lovely Caribbean surroundings . To qualify to rent a cruiser, one must have a valid motorcycle licence, 25 years and maybe older, U.S$ 1,000 available credit on a credit card, safety briefing and test ride.We do things professionally, as Harley dealers.

I saw the bikes in Cannan, they offer another option in motorcycling, that's great! I spoke to them and I am willing to work along with them to build a safe and good image in motorcycling, as we do with other motorcyclists in trinidad.

Enough said. Your concerns are most welcomed.

Regards

Martin

Hi Martin

Please don’t take my comments as a negative – I truly wish you and your exciting new Full Throttle venture every success, both in Trinidad and on Tobago.

I am sure that there will be demand for the service, particularly if you can get “in” with the top hotels like the Coco Reef Resort, Blue Haven and Hilton – the sort of hotels where Harley owners and those who can afford the luxury stay.

I fully accept that different people like different types of bikes and totally hold my hand up to the fact that my personal preference for “crutch rockets” (what a brilliant term – I’ve never come across it before) is just me showing my age and hankering after the past. Of course sports bikes would be a total nightmare on Tobago and cruisers like the Harley are far more appropriate. My concerns were simply for your shiny machines. If they were mine, I would be sxxx-scared of putting someone I don’t know on top of one. However, as you say, it’s all down to the vetting and pre-hire training.

Just keep us all posted on developments. I would be more than delighted to give your service a myTobago review on my next visit. My credentials include 40 years and around a quarter-million miles of motorcycling on machines varying from off-road trial bikes through to production racers, on and off track, so hopefully I wouldn’t scratch the chrome.

Hi Martin and fellow easy riders.

What a novel idea. I know that this type of service works well, wherever it is offered. The chance to indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime experience, whilst on vacation, is too good to miss for enthusiasts.

Personally, I don't think that Tobago would be my ideal cruising venue - far too few open roads. Nevada, Florida Keys or Southern California - now we're talking (another unfulfilled lifetime ambition).

On the other hand, how about a 'chauffeur' service.
Tours of the island riding pillion? Now that would be a safer option.

Best wishes for your venture. I'll keep an eye (and ear) out for that Harley, next time we're over.

Cheers
Steve Pitts

Hi Martin,

Sounds good to me. I will be there later this month and would rent a Harley for a couple of days if the price is reasonable.

The posts in this forum are discussing the possibility of setting up the rental business, did u start?

Regards,

Geoff

Hi Geoff

Yes, Full Throttle have entered into a joint venture with Sheppy's Rentals. They have one machine available for rental. Sorry, don't know the exact model, but I've just written to Sheppy asking him.

Naturally the bike isn't available to all and Sheppy interviews prospective visitors before deciding whether they are suitable. You must be at least 25 years of age, have a full motorcycle licence and have US$1000 of available credit on a major credit card. The bike hires out at US$100 per day during the high season (1 Dec to 30 May) and US$80 during the low season.

I can tell you that the Harley represents a wonderful way of touring the flatter regions of Tobago. You can see pictures of me on the bike in http://www.mytobago.info/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1093

Thanks Steve,

I Ride a Honda Pan-European (1300cc V4) 80 miles a day (Hampshire to London and Back) and a Yamaha Wildstar (1600cc V-Twin) at the weekends (When the sun shines), also some way past 40 and qualify on other elements as well.

I guess more important will be whether it's rented out when I'm there. Perhaps u could put me in touch with Sheppy and we can work something out in principle, in advance. I guess you can see my email address and could sent it to Sheppy?

What are the roads like, I see from other posts that they have pot holes 'n' pigs everywhere, but you mention "wonderfull way of touring the flatter regions of Tobago", what's the problems with the non-flat bits?

Given that the Island is relativeley small, I was thinking of spending a day exploring on the Harley, must be a much nicer way to see the sights than from a car. We're staying at Coco Reef and I'm mostly looking forward to being lazy, and warm, but a ride round the Island sonds like a fun way to spend a day. Is it reasonable to tour the Island in one day? Probably there are some Good bits and some better bits and perhaps some bits that are just too like other bits to visit. Is there a list of sights that u've just got to see while you're there?

Too many questions already and some wildly off topic, so I'll leave it there for the moment. Thanks again for the quick response, the web site is good, makes me feel happy that we're staying at Coco Reef and the forum has a wealth of information you just wouldn't get any other way.

Kind Regards,

Geoff

Hi Geoff

You spotted the subtlety of that wording then. It’s difficult to explain when you don’t know the roads in Tobago. Don’t think Hampshire, think Lake District, then half the width of the roads and imagine the state if they haven’t been maintained for 20 years. None of the roads are wide enough to turn the Harley (or any big bike) round within the road width and it’s a big chunk of iron, so unless you're a lot stronger than me, you might find it a handful – particularly if you’re two up – as far as low-speed manoeuvring is concerned. I wish I’d had the time to try it up country in hillier terrain, but my two rides were both in the lowlands (Tobagonians say there are the “Lowlands” and the “nice lands”) in fairly level coastal terrain.

Yes, the roads are relatively poor once you get away from the Crown Point and Lowlands strip. Given the big wheel size of the Harley this shouldn’t prove an undue problem, provided your attention is on the road and not on the stunning scenery. THAT, to be honest, is the biggest problem with driving anything in Tobago, because it’s all too easy to take your eye off the road.

Yes, you could do a quick tour of the island in one day. You need to fully research our site to decide the sort of places that you would be interested in visiting, but have a look at our road map and you’ll get a general impression of the road layout.

You can book Sheppy’s Harley either direct - http://www.tobagocarrental.com - or through Yes Tourism - http://www.yes-tourism.com

Have fun!

Just a little more information for those interested in Sheppy's Harley:

The bike is a 2003 100th Anniversary Model Softail Deuce with a 1450cc (88 cu.in.) 2 cylinder Twin Cam88 engine and weighs in at 645lbs dry.

where is this full throttle located.. i'm trying to get a motor cycle rented for my other half for father's day next couple days .. we are in trinidad.. Greene's in arouca no longer rents motorcycles

Hi Cathy

This site is dedicated to Tobago, not Trinidad, so we don't have the same levels of expertise for the latter. However, I believe from Martin's post above that Full Throttle are located in Westmoorings, Trinidad.

Hope this helps.