Postby Kilkis » Sun Sep 06, 2015 5:03 pm
I wasn't recommending anybody should hire a 600 cc bike, simply commenting that I currently ride one. When I used to visit Crete on holidays I found 250 cc was a good compromise and I prefer a traditional road bike style. Not too powerful that it was likely to get you into trouble but powerful enough that you could get out of trouble when necessary. Personally I would avoid scooters. I had one back in the 60s and, having rode both, a motorbike is far more stable. I would also avoid chopper style bikes. The feet forward riding position looks cool but it is not comfortable. You can't take the weight on your feet briefly to relieve pressure on your bum. They also have a nightmare rear seat. Trail type bikes have some advantages, in that the long stroke suspension soaks up Crete's far from smooth road surfaces, but I don't find the narrow, steeply sloping seats very comfortable.
One good thing about April/May is that the roads have had a thorough hosing down in the winter so the surface is as good as it gets. In September they have had several months to accumulate a protective coating of diesel and tyre rubber. Add water from a sudden downpour and you have an almost perfect skid pan.
I think tourists and ex-pats, who are new to Greece, don't really understand that every local has some sort of direct/indirect contact who can make tickets disappear. That's why they are so lax about things like crash helmets, parking, one way streets etc. They still get stopped and issued with tickets but they rarely need to pay them. The visitor doesn't have this luxury. Definitely a case of "When in Rome, DON'T do as the Romans do". Interestingly the locals are far more cautious and law abiding when they are away from their locale since their contacts won't usually work when they are away from home.
Warwick