I am considering buying a scooter or moped to assist me in my transportation needs this summer (and beyond) in Spain. I am American and will have a USA drivers lic. Is this recommended? Can I get from city to city on backroads this way? Is it a good way to explore the country? How about the cost of a scooter or moped (used)? I have yet to visit Spain so I really have no idea. Oh yeah - I will mainly be in Barcelona.

Hey Jason. I will be in Spain too this summer. I was there last summer as well. Although a scooter may be fine for riding around one city I don't think I would recommend it for longer trips like city to city driving. They don't go very fast and with the way people drive in Spain I doubt it would be all that safe.

thanks jensdog. I was just thinking that instead of taking the metro everywhere, it would give me more freedom. I'm the adventurous type anyway - could be fun cruising through little offbeaten towns, without the hassle of a car. Is it ok with a usa lic?

While I don't know about the purchasing of mopeds in Spain, I can tell you that you shouldn't have any problems buying a used one. There are SO many in Madrid, but when we went to Barcelona in 1999 we thought ZOWY!THEY seemed to have double the number than Madrid! Most of them, VERY Unfortunately, are SO obnoxiously loud, but that's because most kids take off the mufflers to make them that way. And you can park them anywhere and are less likely to be stolen, probably, than a bicycle. Just be VERY careful. As jensdog mentions, 2-wheelers get VERY little respect on the city streets and less on open roads.

Saludos, MadridMan

I believe you can have up to a certain size or so (no estoy seguro...) without a bike license, however more powerful ones require it. They are good for getting around town but longer distances will be impractical as motos don't go very fast.

Before making too many plans, have a peek at this. It may help.......
http://www.madridman.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000261.html , Titled: "Have the rules changed? (residence card needed to buy an auto/motorcycle?)"

[This message has been edited by MadridMan (edited 03-29-2001).]

Hate to disillusion you, but you need to be a resident in order to buy a car or moto. And then you have to get a spanish drivers license. You can, however, rent a car (not sure about motos) with a US driving license. And I agree with jensdog that you can't ride motos outside of the city--they're not even allowed on highways, and they're dangerous because they go so much slower than the speed of traffic. You'd have to get a real motorcycle to do anything on the highway.

Check out renting, its not as expensive as you might think. Especially if you just get a car for trips instead of trying to do regular commuting with it.

Well Jason if I almost get run down by any crazy americans on mopeds while I am in Barcelona I will know who to blame! When are you going to be there. Maybe we can hook up and take in the sites.

May 7 - Aug 7, jensdog, and beyond if things work out. I'll be looking for work towards the end of summer to extend my stay. Any job offers are welcome!