Been over some 10 yrs since last time I was there, and I rememeber parking the car and walking a very long distance. I'm not comfortable doing that with the bike, being afraid of thefts. And considering the time of the yr, Xmas to New Yrs week, it'll be packed. Is there a secure lot there for bikes? My thoughts are to just ride down and then back to Marathon if questionable, or avoid it all together.
Thoughts?
Thanks

 

ARe you just going to be there for the day? Or overnight? If overnight, most hotels/B&Bs have secure or monitored parking. If for the day, there are a bunch of motorcycle parking areas in all the main tourist areas. Park in one of those or park along Duval street at the eastern end. You can usually find space on Duval and there's so much foot traffic that it deters most thieves.

My folks live in Marathon and go to key west on their bikes all the time and they've never had any problems whatsoever. Seeing as you have a 2015 SGS, why are you worried about thieves? Everything on that bike locks up and it has the security system.

 

Anything can happen anyplace.
More likely to have a tourist or drunk sit on bike for a picture than a theft.

 

I am down there frequently. Give us some more details.
Staying the night?
Where? (send me a private message if more comfortable)

Everything going to be in your bags?

Damn those questions make me sound like a criminal..

During the day, park off Duval in metered parking on the north side of the island and you should be fine and not have to walk far at all.

Park south or east and you are hoofing it a ways.

I've never had anyone mess with my bike or stuff strapped to it. (I don't have a bagger), but it is always wise to be cautious.

Key west still has a homeless population, but not as large as it was 20 years ago.

 

I have trailered my bike down behind my coach quite a few times .. And have ridden and parked many times on duval and the sides streets.. .. Never had a problem...

 

Guys it is an Island with only one road going in and out. Never had a problem while there.
Unless someone puts your bike on a boat an it is Cuba bound!!

 

Been there countless times on the bike. Never had a problem. With the exception of the the drunks doing the Duval crawl, it's a pretty decent, mellow town. You'll be fine.

 

This. Not my cup of tea.

 

Oh, and word of advice if you are riding down during Hell Week....try and time your ride so that you are heading south on the overseas highway and in key west by 11am or so. Any later and you will be stuck in crawling traffic.

Tourism in the keys has been high all year thanks to a strong economy...most people I've talked to down there are expecting larger crowds than they've seen in 8-10 years for hell week this year. Looks like I won't be leaving the island once I get to my folks place on Christmas eve...I hate crowds and traffic.

 

Love Key West so much. Never had problems there. Just park your bike where it's visible in every angle and aspects of surrounding businesses and crowds.


Thorey