In Reply to: Bike posted by Nat and Matt on Thursday, 4. June 2009 at 09:38 Bali Time:
I think you will find most people who rent bikes in Bali reluctant to let you take a bike over to Lombok (assuming you tell them) One reason is Lombok has had a reputation for bike thefts in the past, the other is you might just decide to leave it there, when you do. (It does happen!) The road from Lembar Harbour down to Praya is extremely busy and doesnt compare to the roads in Bali. In Lombok there are many cidomos (horse carts), chickens, dogs, goats, on the roads there is much more to look out for than in Bali and i would say generally the standard of driving is much worse. I wouldnt fancy that road as my first experience f driving in Lombok. You wont all get on the one bike over to Lombok anyway so I would say rent there.
The roads around Kuta are much quieter.
The same goes with bringing your rental car over from Bali. Many car rental companies wont allow you. Should you bring the car or the bike you will definitely need to have the vehicle papers as they are checked at the harbours.
GaryD mentions sealice on Kuta beach below. I lived in Kuta Lombok for 10 years ( the last 2 years on Bali but still go back as my business is there) and was at the beach several times a week and never had a problem with sealice, so dont let that put you off. Having said that Kuta isnt the best beach in the area. My personal favourite is Mawun, followed be Segare and Tanjung Aan.