Cruise Hawaii - Bike rental - Any input?
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 186
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
Either rent from a dealer or go through the Hog Fly and Ride program. We were just there in Feb for two weeks, we were on Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island, and roade each island, we found Maui we loved, the beaches are grat but it is almost too small for any really good riding, Oahu going up to the norht shore was great, but the big island is large enough you can ride, acutally get in 6th gear, it has beaches, waterfalls, and volcanos, on the big island you can go to the southern most point in the US, at the tip of the big island.
And you want to have rain gear, if you rent through Hog or from the dealer they will have gear to use. On Oahu we rented from a private business and the bike ws a peice of trash. Both times through the dealer we had 2009's with low miles, and they we waiting for us, ready to go. Have a great time, and watch out for the crazy tourist cage drivers!
And you want to have rain gear, if you rent through Hog or from the dealer they will have gear to use. On Oahu we rented from a private business and the bike ws a peice of trash. Both times through the dealer we had 2009's with low miles, and they we waiting for us, ready to go. Have a great time, and watch out for the crazy tourist cage drivers!
I used to rent before I moved here, Kauai. I think Kauai Harley might be your only choice now and I think they give a good discount if you are a memeber of HOG.
There are some nice roads here off the beaten path but if you don't know where to go they can be hard to find. Waimea Canyon is the most popular and easy to get to.
Took a ride the other day with some tourist, turned out to be about 130 miles and didn't even make it to the North Shore. They commented they would not have found the roads we took them on.
There are ways to get around the traffic problems by going inland into residential areas some nice sights too and then back down ocean side. Depending on where you are from you might not think its traffic, former New Yorker here.
Kauai is small and some of the less traveled roads are tight and you have to watch for oncoming cars. You can't get lost its an island and safe so just take any road that looks interesting, main roads are OK.
Let me know if you come to Kauai, I've managed to put 9k miles here in 5 months, I'll tag along I don't need an excuse to ride.
There are some nice roads here off the beaten path but if you don't know where to go they can be hard to find. Waimea Canyon is the most popular and easy to get to.
Took a ride the other day with some tourist, turned out to be about 130 miles and didn't even make it to the North Shore. They commented they would not have found the roads we took them on.
There are ways to get around the traffic problems by going inland into residential areas some nice sights too and then back down ocean side. Depending on where you are from you might not think its traffic, former New Yorker here.
Kauai is small and some of the less traveled roads are tight and you have to watch for oncoming cars. You can't get lost its an island and safe so just take any road that looks interesting, main roads are OK.
Let me know if you come to Kauai, I've managed to put 9k miles here in 5 months, I'll tag along I don't need an excuse to ride.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 18
From: Upstate SC
Thanks for all the information. I think I will call the dealerships before I go and set simething up. Haven't decided on which island yet but will reread all your information and decide after talking with them. Thanks again
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Wife and I rented from a private place in O'ahu, the riding was awesome, sights and ocean side riding...spectacular....bike....60,000 mile Heritage that rattled, clunked, vibrated, wheel hopped, and put our asses to sleep inside of 15 minutes. This bike was the biggest piece of CRAP I have ever had to ride, the owner didn't like my comments and refused to swap the bike out, so we rode slow and as safe as possible given the circumstances. If I had to do it again, it would be the stealership for sure no questions. But still one heck of a memory all in all....
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 928
Likes: 2
From: Near Richmond VA.
Definitely rent from the dealerships and pay for the insurance that releives you of liability for damage. I have rented many times, Guam, San Diego, O'ahu etc... I go to Oahu a lot, in fact just got back yesterday and heading there 13July. I don't rent anymore when there as there wasn't enough riding for my taste. Don't get me wrong N. Shore etc is nice and I know a lot of off the beaten path places... But if I am to rent again it's gonna be Big Island.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
I've done it twice. On Oahu from and independent rental shop about two blocks from from the beach. I was staying in the Hawaiian Hilton Village both times, and it's very convenient.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Oak Harbor, WA
Oahu riding...
Dennis -
+1 for Dukes!! Great Bar, the best breakfast in town, and lunch and dinner is awesome as well!! I was too busy getting married there to ride but if you'd like, I have a very good friend that would gladly give you a tour if you choose to rent there. He rides Heritage Softtail and is a Navy Chief. Great guy - PM if you are interested and I'll contact him... BTW - great looking backrest you got there!!
+1 for Dukes!! Great Bar, the best breakfast in town, and lunch and dinner is awesome as well!! I was too busy getting married there to ride but if you'd like, I have a very good friend that would gladly give you a tour if you choose to rent there. He rides Heritage Softtail and is a Navy Chief. Great guy - PM if you are interested and I'll contact him... BTW - great looking backrest you got there!!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom
Verdad Gallardo
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
My buddy is here now and he rented a Road King from Kauai Harley. Bike was is nice shape, not a beater and you can pick it up has early has 8am and return at 5pm for a full day rental. We did a nice 150 mile ride and got some Huli Huli Chicken at road side cafe lol. Also HOG members get a discount and they treated my buddy really well.
Last edited by EricD10563; Jul 15, 2009 at 02:15 PM.