Rent a bike on Hawaii
In
New York they head to Miami.
In the Northwest we usually just stay
home.
But, when you've finally had enough of winter and need to get out
and ride, perhaps you'll get a little tropical?
Hawaii is just the place!
The four main islands of Hawaii (Oahu, Hawaii, Maui and
Kauai) all offer Harley rentals.
On a recent visit to Kauai we took the
plunge and here's what we found.
Rentals
On Kauai there are two places to rent.
Each has it's
benefits and drawbacks.
This is what we discovered:
Ray's Motorcycle Rentals, Kapaa
Operated
by Ray and his son Ross, Ray's features only Harley's. Ray's is the original
rental company on the island starting up 13 years ago.
Prices start at
$100 for four hours and go up from there depending on the bike you select.
Additional hours are rated at about $15 per. All of Ray's bikes are
in top shape and typically they have six bikes on hand at the start of each
day. No advance reservations from the mainland excepted, but you can book
in advance once you're on the island.
Here's what you get for your money:
-
-
Gloves
-
Jacket
-
Glasses
-
$1,000 insurance deductible
-
Ray's custom map and his knowledge of the island
-
Choice of Sportsters, Heritage Softails, Road King or a
trike
Jumping on the success of Ray's, Activity Warehouse opened
a side business called Hawaiian Riders which rents exotic cars and
Harleys.
Prices on the HD's start at just $69 for three hours, but a bike
and helmet is about all you get for your money.
All bikes are in top shape
and they typically keep about nine bikes on hand.
The outlet has Softails
and Fatboys.
Your insurance deductible triples to $3,000 here!
Taking your ride
The
day we rode, Ray's wasn't willing to rent a bike on account of "iffy"
weather.
We went to Hawaiian Riders and had a bike in 15
minutes.
From Kapaa you have the choice of riding north to the end
of the road, or south to the end of the road. You cannot drive the entire
circumference of Kauai so you pick one direction or the other, or do both and
expect to have the bike out for the whole day.
The picture to the above left was taken at a
pullout.
Do not ride the bikes on dirt roads as they're not
made for it and often flood out.
As Ray puts it" If I have to get
you unstuck on a dirt road, I'll put you in the back of the El Camino with the
bike, even if it's raining, and you'll be charged extra accordingly."
To the South
If the weather shows signs of rain we suggest you head
south along the lower side of the island as it's typically drier there.
While the main roads will take you where you want to go, we recommend
sidetracking over to the Menehune Fish Pond, Koloa Town and through the Coffee
fields to the west.
Once you pass through Waimea you'll head up the ridge
toward Waimea Canyon Lookout.
Ascending upward to above 3,000 feet you'll
enjoy the twisties and the excellent handling ability of a Harley will jump out
at you.
Stop at the first lookout and have a peak at Hawaii's Grand Canyon
- an incredible site.
From there you may continue up the road to the end
and have a look at the Kalalau Valley lookout.
If there's fog, simply wait
a few minutes as it typically rolls in and out many times during an hour.
There's plenty of food stops along the way and a little pre planning will be
useful.
To the North
If
it's a beautiful day consider a ride north to Ke'e beach.
This trip will
offer you a lot of beach views and you'll ride past a dairy farm, lighthouse and
the site of where South Pacific was filmed.
There are no real alternate
routes so you'll be on the highway with everyone else.
Once past
Princeville the road gets much more twisted and stays that way for the next ten
miles until you reach the end.
Be sure to check out the excellent beach
there.
Tips
A few words on safety.
If you think no one sees you
when you're riding at home, wait till you ride in Hawaii.
Between the
locals and the tourists from retirement communities you can bet nobody knows you
exist on a motorcycle so as always, remember that everyone and everything is a
potential accident.
There is no helmet law in Hawaii but we strongly
recommend you wear one.
Also, tailgating is more common than pork at a
luau so we strongly recommend the alternate roads when possible and try to stay
calm when necessary.
You
may be covered on your existing insurance policy for a rental, but it's a good
idea to find out ahead of time.
That $3,000 deductible at Hawaiian Riders
could put a nasty dent in your next vacation fund if Eleanor from Sun City
whacks your bike.
If you're not covered on your own we highly recommend
renting from Ray's.
Bikes from Hawaiian Riders do not have keys unless you request one. They have yet to have had a theft, but it's not a bad idea to keep the bike in
your sight at all times when you're not on it.
Aloha
TM
