Yes, winter in the inland Pacific Northwest does not allow for regular motor cycle riding.
About this time of year with my winterized vehicles cleaned, polished, and inactive I start thinking about a trip.

I've never motor cycled in Hawaii.

It seems motorcycles are available for rent in a variety of locations in the Hawaiian Islands.

Do any of you all have experience in winter riding in Hawaii?
Which island(s) offers the better rides?
Do any of you have experience in renting a motorcycle in Hawaii?

Any and all comments will be appreciated.

 

I've done it twice. Once for three days, as our primary mode of transportation on the big island of Hawaii, and once for a day trip on Maui. Really enjoyed it and would do it again in a heartbeat. It rains a lot in the islands so plan on it. Rentals in the islands will include rain gear, the only hiccup is your comfort riding on wet roads. Congestion is bad on Oahu so might think twice about renting there if you don't like sitting in heat and humidity on a motorcycle. My first choice would be the big island because you have room to roam and the volcano to see. Second choice is Maui, the coastal roads including road to Hana, are awesome. Never been to Kauai, but not congested so should be a good choice. Rental experience was similar to any other rental I've done through the dealerships or Eagle Rider.

 

We rented for 3 days on Maui in January of 2009. It was great riding weather! The road to Hana is cool as well as the road on the north shore. I would suggest riding the north shore clockwise though. It is a very narrow road with many blind curves. By riding clockwise you are on the inside lane. So if you get run off the road you ride into the mountain instead of over the cliff!!

Personally though, if I were to do it again I would drive a car to Hana. Hard to stop and hike and jump in the ocean or waterfall when you are wearing boots and jeans. Being in a car would be much more convenient for all those beautiful waterfalls!

 

 

 

I've rented from Big Island HD the last 3 Christmas's, great folks and awesome riding.

Not rainy at all on the Kona side, but if you go to the Hilo side prepare to get wet. Amazing views though. Highway 250 is a great ride.

 

Rented 2 bikes on the Big Island (Kona.) Spent 10 hours, riding the perimeter in a counter clockwise direction. Awesome experience, we had. I rode a street glide, she rode a softail Fatboy low. Based on what I've heard about the traffic, I'd never visit Oahu. 10 lanes of gridlock is not my idea of a vacation. Saw it every morning on the news. And we were on a different island! About 285 miles all the way around.

 

Hi Hawaii is amazing I have been to the 4 main islands. I didn't see many on a bike being honest as like someone else said you might want to stop lots do would be easier by car. In order though it would go Big Island, Maui, Oahu, Kauai. Kauai is beautiful but not much road. Oahu is really busy, Maui as well. Big Island would have the most road. Hope this helps, if you go let me come with you 😂 it's my fab place I've ever been to xx

 

I have rented on all the 4 major islands. These are my thoughts rated 1 to 4.

#1 - Maui
I don't understand the draw of it, talk to anyone and the odds are they go to Maui... over and over again and never visit the other islands. This was my favorite place to rent a bike though. Do the Road to Hana, but prepared to do it twice... once on the bike and another in the car where you can stop and jump into the water.

#2 - Big Island
Granted I am a little biased on this one. I am drawn to Kona and could live there in an instant. I also have a friend or two there so I when I rented, I got to ride with friends and stay at their house once the ride was over, grilled some steaks and listened to those DAMN COQUI FROGS ALL NIGHT. Beautiful island though, lots of places to stop and enjoy and a wide range of climates. Last time I rented there, the person that rented before me, left their camera in the saddlebag, so we max'd out their memory card with our trip pictures before sending it back to them. I hope they were amused as we were.

#3 - O'ahu
I liked it. Traffic doesn't bother me too much and traffic really doesn't bother me when visiting Hawai'i. Tantalus Drive is must ride. You get to get go from Seal Level to 2,000 feet and back down again. Someone mentioned going to the North Shore counter clock wise... screw that! go counter clockwise so you got a better view of the ocean and stop at the Shrimp Trucks and Shave Ice shacks.

#4 - Kauai
The Garden Island... the most beautiful in the chain. Truly a Honeymooner destination.... just don't rent a bike there. There is one main road... and its top speed is 50mph. It WILL take an entire day to go from one end to the other and back to where you started. When I rented I asked the guy what's the record mileage on a 24hr rental and he mentioned 200 miles. I told him, "I got this" and left. It was a challenge to break that 200 miles.

General thoughts on any island:

• If you know you are going into a twisty section of road and you like a "brisk pace". Slow down or pull over and wait for a local to pass and try to follow them. Don't worry, you will know it's a local when they go by.
• Never use your horn. It's just rude and uncalled for.
• You may think you are the fastest person on the Road to Hana... until a local passes you on a quad like you are standing still. (personal experience)
• You will get rained on.
• Slow down and just enjoy the moment and where you are at.
• Did you know that there are no interstate highways on the islands of Hawai'i? True fact.

 

All these answers made me wanna look into it. Just a question: do you guys remember how much your paid for the bike? couldn't find it in eaglerider (wrote hawaii and nothing showed up )