Scooter touring in Hawaii..?
 

I have about 10 days off vacation from Friday Nov 16 until Sunday Nov 25. By then it's usually wet and chilly here on the west coast of Canada, and although I commute on my motorcycle year-round, the weather is not exactly conducive to any lengthy rides.

I'm thinking of flying to Hawaii and renting a larger scooter. Flights from Victoria to Honolulu, with 7 nights in a 2-star hotel, are about $1100-$1200 including taxes and such. I found one scooter rental company that rents 200cc-250cc scooters for about $300 for 4 days: HawaiI Scooter Rentals | Hawaii Moped Rentals: Oahu Scooter Rental Specialists
These guys seem to have a decent reputation on tripadvisor.

I don't need to hang out in clubs or run up a huge bar bill. I would like to do some day-long rides out of the city and visit a few sites. I figure with cheap meals and a couple of beers a day, my total cost would be about $2000.

Here's some info I found for November weather in Hawaii:
Quote:
November – Generally a transition month between summer and winter, with weather of both seasons common. The first real winter storms to the North and NW send down a cold front or two, with some showery spells, especially after the middle of the month. Winter storms also more regularly send large waves onto the North and West shores. Temperatures begin to dip noticeably (before you start packing your down jackets….please realize that when I say "dip down", I mean from the high 80′s down to the middle 80′s! :-) . November in some years begins the rainy season. Tradewinds are blowing on the average 64% of the time. Sea water temperature averages about 77F degrees

Have any of you ever done some riding in Hawaii? I think it might be an interesting trip as I have never spent any time in Hawaii. I have done long-term motorcycle rentals in places such as Australia, New Zealand, and India.

Hi Bruce,

I lived in Hawaii for six years back in the 80's. I'm sure it's changed since then but the weather in Oahu should be quite nice in November. Mind you it is high 80's F in the summer and low 80's F in the winter.

While I would prefer to ride on the Big Island of Hawaii with it's varied terrain and many backroads, there is certainly enough to keep you occupied on Oahu for a short winter vacation. If a storm swell is happening and the surf's up on the North Shore around Waimea bay, you may be amazed to see what it actually looks like when someone surfs a thirty foot wave.

I can think of worse places to escape the BC drizzle and spend 10 days basking in the tropics.

Have fun!
John Downs

I have thought of going to another island, but the cheapest flights are to Honolulu. Going to another island adds a few hundred dollars to the cost, and I can't see spending the money unless it is for a longer trip than a week.

Plus, I can't seem to find anyone on an island other than Oahu who rents out a mid-size bike: on Hawaii you have a choice of either a 49cc scooter or a Harley. One is too small, the other is too big and too expensive.