Well, it's not a dual sport but the wife wanted to try something new so we picked up the new CBR250R. Fun little bike and actually handles really well on the twisty mountain roads. We offer it for rent at just $100 bucks a day. Inexpensive way to cruise the Kona coast in style! Picking it up from Kisers:
Wife and I are in the process of deciding what to do/where to go for a week in September this year. We enjoy Adventure-Style riding and camping decidedly OFF the beaten path. I ride a 990A, she rides a DR200. Seems like your DR650/DRZ400 for me, and maybe the KLX250 for her (lowered please; she is 5'4") could just be the ticket We've never been to HI, can we camp many places? We prefer dispersed (free/nowhere/anywhere) camping here in our Forests, ...but does this type of camping exist much on the Islands? We hate the classic big State-type campgrounds as much as multi-floor mega-hotels. and...can you offer enough route info to keep us busy for 3-4 days looking for the stuff normal tourists don't get to see? Not "trails", but bad & dirty roads and the like Last question: Do YOU two wanna visit Oregon for a similar experience? (see my sig line link)
Hey Apple Jam, you guys sound like my kinda people! You certainly have the right idea in mind and I can absolutely turn you on to back "road" routes, muddy trails, rainforests, lava trails, mountain summits, you name it. There are a handful of permitted type camp areas; some in forests, some on da beach. Aside from those areas, you can find plenty of places to throw a tent. I could keep you busy for weeks... 3-4 days would be no problem but still give you enough time to at least check out the primo spots. To answer your question... hell yes! Funny I just saw this post as I just got off the bike after doing a ride to Waipio Valley this afternoon. While I was at the valley overlook eatin my apple, a guy started asking me about the bike, etc... turns out he is from Oregon and we start chatting about the awesome riding I've heard about there. Sounds like you are the guy to show me around when/if I can make it over there! Speaking of guided tours... I am actually working on logistics of offering them myself. I should have more info soon but I'd be more than happy to head out with you guys as a guide if you're interested. The riding here is unbelievable and you should certainly come over if you can!
Aloha Jason! I'll be picking up a TW200 from Kiser on the 27th. I figure at some point I *may* want to do the Mauna Kea thing. Any thoughts or experience with getting one of these up there? Looking forward to stopping by your place and meeting you! Mahalo, doc
Hey doc! Congrats in advance on the new bike, you'll love that little TW. Not sure how it will do at elevation but hey, there's only one way to find out! Let me know when you're ready and I'll run up the mountain wit ya. I know our KLX250 struggles with power deficiency at high elevations but it can make it to the top... Slowly. Call me anytime, lets ride. 808-445-6722
Update! We are now offering daily guided tours! We're on a BIG island, there are many places to ride and lot's to see... some of the best areas aren't even on a map and if they are, you might have a tough time finding them due to the lack of signage and not being familiar with the island. So let us lead the way while you kick back and just enjoy the ride of a lifetime! http://www.hiadv.com/guided-tours/
Uh-Oh.....looks like we might be coming to HI this September...... Obviously, this is subject to wifey's opinion/mood/thoughts, etc, (I haven't mentioned it to her yet).... and having been married almost 25 years... ....I know just barely enough to not speak for her But, Oh my....this sounds awefully good to me
Haha, well I'm sure it won't take too much arm twisting to convince the wife to come to Hawaii! You will absolutely not regret it... perfect riding weather and the scenery 'aint half bad either
Our current KLR rents so well we decided to pick up another! Getting started on break in miles right away so it should be ready to rent in less than a week Come ride in paradise with us!
Hah!!! Perfect riding weather my ass! The scariest ride of my life was on the Big Island. Nothing quite like riding through Volcano NP as it's getting dark, it's raining (duh, rain forest) and the visor is fogged, my glasses are fogged, and visibility (if I could have seen decently through the visor and glasses) is about 50'. Couldn't see any scenery either!! Hopefully, I'll be out to visit The Momster of Mountain View sometime next spring, if so, I may very well rent something from ya.
Ya I can relate. I had a very similar experience about halfway through Saddle road a few months back except visibility was prolly about 5' with no clearing in sight. But hey, it's all part of the adventure Let me know when you make it out and I'll set you up with some defogger for your visor!
My wife and I just rented the KLR and did a 2-up ride out to south point and green sands beach. Fantastic ride! We had great weather there and back too. South of Kona has some nice twisty sections of road and goes thru some nice old towns. After that, some long straight sections to get you to south point turnoff. Fun little single lane road down to the ocean and nice country scenery all the way. Then the fun begins - the lava rock and dirt road to green sands beach! This is a challenging road for two up riding in sections on the KLR, but we made it ok with a few bashes to the skid plate. The green sands beach was a sight to see. Very remote place that only trucks or dual sport can get to, or a really long hike. Well worth the ride. On the way back, my wife opted to get a ride in a truck from a local and I got to play on the KLR for a while!!! Theres lots of trails out there, and for a while, it felt Dakar like, with weaving in and out of the different trails crossing paths with the truck that my wife was in. All in all, a great day of riding. I highly recommend taking a trip to the Big Island and hooking up with Jason for some dual sport riding.
Just got back from the Big Island, rode approximately 1,000 miles in a week on a DR650 and DRZ400 Jason is a stand up guy, and it was a pleasure to business with him. A few pics If you are thinking about doing a rental, contact Jason for sure. Dual sports are the very best way to explore the island
I rented a DR650 from Jason sometime in February I think.. for a 24 Hour trip around the big island. Real stand up dude. He came and dropped the bike off as I didn't have transportation on the island and picked it up the next day. Super awesome solo trip to the top of the volcano at 3:00 AM to see the stars, watch the sunrise and saw a lot of other awesome scenery as well. Two thumbs up from this guy!
Aloooohaaa ADV'ers! It's been a while since I've posted and figured now would be a good time. We've got an all new website, online booking, new private guided tours, new fleet and new logo! Lot's of amazing adventures going on here around the Big Island... come join us for the ride of a lifetime! Check out the new website: http://www.hiadv.com/