Bike hire in Raro

[Jantar]

My wife and I are going over there for 10 days in September. I understand I'll have no problems in getting a Raro licence and hiring a GN125, but my wife hasn't ridden solo for 22 years, and that was on Norfolk Is where no licence was required. What does she have to do to hire a Gn or smilar in Raro?

Just to ensure everyone that we are doing it right, I'm taking her through a Basic handling course on a GN250 so she won't be quite as rusty.

[DangerMice]

From my rusty memory of 2 years ago, you needed a bike license (avis desk chick), scooters were just a car license even though the scoot we had was a 150cc

[strata]

Since you already have your 6F, you'll be fine to convert straight over without sitting a test, although you'll still need to apply and pay the $20 fee. Your wife will need to take an easy, short test that takes approx. 5 minutes.

The hire place can normally write you a temporary licence, valid to around mid-day on the next day. You then go to Police Headquarters (a large building a bit down the road from the supermarket, you can't miss it) and fill out a form and pay the fee. They then give you a nice shiny plastic licence that rivals the quality of our own (even if they can't spell your name right ).

Enjoy the trip, it's a great place

[PrincessBandit]

Oooooh! We had a great time getting round on the ginnys in Raro (I personally found most of the scooters just a tad too tall for me )
Getting a license over there is just pretty much about filling in an application and parting with $20 each. And it lasts for 2 years from your last birthday so mine was valid for several months longer than Balu's - not that it did me any good as we haven't been back within that time frame for me to still use it...

Anyone you know who has a wee ginny for her to get in a few refresher rides in before you go? We saw hardly anyone on geared bikes while there, it really was everywhere you looked. The ginny I hired was in reasonable condition but Balu's was pretty much a p.o.s. with very dodgy braking and rusty broken indicators so it's probably more a case of casting your experienced eye over what's on offer.

Have an awesome time!

[Maha]

Oooooh! We had a great time getting round on the ginnys in Raro (I personally found most of the scooters just a tad too tall for me )
Getting a license over there is just pretty much about filling in an application and parting with $20 each. And it lasts for 2 years from your last birthday so mine was valid for several months longer than Balu's - not that it did me any good as we haven't been back within that time frame for me to still use it...

Anyone you know who has a wee ginny for her to get in a few refresher rides in before you go? We saw hardly anyone on geared bikes while there, it really was everywhere you looked. The ginny I hired was in reasonable condition but Balu's was pretty much a p.o.s. with very dodgy braking and rusty broken indicators so it's probably more a case of casting your experienced eye over what's on offer.

Have an awesome time!

You have to do group ride around the block also with the cop following (well I did in 04') just make sure you stop at the only stop sign in Avarua. In saying that, we know of a female who failed a couple of years ago.
We opted for the Scooters...heaps of storage under that seat for Reef shoes/Goggles/Towel and Camera that we took with us everyday.

[Maha]

My wife and I are going over there for 10 days in September. I understand I'll have no problems in getting a Raro licence and hiring a GN125, but my wife hasn't ridden solo for 22 years, and that was on Norfolk Is where no licence was required. What does she have to do to hire a Gn or smilar in Raro?

Just to ensure everyone that we are doing it right, I'm taking her through a Basic handling course on a GN250 so she won't be quite as rusty.

If I can suggest one place to go and spend an evening...its here http://www.waterlinerestaurant.com/

The owner/cook Chris is a real cool guy..you basically sit and eat on his front deck. He cooks on the B-B-Q while you drink.
We just happened upon the place while out riding around one day.
There was a sandwich Board on the road side that caught my eye...so down the driveway we go, and there was the menu, nailed to a tree. Happy that we did.
After the meal, he envited us in to sit at the bar, listening to this blues music and drink Baileys..........or Rum.
Cool night. Was only a 5 mins ride to the resort.

[sinfull]

Dpex might lend you his.... no wait too old !

[Fast Eddie]

is it illegal to get trollied on rum then ride back to your resort?

I'm picturing a pretty relaxed island haha. my gf was born in raro and wants to go back pretty soon. sounds cool to ride bikes round there

[nzmikey]

Take note : The now have a Police Laser over there ..... yeah ok it is a 50cc but the speed limit is 40kph without a helmet .
My olds came back last week & told me they sit on the new strip of blacktop outside the airport with the laser . & what dad was amazed at was the fact the new road was smoooooth & better than 1/2 the roads that are over here

[Jantar]

....
Anyone you know who has a wee ginny for her to get in a few refresher rides in before you go? .....!

Yes, The Chatto Creek club owns a GN250 just for this type of thing. So we'll use that to give her some practice.

[nonferrous]

My wife and I are going over there for 10 days in September. I understand I'll have no problems in getting a Raro licence and hiring a GN125, but my wife hasn't ridden solo for 22 years, and that was on Norfolk Is where no licence was required. What does she have to do to hire a Gn or smilar in Raro?

Just to ensure everyone that we are doing it right, I'm taking her through a Basic handling course on a GN250 so she won't be quite as rusty.

We had a recent Raro holiday
1. Hire a GN rather than scotter - they handle better off road
2. All the GN's are pretty rough so crash damage is hard to spot
3. Do the dirt track hill climb and circuit up by the hospital - my brother flipped his scooter and fixing all the plastic wasted half a day
4. Fixing smashed scooter requires glue + sandpaper + spray paint from local hardware shop
5. Do not do Quad bike hire - the equipment is rubbish and defective mechanicals flipped me off
6. Don't ride while pissed even though you can
7. Anyone can get a licence

Its a great holiday destination and we will be back

[Berries]

I'd go for a scooter myself, purely for the underseat storage for your towel, suncream, condoms and coconuts etc.

My one tip is if you are going to be a good samaritan to a pissed up local don't do it on a Saturday night. They refused to turn the x-ray machine on for me even though I had my skull fractured in three places. Cunts.

[Oakie]

And don't forget to buy a souvenir T shirt from the police station when you get your license. Oh, the Avarua market on Saturday morning is well worth a couple of hours of your time. For a change of dining pace, Bamboo Jacks just on the edge of town do some damned fine asian food.

[vifferman]

There's not a lot of point in getting a bike - a scroter will do. The island's only summat like 40km right round after all, so there's not exactly a lot of riding to do. OTOH, if you stray off the seal and onto some of the tracks that go into the island's centre, a scroter might be a bit more unwieldy.

[Oakie]

There's not a lot of point in getting a bike - a scroter will do. The island's only summat like 40km right round after all, so there's not exactly a lot of riding to do. OTOH, if you stray off the seal and onto some of the tracks that go into the island's centre, a scroter might be a bit more unwieldy.

Mmm. nice waterfall at the end of one of those tracks on the south east.