I’ve heard that most big bike rental contracts specify that you have to pay the full cost of the bike if you even scratch it, or something like that.
I’ve heard that most big bike rental contracts specify that you have to pay the full cost of the bike if you even scratch it, or something like that.[/quote]
Do you at least get to keep it after you scratch it? 
If that is the case I will try something smaller or not at all. Thank you.
No ARC, no rental, at least for motos. You can rent scooters without an ARC… outside Taipei.
Thanks maunaloa!
Usually. Don’t count on it though. Penghu last fall, for example, was a no go. Pingtung two years back, no way. Kenting yes. Ruiesuei yes but with much pleading.
Hi,
I’m planning on taking a trip around the island in August sometime. I’m not sure of the route yet, but the current plan is to go clockwise (from Tainan) taking mainly coastal roads. I noticed there aren’t any recent posts on this so was just wondering if anyone had any favourite route to suggest (otherwise I’ll just pick at random from my map). I’ve heard the Suao-Hualien Highway is pretty bad, are there any coastal alternatives (or any time of the week/day that may be less busy)?
Also, how long do people usually take (I just read a post about someone (Mordeth?) taking a day each way Taipei-Kending, although I plan to take a bit longer than that)? I’d prefer not to ride for more than about 3-4 hours a day (Kending-Tainan in a day is long enough for me), and will be making lots of stops. We’ve done the Souther Cross-Island Highway (in a car), and been to Sun-Moon Lake, Alishan, Taroko etc before so they won’t be on our itinerary.
There will be two of us on a scooter, although I’m still tossing up between taking my 100cc Kymco Easy (it’s been down to Kenting and around Tainan and Kaohsiung counties) or renting a 125-150cc (probably the better option, even if it’s just to get more space to put stuff and a more comfortable ride for the passenger).
Thanks for any ideas you have, links to blogs etc from people who’ve done it would also be welcomed.
There’s no real alternative to the Suao-Hualien Highway, but it’s not THAT bad.
For an idea of some times and routes, you could check out a thread about a trip I did a while ago. The times are for riding pretty fast. You won’t want to do that with a passenger.
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=73440&hilit=+ultimate&start=0
If you’re just doing a coastal trip,there’s really only two big choices to make. Hualien to Taidong - coast road or rift valley. I prefer the rift valley (inland) route. You’ll get plenty of good coats roads anyway. Then you need to decide what W Coast route to take up to Taipei. I’m not so familiar with these, but I guess most of the time the number three will better than a coastal route. If you want something much more ofrf the beaten track I’m sure you could find smaller mountain roads a lot of the way. Like you could take a road up from Neiwan, in Xinzhu, down to the number 7 near Baling, then take that past fuxing over to the 110 to Ankent and up to Taipei from Xindian.
I agree, the Su’ao-Hualian highway is not that bad. Unless you drive a car on the weekend, but having a bike makes it easier to manoeuvre. Look out for plenty of trucks on the weekday, and plenty of crotch rockets on the weekends. Heading south from Taipei I will skip the west coast. Boring, industrial, and very windy. Take the provincial number 3 inland. It is a nice ride all the way. Take your time and dont push yourself too much, allow time for scenic stops and excursions along the way. Plan for at least 7 days. and enjoy! As to your choice of scooter, your ass will get numb either way, but probably a 150 with a big seat will be better for the passenger…
Thanks for the suggestions, especially regarding the 3 up to Taipei. I might also take some random side routes too so I’ll let you know if I find anything interesting. We should have about 9-10 days so won’t be in too much of a rush.
The reason for choosing the coastal route down from Hualien to Taidong is we’ve taken the other route before so thought it might be nice to see something different (although it was a nice drive).
I’ll post back regarding how it goes, although we’re not going until August.
Awesome thread ! Glad someone dug it up. Id never read it before.
oom Zoom
I bought a local travel guide at 7-eleven today: ‘ji che huan dao’ (sorry I can’t type Chinese on this computer).
It looks useful and is full of maps (50 pages specifically of maps and smaller maps of towns on the relevant info pages) and side routes, places to try local specialties, places to stay, local sights, plus whatever’s ‘famous’ in the region.
If you can read a bit of Chinese (or even just match up place names on a bilingual map), this might be useful for others wanting to ride around the island (it also includes all the cross-island highways too). There was also a smaller version for cyclists: ‘jiao ta che huan dao’.
does it have nay pingyin on it?
@alexW: suao-hualien road isnt that bad, just be extra alert. =) and i would suggest to take the east coast scenic road HIGHWAY 11, for me its one of taiwan’s beautiful road. I mean riding by near the coast is really nice. =) and i would suggest a 125cc, because it has bigger compartment. =) ive done so much riding here in the east coast up to he huan shan because im residing at hualien. goodluck on your trip. =)
No pinyin in the book, but I have a ‘Taiwan Map King - Map of Taiwan’ which is bilingual (but uses really weird pinyin) for when I need to match up places. I also got my Chinese teacher to help find some places and circle his recommendations, but we can read enough ourselves to know what there is in each place etc. Lots of pictures of tasty food and things to see/do. The maps are pretty good, with a fair amount of detail and all the numbers marked. That said, it probably wouldn’t be useful if you don’t read any Chinese.
We’re planning on taking the 11 down the East Coast (we’ve already done the 9 before).
We’ve already decided to take a 125cc as it’s got a bigger seat and more room to put stuff, and that way I can sell my scooter and transfer registration etc beforehand (we flight out of Taiwan the day after we get back).
I’m really excited now, we’ll be starting on August 2nd and have about 9 days to do it. I’ll let you know how it goes.
goodluck man! as for me ill be doing it by bicycle. haha il start on the 3rd and hopefully be back at hualien again after 2 weeks haha,
The movie youtube.com/watch?v=U1ErG8mZVL4
Taiwan East Coast Scooter Trip 東台灣海岸摩托車之旅.
Driving my scooter from Taipei to Kaohsiung along the East Coast. 騎我的摩托車從台北到高雄沿着東海岸.
Sorry it took so long to post but we’ve been travelling. Here’s my trip report for my trip around the island in August:
excellent-adventure.blogspot.com … n-dao.html
You should also be able to find out about one of our trips to Meinong in the ‘Older Posts’.
If you want to see all the photos, have a look at:
axiconphotos.shutterfly.com/2609
We haven’t put any videos up yet but it may happen one day.
I just wrote the same here viewtopic.php?f=55&t=73440&start=30#p1236181
as I am not sure where the information is easier to find I just quote myself. I hope that is ok.
[quote=“Moerf”]I just recently toured around to Sun Moon Lake, Yushan National Park and Alishan and to Hehuanshan from Taichung and wanted to share my experiences with everyone. I have made about 90 minutes of movies while driving.
As I do not want to link everything again, please just have a look at my (usually German) blog for that.
robertintaiwan.blogger.de/stories/1740956/
robertintaiwan.blogger.de/stories/1740956/
Here is the route
maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8& … 45976&z=12[/quote]
This is a great thread, with good reading. Anything new on this topic should go here so anyone not yet reading this thread can read it .
I visit Taiwan every year or two to visit my wife’s family. Last year rented a motorcycle and toured the east coast. Also rode around in Maolin, Kaohsiung. Loved it so much that I up and bought a motorcycle so I could take a tour every visit without the problem of trying to rent without an ARC (and without insurance - yikes).
I’ve been planning to ride from Kaohsiung across the Southern Cross Highway (20) to Taitung, then along the coast back to Kaohsiung, perhaps via the 199. But I read from another thread http://www.forumosa.com/taiwan/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=106497&p=1388229&hilit=southern+cross#p1388229 that the road remains closed. Someone please tell me that a motorcycle can cross it? (I’ll be on a 150cc cruiser-style motorcycle - not a scooter.) Even if it’s closed to most people, I really really want to, plus I’m a nice guy, so that’s probably enough to make the road available, right?
Google streetview images appear to be post-Morakot, so that’s what made me think it’s open. Anybody try riding Southern Cross Highway 20 on a motorcycle in the last couple months?