Hawaii -- motorcycle destination advice

Message

Spiff · #1 Unread post by **Spiff** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 4:07 am

Hi,

I'll be in Hawaii on business in February 2006, and I'm arriving in Honolulu 4 days before my meetings begin.

I'll be renting a motorcycle on Oahu for 3 or 4 days, and would welcome any and all advice on where to take the bike.

What would make a good day trip from Honolulu?

Also, I'd welcome any practical advice on conditions and regulations unique to Hawaii/Oahu. You know, like, are Plumeria petals really slippery? Stuff like that...

Thanks.

P.S. I've been to Oahu before, and have seen Pearl Harbor (although I may want to see it again), climbed Diamond Head and I drove halfway around the island (H3 to the north, and then up to Chinaman's Hat and then back to Honolulu). Also, I have a sister and a cousin who live in the Kaneohe Bay area, north of Honolulu, so I might have two home bases while I'm there: Honolulu and Kailua.

Spiff · #2 Unread post by **Spiff** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 2:50 am

One week and no replies...

Looks like I'm on my own then!

Seetrout · #3 Unread post by **Seetrout** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 3:11 pm

I'd welcome any practical advice on conditions and regulations unique to Hawaii/Oahu. You know, like, are Plumeria petals really slippery?

Watch out for kukui nuts on the windward side. The first time one hit my car I almost locked up the tires so I could chase the kids throwing rocks.

I'll be renting a motorcycle on Oahu for 3 or 4 days, and would welcome any and all advice on where to take the bike.

It's been 15 years since I lived there, but I'll give it a try.
Sorry if my thoughts are a little out of order.

From Honolulu:

Go west to Kaena Point. End of the road. Nice view from up on the top of the cliff, but the military may not let you in.?? Locals should know.

For twisties ending in a great view try Tantalus Drive- It's a paved over goat path up to a scenic lookout and back down in a big loop.

Diamond Head road, but you've been there.

Pali lookout, off of the Pali Hwy. May be windy.

Kalanianiole Hwy? Rd? whatever. Goes from Honolulu (the Keys) around the east end of the Island toward Kailua. Past Hanauma Bay (Great for snorkeling if you're into it)

Also going west you can pick up hwy 99 north to the north shore across Koolau where the Dole plantation is coming out around Haleiwa. A real nice destination.

From Kailua:

Pali lookout.

Kalanianiole Hwy.

Kamehameha Hwy. (up windward coast). If you stopped at Chinaman's hat you missed the best part.

Keep going and you will come to Laie where the Polynesian Cultural Center is. (Tourist Trap, but it's fun). Onward takes you to the North Shore. Sunset Beach, Waimea Beach and (Waimea Falls Park is worth the fee to hike up to the falls) and Pipeline Beach (**** Do not pronounce this as pee,pee,lee,nee beach ****)

and on to Haleiwa. Elvis's Mansion is up there somewhere too. (He's still alive and lives there full time now. Maybe you'll see him.)

Let us know how the trip and the riding was when you get back.

P.S. If you see "circle island" on a bus. Don't go looking for it and don't ask the locals where it's at. Just like peepeeleenee, might as well paint TOURIST in pink and purple across your forehead.

Spiff · #4 Unread post by **Spiff** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 9:46 am

Some great advice, Seetrout. Thanks!

I've printed out your post and will soon sit down with my Hawaii map and chart out a few day trips.

February 11 (my arrival date in Honolulu) is almost here! (Can you tell that this Minnesotan is ready to experience some warmer weather?)

#5 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 12:37 pm

Spiff wrote:One week and no replies...

Looks like I'm on my own then!

Yeah, we've all been fortunate enough to visit Hawaii, we're just too stingy to share tourist info with ya!

Have fun! I'm jealous!

CM400ERider · Sun Jan 29, 2006 5:16 pm

Day trip the whole island is a day trip take h1 to hwy 99 around the back side youll love it used to do it all the time when I was stationed at schofield. a lot has changed sence 78 though

Spiff · #7 Unread post by **Spiff** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 8:53 am

I'm back!

Loved the trip! (How could I not?)

I coulda used a guard rail here and there, though.
(Do you trust your neutral indicator in a situation like this? )

This was the start of a nice stretch of twisties:

Here is the Honda Shadow that I rented. It's parked at the leeward side of Kaena Point (mentioned by Seetrout in his post):

Here I am posing with the bike at the Halona blowhole:

(Damn, do I look good in my Rev'It jacket or what?)

Seetrout · #8 Unread post by **Seetrout** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 7:11 am

Glad you had a good time.
Thanks for the pics, and thanks for letting us know how the trip went.

rodzbike · #9 Unread post by **rodzbike** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 8:58 am

The pics are great! Glad ya had a good time. Only other "road pics" of Hawaii I've seen are from a friends parents there on vacation and a hurricane was coming in. Yikes