Motorcycles in Oahu (HOA, school, inspection)

[jghutch]

I'm moving to Oahu in July/August. I'm only bringing over my motorcycle and plan on using that as my primary transportation for a month or so. I'm used to riding in South Florida (Palm Beach to Miami) and was curious if people are accommodating to mc riders on the highway (do they care if they will kill you). Also, is there a great deal of mc theft? It is prominent in S.Fl and people have no regard for your life on the highway. I haven't decided where on the island I will live yet, probably Honolul, though. Thanks for any information

[SharkyV12]

I put about 10,000 miles a year on my bike, 650 Suzuki. It is my MAIN transportation even though I own two cars beside's the bike. I ride year 'round, but it does get a little questionable during the heavy rain periods. Sometimes I wimp out and take the car... But usually I just put on my rain suit and ride on.

Why I PREFER the bike over a car:
1. I can use the HOA lanes which shortens my commute AND makes the ride less stressful as I'm dealing with fewer cars.
2. Great gas mileage and low maintenance.
3. It's fun, I STILL get a thrill after all these years.
4. HATE being 'stuck in traffic'.

Traffic IS crowded here, with the bike I can manuver so much easier to be in the right lane at the right time and always keep moving. In a car you can get jammed up pretty good and 'trapped' in a ultra slow moving lane. In general folks are pretty good drivers here, courteous, polite. BUT, 'stuff happens', sometimes they don't see you, ya gotta stay on your toes.

By FAR most motorcycle accidents here are 'rider error'. Going to fast is a HUGE factor and I'm convinced is the NUMBER ONE problem for MC accidents. Running into the guy in FRONT of you is also fairly common (HOW could THAT happen?). Go figure, it's most likely the stop and go traffic we have here... Don't discount the guy behind you running into you either! I ride on one side of the lane, almost never in the middle of a lane. Cars can SEE me coming better that way and it gives me an edge on an escape route. Which side of the lane? Well I'm constantly analying the risk factor of which side of the lane is more likely to come over and try to squash me. Sometimes it's a draw so I go to the middle.

FREEWAYS are BETTER than side streets! Much safer in my opinion. Much less chance of someone pulling out of parking lot, running a red light, "coming from out of nowhere", etc. I try avoid side streets on my daily commute as much as possible. Stick to the main streets, freeways.

Theft is a serious consideration. A good lock is MANDATORY and where you park is everything!

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by SharkyV12

I put about 10,000 miles a year on my bike, 650 Suzuki. It is my MAIN transportation even though I own two cars beside's the bike. I ride year 'round, but it does get a little questionable during the heavy rain periods. Sometimes I wimp out and take the car... But usually I just put on my rain suit and ride on.

Why I PREFER the bike over a car:
1. I can use the HOA lanes which shortens my commute AND makes the ride less stressful as I'm dealing with fewer cars.
2. Great gas mileage and low maintenance.
3. It's fun, I STILL get a thrill after all these years.
4. HATE being 'stuck in traffic'.

Traffic IS crowded here, with the bike I can manuver so much easier to be in the right lane at the right time and always keep moving. In a car you can get jammed up pretty good and 'trapped' in a ultra slow moving lane. In general folks are pretty good drivers here, courteous, polite. BUT, 'stuff happens', sometimes they don't see you, ya gotta stay on your toes.

By FAR most motorcycle accidents here are 'rider error'. Going to fast is a HUGE factor and I'm convinced is the NUMBER ONE problem for MC accidents. Running into the guy in FRONT of you is also fairly common (HOW could THAT happen?). Go figure, it's most likely the stop and go traffic we have here... Don't discount the guy behind you running into you either! I ride on one side of the lane, almost never in the middle of a lane. Cars can SEE me coming better that way and it gives me an edge on an escape route. Which side of the lane? Well I'm constantly analying the risk factor of which side of the lane is more likely to come over and try to squash me. Sometimes it's a draw so I go to the middle.

FREEWAYS are BETTER than side streets! Much safer in my opinion. Much less chance of someone pulling out of parking lot, running a red light, "coming from out of nowhere", etc. I try avoid side streets on my daily commute as much as possible. Stick to the main streets, freeways.

Theft is a serious consideration. A good lock is MANDATORY and where you park is everything!

I like your post.
It is accurate for almost any city in the country as well!
I have had many bikes since 1981 and have only borrowed friends bikes for the last few years as the wife no longer wants me to own one. She is worried about my safety since we have several boys. Those bikes have varied from 400cc to 1340cc - Honda, Kawasaki, Harley.

I am extremely paranoid when I ride. I have had way too many close calls over the years. I think those close calls have made me a safer rider.

[jghutch]

Thanks for the info. I have a CBR 600 that I commute on (funner than my saab). I keep looking at the roads in north Maui and drooling since all the roads are straight in S.FL. I usually drive conservatively and I always wear at least my helmet, jacket, and gloves. Whenever I get too comfortable riding, I read the crash reports on forums to put me back in place. I'm hoping to take a trip to the dainese store in San Fran and get custom fitted for some gear on my way to hawaii. For the theft issue I'll put in a GPS tracker and I already have a scorpio i-900. Any roads reccommended on Oahu for riding?

[hotzcatz]

Roundtop Drive/Tantalus is a great motorcycle ride. The other option is to go to Baskin Robbins. The one the furthest away from where ever on the island you are.

[MadRussian]

Is line splitting allowed in HI?

[jghutch]

MadRussian,

lane splitting is illegal, State-by-state motorcycle laws.
Does anyone know if the are strict about aftermarket exhausts?

[KAILANI]

Whenever I move back, We will be bringing our bikes, hopefully to use as primary transportation when the keikis are in school. We lived on Oahu, my husband commuted from North Shore all the way down to the piers by aloha tower. He said it was much faster, and more fun! He was hit by many rainshowers, but 'eh, cool em off!!! I thought Oahu was plenty friendly to mc's. They have several mc clubs that ride a lot on the weekends. AHHHH, smell the fresh plumeria and ocean breezes!!

[SharkyV12]

Rumor has it the State has all ready or is poised to pass a law that govern's exhaust noise. It's specifically aimed at mopeds, which are VERY abundant here. The concern is that law could be applied to bikes as well as cars, the intent and potential enforcement are unclear at this time. I have a 1965 Cobra 427 (replica) with side pipes that are pretty loud. I'm tyring to stay abreast of this latest development as it could impact my car.

[jghutch]

If it passes, I hope it isn't enforced. I don't want to run open pipes but i would like to run a full race exhaust (with a silencer tip) so that it will not be obnoxiously loud. Do you have to have a yearly inspection on vehicles or just an initial inspection when a vehicle is purchased?