Riding motorcycle b/w Downtown HNL - Kaneohe/Kailua (Honolulu: home, most dangerous)

[SCtoHI]

Is there anyone who can comment on riding motorcycle between Kailua/Kaneohe and downtown Honolulu during rush hours?

[whtviper1]

Sure - you'll get wet most of the time as you hit the mountain peaks - and very often a driving/windy downpour.

I take H3 in the morning and the Pali Highway home - I very rarely see motorcycles on the Kailua/downtown route because of the rain (it isn't a drizzle)

[SCtoHI]

So commuting by motorcycle really is not ideal, especially for an inexperienced rider like myself. Or I should say no experience. I do not really want to commute by my V8 daily for an obvious reason. If not motorcycle, I will need to get another small car.

[whtviper1]

It's not ideal. It can be bright sunshine on the windward side and downtown and you can hit heavy rain at the top of the mountain (or, it might be clear - or clear in the morning and bad at night and vice versa)

[SCtoHI]

Thank you for your info. I was driving from Kaneohe toward the town, and I came across some heavy rain. My experience of rain for the first time in Oahu, and if that is the norm, with my lack of experience, maybe not such a good idea. Thanks.

[thatguy950]

Yeah I think it's most dangerous coming down into town in the afternoon during a heavy rain where there is still sun shining through the clouds onto the wet road, it's absolutely blinding. I certainly wouldn't want to be on a bike in those conditions.

[pj737]

Originally Posted by thatguy950

Yeah I think it's most dangerous coming down into town in the afternoon during a heavy rain where there is still sun shining through the clouds onto the wet road, it's absolutely blinding. I certainly wouldn't want to be on a bike in those conditions.

I've rode my motorcycle over the Pali many times and I can attest to exactly what you're saying. When the sun shines through the clouds (extra bright "edge of cloud effect") on a wet road during certain times of the day, the reflection is blinding.

It also doesn't help that the roads were "partially" paved by city/state workers with personality disorders. You'll have a nice new patch of smooth asphalt then goes to ultra rough asphalt than smooth than rough; this goes on for miles. This back and forth transition even happens around tight turns. No idea why the city/state paves like this but it makes it harder to ascertain bike/road responsiveness/grip when the roads are slick, especially after a fresh rain.

I prefer the H3 for the motorcycle windward/town commute. Much safer.

[HI85WH1]

You know the only way to get more riding experience is to actually RIDE?

I do 20-30K per year just on my bike, and maybe another 3-5K combined in my 4 or more wheeled vehicles.

For someone with limited experience, wear the proper gear, be dilligent and alert at all times when riding. Remember: They really ARE out to get you! (Just joking, but keep that mindset to be wary and you'll do fine)

Regarding rain: Yes, it rains here. I commute from Wahiawa to Ewa and it rains most mornings, either at home, or somewhere along the way. You get wet, you dry off... deal with it.