Hawaii Sport Bike Roads Hawaii Sport Bike Roads Motorcycle Rentals on the islands
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Updated 12/07/07 by J Knutson (ytk@sportbikeroads.com)
Submitted by: Jon Bratten, updates by Ryutaro
Good to see your Web site with the NASBRR info! We're stuck in Hawaii, so won't see "Deals Gap" or anything similar soon-- but had a few spots I can suggest for riding in Hawaii.
First of all, the islands are "small"! Only four of them: Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Hawaii, are big enough to ride on for more than a short blast before you start doing laps. Even Maui, Kauai and Oahu ain't that big--you can do a "round the island tour" on each of them in a half day or less...which, incidentally is one of the featured rides for each island--just follow the coastline around the island in one direction, then turn around and go back. Yup, go *back*! Kauai is completely, physically, impossible to circum navigate--that last third is still jungle with no roads! Oahu isn't much better--the dirt road around the north end of the island (Kaena Point) used to be negotiable by a street scoot, but not any more--a big washout on the Waianae side took out the road and it was never fixed. Even Maui has sections of road that aren't really rideable-- well, the highway to Hana is a gravel and dirt road that is pretty interesting on a roadbike...take an Enduro model is more like it.
With that out of the way, there are several pluses to riding in paradise--the weather is always warm all year round, so even if you do get rained on, you dry out fast. Balmy breezes, spectacular scenery, and some of the most gorgeous views you'll see anywhere.
But, twisties? Umm, not a whole bunch. If you don't count the road following the shoreline on each island, you only have a few places to go, and most of these are short.
In a nutshell, then, here are some of the riding spots on the islands:
On Oahu, sportbike headquarters is at Tantalus--a stubby little mountain that sprouted right at the edge of Honolulu, and has the best twisties of all the islands--super tight curves, though, with some houses at the apex, and the rain and forest overhang make some of the hairpins more glossy than mossy. Tantalus is the name of the mountain, and the name of the street that curves up one side of the hill...then it turns into Round Top Drive...so the ride is to start at one end and go over the mountain and down the other side...then come back. You can do the whole thing in less than an hour, but that's about as good as it gets on Oahu.
There is another short windy section on the road to Oahu's North Shore called Kaukonahua Road...great corners up or down, but beware of the Ironwood trees that line the road! Many of them have small crosses on them from the bikes and cars that were totaled without even taking the bark off the tree--brick walls are easier to kiss at speed than these!
Mt.Kaala, a private road, is a great one for small sportbikes, if you can find someone with the key. This one winds up the side of the Waianae ridge, and ends up at the Observatory at the top of Kaena Point. probably shouldn't list this one since it is a private road, and so tight it isn't even fun on bigger bikes.
Also on Oahu, and only partially off limits (on an Army base, but they will let you on, is "Kolekole Pass", which winds through from the Army base over the top of the Wainae Ridge and comes down on the Waianae side of the ridge. Only a few miles long, but a fun ride, esp when it changes from the cool and wet jungle by the base to the dry cactus country as soon as you get over the pass.
On Maui, the road to the Haleakala Volcano is great--but it gets chilly up there! Hits freezing temps at the summit most of the year, so you'll need the leathers. Lots of bicycles and traffic during the day, so go early in the morning--lots of folks go up to watch the sunrise from the summit, one of the classic things to do on Maui.
On Kauai, other than the coastline road, there isn't much...best scenery is at Waimea Canyon--looks like a scale model of the Grand Canyon.
The Big Island, or Island of Hawaii, is the greatest...Saddle Road is the ride to take, that winds from Hilo on up through the saddle between the Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes. (Quoting Ryutaro, "When you get to the lava you will notice small crosses because of the deaths that have occurred on that road--both cars and motorcycles. If you want to stuff it through the turns and you're a beginner, this is not the road") The ride starts off in mist and light rain in Hilo, winds up through the elevation through dense jungle scenery, and ends up above 6000' where all you see is lava fields that look like the moon. You can ride up to the observatory, but have your bike jetted lean--at 8000' and up your motor will notice the altitude. Be sure to richen it up before going full tilt on the way back down the mountain. The road is full of great winding turns all the way up and down, but the road surface has deteriorated significantly, so you have to watch for potholes and loose gravel.
Shipping your bike between islands is either by plane (several hundred) or via barge (about $75 + Crate per Ryutaro 2/8/98)...but the barge only makes the trip a few days a week, so you are better off renting bikes on each island.
Island of Oahu
1. Circle Island Ride:
Plan to leave Honolulu around 9 am or so, after most of the am traffic has subsided and the kids are all in school. Start from anywhere in Honolulu, head South on the Lunalilo Freeway. Outside the city the road turns into Kalanianaaole Highway and starts hugging the shoreline. Great windy section around the south end of the island, stay on the same road as it heads north again. Only a few miles of town--Kailua and Kaneohe, the name of the road changes to Kamemeha Highway, then the good riding section begins--miles and miles of curving coastline road, just a few feet from the beach...mid morning weekdays are the best for minimal traffic.
This will wind along the Windward coast in a very peaceful and balmy ride, and bring you to the North Shore in about an hour. Drive by famed Sunset Beach and Pipeline, and stop in Haleiwa at Pizza Bobs or the Sprout Kitchen for lunch. After lunch, continue west on Kamehameha Highway, go straight across the "circle" intersection known as Weed Junction, and turn left at the blinking light called Thompson's corner.
This is the start of Kaukonahua Road...you're heading uphill, so will need all the horsepower, but a fun--albeit short--twisty section. At the top, just head back into Honolulu, either on Kamehameha Highway, or take the H2 freeway if you're anxious to get back to town.
If you've still got some time for Honolulu's only real twisties, follow Punhou street up the hill, and turn left at the 2nd light above the Freeway onto Nehoa. Take your 2nd right onto Makiki St, the start of the Round Top to Tantalus ride. This is a great ride up and over the small mountain...going up Round Top, then the road turns into Tantalus and brings you down the other side only 1/4 mile from where you started, but with miles and miles of bends in between.
Go to TOP
1. Oahu Head South out of Honolulu. Circle the island. Do Tantalus and RoundTop in upper Makiki for twisty work.
2. Maui: Ride up to the top of the Haleakala Volcano and back
3. Kauai. Ride to Waimea Canyon. Ride back to the Wet and Dry Caves. In between you cover the entire coastline of roads on this island.
4. (Island of)Hawaii. Take the Volcanoes road from Hilo to the Saddle up to the saddle between the Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea Volcanoes. Go up to the observatory--often still with snow, even in the summer. Continue on to Kona, or back down the twisty section to Hilo.
Go to TOP
Kailua-Kona