Moto-Related Observation in Oahu, Hawaii

[Goat_Herder]

I just got back from an 8-day vacation in Oahu.  The beaches, the sunshine, and landscape are fantastic!  I enjoyed every minute of it.  But I've also observed some behaviors, by the local motorcyclists, that still puzzle me today.  I thought I'd share them with you.  Maybe those of you from the island can chime in as well.

1) lack of protective gear - the vast majority of riders I see on the island ride with no helmet, a tank top, shorts and sneakers.  Probably half don't even have gloves on.  I understand that it's 80 degrees and sunshine everyday.  But I cringe every time I see them riding next to naked.

2) Riders congregate on Kalakau Ave in Wakiki - Riders seems to love the idea of hitting every stoplight on the one-way Kalakau Ave, the busiest street in all of Oahu.  I see them every day at all hours.  By once I leave Wakiki, I don't see ANY bikes.  NONE.

3) islanders love big bikes – I have never seen such a high concentration of HD Road King/xxx-Glides and Hayabusas outside of Oahu.  Seems like every bike I see is a big-ass touring or a super high powered superbike.  Consider how small the island is, 30 miles of interstates, those bikes seem out of place.  Plus those bikes are only seen in Wakiki (see Observation 2 above)

4) skinny Japanese tourist on 800lb HD – I am sure they can handle the bike.  But it just looks funny.  Very disproportioned.

[yotogi]

3) islanders love big bikes â€" I have never seen such a high concentration of HD Road King/xxx-Glides and Hayabusas outside of Oahu.  Seems like every bike I see is a big-ass touring or a super high powered superbike.  Consider how small the island is, 30 miles of interstates, those bikes seem out of place.  Plus those bikes are only seen in Wakiki (see Observation 2 above)

I thought the bridge to nowhere was being build in Alaska. 

[DRKWNG]

Well yes, a lot of the riders down here like to go with the "ride aloha" mentality, which equates to no gear, and this applies to almost every genre of rider you can imagine.  Well, except the few of us that frequent this board anyhow.  And while you do see a lot of riders cruising Waikiki there are also riders all over the other parts of the island.  I take it you did not venture out to the windward side, or out to the north shore?  If so, you must have been blind not to see any. 

[teddy037.2]

the guys all hanging out in waikiki are just trolling for jailbait...

the most consistantly gear conscious riders i've seen are coincidently the other riders that post up here. most everyone else doesn't ride with much. it's pretty much the norm.  and I've heard every excuse... too hot, helmets are evil and obstruct my vision/hearing, blah blah blah.

but any licensed rider over 18 is not require to wear a helmet (or anything else for that matter)

yes, big bikes aplenty... lots of R1's, gixxer thous, busas, and I don't know why, either. going fast and straight doesn't thrill me, and there's NO ROOM here. so whatever 

I guess maybe it's all the flat boring bits pass by quicker en route to a bit of twisty here n'there? or easy wheelies?

[Goat_Herder]

Well yes, a lot of the riders down here like to go with the "ride aloha" mentality, which equates to no gear, and this applies to almost every genre of rider you can imagine.  Well, except the few of us that frequent this board anyhow.  And while you do see a lot of riders cruising Waikiki there are also riders all over the other parts of the island.  I take it you did not venture out to the windward side, or out to the north shore?  If so, you must have been blind not to see any. 

I mostly stayed on the southern part of the island.  I did go out to the western side for snarkling.  Beautiful water and scenery.  But didn't see any bikes out there (only scooters).  No, I didn't have a chance to go to the North Shore...  Next time I visit Hawaii, it will be the North Shore or Maui. 

[NorDog]

2) congregate on Kalakau Ave in Wakiki - Riders seems to love the idea of hitting every stoplight on the one-way Kalakau Ave, the busiest street in all of Oahu.  I see you every day at all hours.  By once I leave Wakiki, I don't see ANY bikes.  NONE.

I don't know what that means.

[zzilla]

[He Man]

The picture is deceiving. Right now his brain is pushing so much pain killing chemicals  and a shit load of adrenaline, he doesnt feel the immediate affects of the pain.

In a few hours though. Holy crap that look of fear in his face is going to get 10x worst. looks pretty bad already!!!! and his foot is bruised up REAL NICE. or he broke a few bones and its bleeding out!

They should have a pic of the immediate crash for show at MSF classes.

[teddy037.2]

somehow... I don't feel any pity for the dude in the pic.

and speakin' of oahu riders, going on a holiday ride w/the guys from work...


$20 says I'm the over-geared fool of the bunch    even if I show up in the draggin' jeans instead of my tex

[RUFKM]

I did go out to the western side for snarkling. 

Yeah, I heard it can get a bit snarky out on the west side.

[teddy037.2]

ride was good today... LOTS of bikes out, aside from the group I was with... even in waikiki 

Yeah, I heard it can get a bit snarky out on the west side.

nah, the chronics out there that break into your car got no time for jokes 

[Goat_Herder]

2) Riders congregate on Kalakau Ave in Wakiki.

I don't know what that means.

Sorry, I meant to say I see riders/bikes congregate in Wakiki and are seen nowhere else.

[Goat_Herder]

At least his tatoo stayed on.  I thought it would "rub off".