Riding Hawaii
Hawaii motorcycle rides, island by island
Hawaii motorcycle rides are short in miles and huge in scenery: coast roads with one-lane bridges, volcano summits above 10,000 feet, and rainforest that turns to lava desert in an hour. It rides all year. This guide covers the best roads on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai, the weather, helmet and lane rules, and how the free Rippin' app works here.
- Helmet law
- Some riders
- Lane splitting
- Not allowed
- Riding season
- Year-round
- Rippin' price
- Free
Why ride it
Why Hawaii motorcycle rides feel different from the mainland
Every Hawaiian island is its own closed loop of roads, and you can't ride from one to the next. Speed limits are low, distances are short, and the point is the view, not the miles. In return you get ocean on one side and mountains on the other, weather that lets you ride in January, and roads that change completely from one side of an island to the other.
Oahu has the most riders and the most traffic, with Honolulu in the south, the North Shore and the windward coast. Maui has the two famous rides, the Road to Hana and the climb up Haleakala. The Big Island is the biggest and emptiest, with Saddle Road between two huge volcanoes and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Kauai is smaller and greener, with Waimea Canyon on its west side.
The windward sides, facing the trade winds, are wet and green. The leeward sides are drier and sunnier. If it's pouring where you are, the other side of the island is often dry.
The roads
The best motorcycle roads in Hawaii
Eleven roads across four islands. Most are slow and narrow, so ride them for the scenery.
- Road to Hana (HI 36 and HI 360), MauiWinds along Maui's wet northeast coast from the Paia side to Hana, through rainforest and past waterfalls, with dozens of one-lane bridges. Watch for blind curves, tourists stopping anywhere, rain and residents who need to get through.
- Piilani Highway (HI 31), MauiContinues around Maui's south side past Kaupo, dry, remote and wide open to the ocean. Watch for rough, narrow and patched sections and long stretches far from help. Check conditions before you go.
- Haleakala Highway (HI 377 and HI 378), MauiClimbs from Upcountry Maui through switchbacks to the summit of Haleakala at about 10,000 feet. Watch for cold at the top, cyclists, the park fee and the reservation the park requires for sunrise.
- Kahekili Highway (HI 340), MauiWraps around the northern tip of West Maui on a narrow cliffside road that's barely one lane in places. Watch for blind corners with oncoming cars and take it slow.
- Kamehameha Highway (HI 83), OahuFollows the North Shore and the windward coast past beaches and surf towns. Watch for heavy traffic around Haleiwa and beach parks and cars pulling off without warning.
- Kalanianaole Highway (HI 72), OahuRuns along Oahu's southeast coast past Hanauma Bay, Makapuu and Waimanalo, with cliffs and ocean lookouts. Watch for wind and tourist traffic at the lookouts.
- Pali Highway (HI 61), OahuClimbs from Honolulu over the Koolau Range through tunnels to Kailua, past the Nuuanu Pali Lookout. Watch for rain, wind and rockfall closures.
- Saddle Road (HI 200), Big IslandOfficially the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, it crosses the island from Hilo toward the Kona side between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, topping out above 6,000 feet. Watch for fog, cold and few services.
- Hamakua Coast (HI 19), Big IslandRuns north from Hilo along cliffs and gulches toward Honokaa and the Waipio Valley lookout. Watch for rain and slick pavement.
- Chain of Craters Road, Big IslandDrops from the Kilauea summit area in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park down to the coast, across old lava flows. Watch for the park fee, closures from volcanic activity and vog.
- Waimea Canyon Drive (HI 550), KauaiClimbs the west side of Kauai along the rim of Waimea Canyon toward Kokee. Watch for rain, narrow sections and cars stopping at lookouts.
When to ride
When to ride Hawaii
- All yearHawaii rides every month. The wetter season runs roughly from fall through spring, and summer is drier, but windward coasts get showers any time.
- Up highHaleakala, Saddle Road and the summit roads get cold, especially at sunrise. Bring a warm layer and gloves even if it's hot at the beach.
- Hurricane seasonThe Central Pacific hurricane season runs June through November. Storms are rare, but watch the forecast when one is in the area.
- Vog on the Big IslandVolcanic haze can drift over the Big Island and sometimes other islands. Riders with breathing issues should check conditions.
The rules
Hawaii motorcycle laws: helmets and lane splitting
Helmets. Hawaii requires helmets for some riders, mainly younger riders; the age and conditions are set in state law. See the IIHS helmet law overview. Whatever the law says, wear one. Island roads are slow, but crashes still hurt.
Lane splitting and filtering. As of 2026, Hawaii law doesn't allow lane splitting or filtering. Several states are changing their laws, so check before you ride.
This is a summary, not legal advice. Laws change, so check the Hawaii Revised Statutes or your county's DMV before you ride.
Events
Hawaii motorcycle events
Hawaii's riding calendar is local: bike nights, club rides, toy runs and charity rides on each island, with Oahu the busiest. The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, a worldwide charity ride usually held in May, rides in cities around the world. Check the organizer for dates.
In Rippin', open Meets to find bike nights and rides near you and RSVP. Repeating weekly and monthly meets show their next date. Any rider can post a meet, and shops and clubs can add theirs so every rider on the island sees it. More on motorcycle events in Rippin'.
Live from the app
Hawaii on Rippin' right now.
0 upcoming events and 0 rider-added roads in Hawaii on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
No Hawaii events are on the Rippin' map yet. Know a bike night, rally or charity ride? Post it in the app under Meets, or have the organizer add it, and it shows up here and on the map for every rider nearby.
No Hawaii roads are in the app yet. Add the one you love from Segments and a person on our team checks it before it goes live. How roads get added.
Local knowledge
Riding tips for Hawaii
- One-lane bridgesYield to traffic already on the bridge or coming toward you, and take turns. Never stop on a bridge for photos.
- Rain comes fastA sunny road can turn wet in a minute on the windward side, and the first rain lifts oil off the pavement. Ease off when it starts.
- Watch the visitorsRental cars stop suddenly at lookouts and drift while drivers look at the view. Leave extra space.
- Salt and sunSalt air is hard on a bike, so rinse it often. Sunscreen your neck and hands on long coast rides.
- Respect local roadsStay off private and closed roads, and park where you're allowed. Locals live on these roads.
Rippin' in Hawaii
How the Rippin' motorcycle app works in Hawaii
Honest answer: Rippin' started in Southern California, and Hawaii has very few riders in the app so far. That means turf on every island is open right now. Everything below is free on iPhone and Android.
Islands are made for turf. Ride a loop that closes back on itself and the land inside becomes your turf on the live map with your name on it. A loop around part of Oahu or up and around a Maui volcano could put a big piece of an island in your name. Read how Turf Wars works.
Use the Explore map to see turf, segments, poker stops, meets and spots on one map. Shops, cafes and bars can become poker stops, and riders can add Hawaii roads as segments for a person on our team to check before they go live. Bring your crew together with squads.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in Hawaii?
The Road to Hana on Maui is the most famous. Haleakala Highway on Maui, Saddle Road on the Big Island and Oahu's Kalanianaole Highway are also favorites.
When is motorcycle season in Hawaii?
All year. The wetter season runs roughly fall through spring, and windward coasts can get showers any month.
Is lane splitting legal in Hawaii?
As of 2026, Hawaii law doesn't allow lane splitting or filtering. Several states are changing their laws, so check before you ride.
Do you have to wear a helmet in Hawaii?
Hawaii requires helmets for some riders, mainly younger riders; the age and conditions are set in state law. See the IIHS overview. We recommend one on every ride.
Can you ride the Road to Hana on a motorcycle?
Yes. It's slow and narrow with many one-lane bridges, so take your time, yield at the bridges and watch for stopped cars.
Is there a free motorcycle app for Hawaii riders?
Rippin' is free on iPhone and Android. It records rides, turns loops into turf on a live map and lists meets near you. Download it free.
Put your name on an island.
Download Rippin' free, ride a loop, and claim turf no one in Hawaii has taken yet.