Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya (HDPJ) held a special dinner for the Harley Owners Group of Petaling Jaya (HOG PJ) riders who rode to the the Phuket Bike Week 2019 (PBW 2019).
They were also gifted an exclusive and special pin for the ride.
This was the first such program and HOG PJ looks forward to more.
Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya (HDPJ) held a special dinner over the weekend for the Harley Owners Group of Petaling Jaya (HOG PJ) riders who rode to the the Phuket Bike Week 2019 (PBW 2019).
Formally called the “Phuket Mileage Program Appreciation Dinner” HOG PJ also awarded an exclusive and special pin for the ride.
According to Juan Chow Wee, the General Manager at Didi Resources Sdn. Bhd., “Whether it is an afternoon getaway or a transcontinental journey of a lifetime, every ride you take brings us all a little closer together. With HOG, you get rewarded for doing what you already love: Riding your Harley-Davidson.”
“To appreciate our members who joined the ride to Phuket, Thailand, we hosted this dinner and award them Phuket Bike Week pins to recognize the miles traveled.”
A total of 30 HOG riders took part in the ride.
Chris Ruxton, Assistant Director of HOG PJ added, “The following program is the first to be rolled out where we provide recognition to our members clocking in the miles in an official ride. We hope to do organize more of such programs.”
Malaysian Harley-Davidson riders and HOG members have a long history of visiting the PBW (and Songkran festival). The PBW is arguably the most prestigious bike week in the region.
A number of Yamaha Gen Blu Festival participants were involved in accident.
The scary crash was recorded on a dashcam.
The accident was caused by a car.
A dashcam video appeared on social media showing participants of the Yamaha Gen Blu Festival involved in a serious accident. It occurred on the LDP.
It appears that a black Myvi swerved abruptly from the right lane to the left. It’s front quarter struck another car which spun the Myvi around.
The impact caught a group of riders. The first rider almost it past but was caught by the bumper and thrown off. Two of his following buddies hit the car’s front and were flung over. A fourth rider probably took the biggest impact as he t-boned the Myvi, smashing his head and upper body into the car.
The riders were wearing the T-shirts handed out at the mega Yamaha event we covered earlier today.
There’s no explanation what caused the driver to drive in such a way. There’s also no news on the bikers’ condition.
Our hearts and prayers are with then to get well soon.
We are alarmed by the increase of such drivers these days. Worse, there were trolls who blamed the entire episode on the riders despite the incontrovertible proof!
Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) launched the limited edition Yamaha Y15ZR V2 Doxou and Yamaha NVX Doxou.
They were unveiled at the Yamaha Gen Blu Festival 2019.
The festival entered the Malaysian Book of Records with the largest number – 11,836 – of Yamaha motorcycles in one place.
Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) launched the limited edition Yamaha Y15ZR V2 Doxou and Yamaha NVX Doxou at the Yamaha Gen Blu Festival 2019. The festival also saw the biggest attendance of 11,836 Yamaha motorcycles in one place thereby earning a spot in the Malaysia Book of Records.
The Y15ZR V2 Doxou and NVX Doxou represent not only lines of limited edition motorcycles, but also a complete lifestyle. That’s because the Doxou family encompasses a complete collection of official apparel and merchandise.
Additionally, each owner receive exclusive premium gift set which consists of specially-designed Doxou headphones and keychain. But more importantly, he/she also receives an exclusive certificate inscribed with the specific bike’s chassis and engine numbers. Great collector’s item and resale value, eh?
The Y15ZR V2 Doxou is priced at RM 8,868 (selling price) and will be available from dealers beginning mid-August. Pricing and availability of the NVX Doxou will be announced at a later date.
Meanwhile, the Yamaha Gen Blue Festival 2019 was a huge success. Apart from seeing the largest get-together, there were also a wide array of activities for both Yamaha owners and their families.
The attendees came in through convoys organised in different regions of the country.
To begin, the Yamaha Gallery showcased the 40 years of HLYM’s electrifying growth and success in Malaysia.
Bikes displayed include legends that ruled the Malaysian roads such as the RX-100, RX-Z, SRZ110, TZM150, 125Z, before progressing to the new bikes. There were also race classic race bikes such as the YZF-750, TZ-250, YZR-500.
HLYM also set up test rides, a bike clinic, NVX Challenge race, special sale of merchandise besides parts and accessories.
There was also a hotly contested custom bike competition. It was divided into different categories. The entries were dazzling. There were YZF-R25s dressed up like superbikes, a YZF-R15 which looked exactly like a YZF-R1M complete with wide tyres and Akrapovic race exhaust, Y15ZRs that were completely kitted out; superbly restored RZ-350LC Eddie Lawson Edition; the list goes on and on.
Many vendors also made their presence, providing a whole range of products and services.
Lucky draws were carried out by Hong Leong Yamaha throughout the day. A lucky soul went home with the Grand Prize of an MT-09.
Don’t despair if you missed this great event. Be prepared for an even bigger one in 2020. (But first, look out for the HLYM Malaysian MotoGP convoy!)
Massimo Tamburini’s personal Ducati 916 prototype is on display in the Ducati Museum.
It is one of three which he developed into the production model.
The display commemorates the 25th anniversary of the model.
The late Massimo Tamburini richly derserves the title as the best motorcycle stylist. It was his work in producing the Ducati 916 which transformed how all bikes look these days.
Now one of his three prototype Ducati 916 is on display in the Ducati Museum at Borgo Panigale.
Tamburini took six years to develop the bike. The aerodynamics and chassis were all done through personal expertise and experience on the roads around Rimini, besides the Mugello and Misano circuits He never used the wind tunnel once. Tamburini was one of the founders and partners at Bimota and brought his speciality in designing the frame and chassis.
No one in the wildest dreams could probably think such a machine could dominate the World Superbike Series, given the way it was developed. And it was the 916 which secured Ducati’s name as a prestigious motorcycle manufacturer.
Sadly, Massimo Tamburini passed away in 2014 before the 25th anniversary of the Ducati 916. Ducati produced a limited run of the Panigale V4 25th Anniversario 916 to commemorate the historic model.
His legacy lives in this machine displayed in the museum. It’s of the 916 SP version which features the top-shelve components such as Brembo Gold Line brakes, Ohlins suspension, five-spoke magnesium wheels, carbon fibre Termignoni exhaust silencers, lightened single-side swingarm, etc. The bike has only a tachometer and water temperature gauge.
Hafizh Syahrin said that he is currently talking to two or three Moto2 teams for 2020.
He currently without a ride in the MotoGP class next year.
His hopes are either the KTM Tech 3 or PETRONAS SRT Moto2 team.
Hafizh Syahrin said that he is currently talking to two or three Moto2 teams for 2020.
His team Red Bull KTM Tech 3 Racing announced that current factory Moto2 rider Brad Binder will replace Hafizh next year. Unfortunately, all seats in the 2020 MotoGP season are taken, hence Hafizh had to look to the category from where he progressed into MotoGP.
Hafizh had progressed steadily in Moto2 before being tapped by the Tech 3 team in 2018. Back then, he and teammate Johann Zarco rode the Yamaha YZR-M1. Team principal Herve Poncharal decided to swith to KTM for the 2019 season after being promised factory machinery and support, something which Yamaha hadn’t done despite Tech 3 being their partner for more than 20 years.
Apart from Pol Espargaro who had been the KTM factory rider since the start, all three new signings namely Johann Zarco, Miguel Oliveira and Hafizh suffered. It was especially difficult for Zarco and Hafizh to accustom themselves to the aggressive KTM RC16 MotoGP racebike, given their super-smooth riding style.
He is now hoping to join either the KTM Tech 3 or PETRONAS SRT team in Moto2. The KTM team uses their own chassis, while the PETRONAS team uses the Kalex chassis. However, since there is currently only one bike in the PETRONAS team, it remains to be seen if they will add another bike or promote a Moto3 rider to the seat.
The GIVI Malaysian Adventure 2019 is about to hit its climax on Day Seven.
It was time for the GIVI Explorers to visit GIVI Rimba Raid at Janda Baik 2019.
The route consisted of corners all the way!
The GIVI Malaysian Adventure 2019 is about to hit its climax on Day Seven (26th July 2019). It was time for the GIVI Explorers to visit GIVI Rimba Raid at Janda Baik 2019.
This was the second year of GIVI’s involvement in Rimba Raid and it promises to be the biggest one yet. The organizer of Rimba Raid, Dato’ Capt. Nik Huzlan had to limit the entries at 150 participants, but that’s already nearly 50% more than the 105 at GIVI Rimba Raid at Mat Daling 2018.
GIVI’s involvement also opens up the branding to off-road motorcycles besides the usual adventure bikes.
So today, on Day Seven of the GIVI Malaysian Adventure 2019, we needed to travel from Melaka to the Rimba Valley Motorcamp site.
Leg One – Melaka to Si Thian Kong Temple, Johol, Negeri Sembilan
Rather than hoofing it down the featureless highways the Explorers took a circuitous route that crossed three states.
Leaving Melaka, we headed toward Durian Tunggal, instead of the usual Ayer Keroh way.
The road got twisty not long after we left Melaka. I wished I could see the faces under those helmets but am sure every Explorer was smiling. We locals ride this route just for the corners! There was whoops of elation from almost everyone when we stopped afterwards.
Everyone was having such a great time that we were already at the Si Thian Kong Temple in Johol.
The site was just a clearing three years ago and a large temple complex has now taken shape. It’s not fully complete yet, but the main structures with intricate carvings were in place, including the worship hall. Two large Tao deities greeted us as we rode through the front gate.
The temple is being built at great expense and it should soon rival some of the Taoist temples around Malaysia.
(L-R) Manuel, Nikkasit, Kok Ping
Leg Two – Si Thian Kong Temple to Bera
From here, the road turns into a mini racetrack style layout with chicanes, sweeping turns and decreasing radius corners all thrown in. Thankfully, the road has been resurfaced.
I personally worried about the convoy’s safety in negotiating two very tricky decreasing radius corners up ahead, but the Explorers were all experienced and good riders. The marshals also did a great job in controlling the pace, instead of letting everyone dive bomb the corners, kamikaze style.
Past those corners, I started to get excited. Very excited. That’s because we were going to ride through Kuala Pilah.
Now, Kuala Pilah is pretty much unchanged for the last decade and it’s always hot. This sleepy town is my wife’s hometown and where we got married. It’s not everyday that 40 riders from 16 countries ride through, while being escorted by the police. I felt my pride welling up.
We passed Juasseh, then Batu Kikir before turning northeast to Route 10 which took us past Bera Lake and into Bera town for lunch.
Again, there were so many corners! In Bahasa Melayu we would say, “Korner sampai muntah,” which translates to “Cornering until we puke.” That’s to say it in a happy manner, of course.
We passed the Bera lake which was a shadow of its former glory, unfortunately. Many people missed it because instead of being a body of blue water, it now looks like a giant mud pit.
We stopped at a mamak restaurant in Bera for a quick lunch.
Leg Three – Bera to National Elephant Conservation Centre, Kuala Gandah, Pahang
The National Elephant Conservation Centre is a must for anyone travelling along this route. This is where injured elephants are rescued and rehabilitated before being returned to the wild. It’s also from here that the mahouts (elephant handlers) mount missions to relocate elephants that are in vicinity of human settlements to the National Park (Taman Negara). Actually, it’s human encroachment, not the other way around.
We were extremely lucky to have arrived at the time to bathe the elephants in the river! We swore we saw them smile when they hit the river. Bathing was carried out by the mahouts, not visitors, by the way.
They then continued with an elephant show for educational purposes. One elephant was 60 years old! These elephants were rescued many years ago and are reared as guides to “talk to” wild elephants to be relocated.
Lastly, visitors were given the opportunity to feed the beautiful animals with watermelons for lunch.
As a personal note, the centre has changed much since my last visit three months ago. It’s now much more organized and cleaner. A kind-hearted soul donated a large sum of money to renovate the centre. It’s great to see that the elephants in our country are well cared for.
Leg Four – Kuala Gandah to Rimba Valley Motorcamp, Janda Baik
The final leg of the day took us to the site of GIVI Rimba Raid at Janda Baik 2019. The area was already a hive of activity, when we got there. The camping grounds were full and there were adventure and dirt-bikes everywhere. We had the option of riding into Rimba Valley ourselves on the dirt road, but there was took much traffic. So, the marshals helped us ride our bikes in to Kampung GIVI.
It’s great to see GIVI Rimba Raid being so colourful now. While it’s mainly an amateur event, GIVI’s presence, plus BMW Motorrad, KTM, Bombardier, et al certainly lent it a professional set up. This is important especially for competitors who travelled in from all over the world.
We mingled for a while before leaving the bikes at Kampung GIVI and headed to ILMU (which used to be UMNO’s indoctrination centre) to settle down.
We attended the GIVI Rimba Raid briefing at night. It was great to see so many familiar faces among the 150 riders here.
The Explorers turned in early as tomorrow morning (27thJuly) is GIVI Rimba Raid’s main event.
