Great news for all Harley-Davidson owners in Malaysia! The official Harley-Davidson service centre at The Gasket Alley will officially open its doors tomorrow (Saturday 8th of December).
Built with an investment of RM1.5 million, the new service centre features unique tools and even hydraulic jacks that have been specially flown in from either Europe or the United States. These are unique equipment specially designed for Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
The technicians including the management team have all been trained at the Harley-Davidson University in Bangkok, and are certified to service any type of Harley-Davidson.
The service centre is open to ALL Harley-Davidson’s regardless of whether they were bought from the official dealer, or second hand, or from the grey market. The new service centre does not charge a “localisation” or “initilisation” fee, and will service all Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
In a recent interview with Johan Kleinsteuber (pictured above), the Managing-Director of Harley-Davidson Asia Emerging Markets, the question of aftersales service cropped up, to which Johan replied, “Personally I will encourage grey market owners to visit authorised workshops. I am a rider myself and I will always want my bike to be in the best condition possible because at the end of the day it is also about safety. Our dealership staff are all fully trained. They have gone through the whole training process and attended the Harley-Davidson university in Bangkok, so they can be assured of the highest level of service quality. Ultimately this is what we want to bring to our customers, to be part of the whole ownership experience.” (You can click here to read the full interview)
The opening of the official service centre will be followed by the launch of the all-new Harley-Davidson showroom at The Gasket Alley which is scheduled to take place next month.
For more information, visit The Gasket Alley’s Facebook page here.
Harley-Davidson has been in the Malaysian news quite frequently lately. The legendary American brand sent a wave of shock throughout the industry when it announced its departure from long time partner Naza Prestige Bikes Sdn Bhd, in search of a new partner moving forward.
Rebranding itself from Harley-Davidson of Kuala Lumpur to Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya, the brand has since found a new partner and will be based at ‘The Gasket Alley’, opposite of Jaya One.
Exciting times lay ahead for the brand with a brand spanking new showroom due to be officially opened in January, a RM1.5 million service facility capable of servicing up to six bikes at one time, and with a new team of talented industry insiders with decades of industry experience.
We were recently invited to a chat with Johan Kleinsteuber (pictured above), the Singapore-based Managing Director of Harley-Davidson of Asia Emerging Markets. Not ones to turn down a good conversation about bikes, we found ourselves in a meeting room at The Gasket Alley with Johan and his colleagues from Singapore.
We had 10 questions for Johan and he answered them all, and was eager to share his plans for Malaysia, on engaging owners of grey market bikes which has always been a neglected segment of Harley owners for many years, and even on whether or not we will ever see a new Harley-Davidson for below RM50,000. Below are some excerpts from the conversation:
On why a new dealership was needed for Malaysia: “We made a decision to take a new approach in Malaysia, driven by Harley Davidson’s strategy to grow ridership primarily through our existing customer base as well as reaching out to new customer segments. And we decided to refresh the network and appoint independently owned dealerships throughout the country, to enable us to serve our customers and to make our brand available to a wider segment. That is the idea behind it and is the way we operate in multiple countries, which means either single dealerships or potentially multiple dealerships are owned by separate dealerships.”
How will things change for Harley-Davidson in Malaysia? “If you have read our 10 year strategy we have big plans rolling out in the next 10 years. We will be launching 100 new products throughout the world. We are planning to grow our international volume by 50%. As such we need to look into network expansion in order to make the brand more accessible and to go to the customers where we think they are. Malaysia, in the Asian context, plays an important part in this equation for Harley-Davidson.”
“We have been in Malaysia since 2008, we have built a very dedicated following of Harley-Davidson riders, and the brand is extremely popular in Malaysia and from what I see, the brand is one of the most popular ones in the region, and we want to capitalise on this by reaching out to our customers and giving them access to the brand and the lifestyle that is associated with the brand and its products.”
On what Harley-Davidson owners can look forward to in the next 2-3 years? “It is obviously a very exciting time in Malaysia as we grow the network. You know the new facility in Petaling Jaya. We will start service operations in Malaysia this weekend. Harley-Davidson owners will be able to service their bikes here (at the service centre at The Gasket Alley) beginning this weekend. There are trained and dedicated service staff here to address any concerns or any issues that customers may have with their bikes. So we are looking forward to that, and our plans are to grow the network next year, so we are looking at two additional dealerships, one in Penang and one in Malacca. We will continue to assess where there are opportunities in order to reach out to customers. Not to speak of any specific locations, but there is ongoing business case work and as and when we see there is an opportunity, we will then start work. And coupled with the new products we are launching, the MY18 Softail and the CVO’s, I can only recommend the new range of Softail’s, it is a fantastic range of products and extremely well received. I just came from the Bangkok Motor Expo and we had a successful launch there too, we are very excited about that. As and when we offer new products, new locations, we will reach out to as many people as we can and introduce them to the lifestyle, the HOG community, participate in events and that will all happen soon.”
Will Malaysians get the full range of Harley-Davidson models? “We are looking into bringing in the full range of models beginning with the MY18 Softails and CVO bikes. The plan is to make the full product range accessible to the market. I believe from a model specific perspective it is more about customer demand, we will give the customers what they want.”
On how aftersales service will be improved and engaging owners of grey import and second hand bikes: “What I can say is that the owners (of grey market bikes) should approach the dealership to see whether there is an opportunity for them to service their bikes here. Personally I will encourage grey market owners to visit authorised workshops. I am a rider myself and I will always want my bike to be in the best condition possible because at the end of the day it is also about safety. Our dealership staff are all fully trained. They have gone through the whole training process and attended the Harley-Davidson university in Bangkok, so they can be assured of the highest level of service quality. Ultimately this is what we want to bring to our customers, to be part of the whole ownership experience.”
On customisation of Harley-Davidson and whether the full range of options will be available: “We have a catalogue of 10,000 different parts and accessories for our bikes. Our intention is to give the customers the full range of products. I believe the best thing is for the customers to approach the dealer to get any specific part and be able to customise the bike as they want to. At the end of the day a Harley is a reflection of your personality and that is something we obviously encourage.”
Supporting the Harley Owners Group and what will be different from the past: “Since Sept 22 of this year all HOG chapters in Malaysia are supported by the brand out of HQ. As we open more dealerships we will tackle and address these issues and see how we can reach a proper agreement on chapters. That is on going work.”
Will we ever see a sub-RM50,000 Harley-Davidson in the near future? “We are in the process of building an assembly facility in Rayong, Thailand and will be operational by the end of 2018. A plant such as that gives us the opportunity to make the brand more accessible throughout the Asian region and to a wider range of customers. Asia in general has a burgeoning middle class with disposable income, it is a good opportunity for Harley-Davidson.”
“Specifically for a sub-RM50,000 bike or what model range it is, we are still working through the demand plans and looking at all scenarios. So at this stage it is still too early to tell. However, the Street 750 and the Street Rod will continue to be assembled in India.”
What is the one thing that will change for Harley-Davidson in Malaysia? “We had a 10 year partnership with Naza and we thank them for the commitment to making Harley Davidson brand accessible in Malaysia. Going forward we believe we have an opportunity to make the brand even more accessible to consumers in Malaysia. And really carry the brand lifestyle into more segments that are currently not associated with Harley Davidson. Ultimately the key goal is to make the brand more accessible and increase ridership. We want to welcome everyone who want to be part of the lifestyle. Whether it is through events or general merchandise or whether it is through motorcycles. In that sense, Harley Davidson has a lot to offer to everyone. We want that to be accessible. If there is one thing that will change for Harley-Davidson in Malaysia, it is accessibility and a high level of engagement towards Malaysian customers.”
A message for Harley-Davidson owners in Malaysia: “To Harley Davidson owners and future owners, stay tuned we have great plans for Malaysia and we hope to see you all in our dealerships and in upcoming dealerships. Hope to welcome you there.”
Husqvarna Motorcycles has just launched the all-new 2018 Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Edition.
The launch was made in conjunction of the introduction of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing 2018 rider line-up for next season’s AMA Supercross Championship.
The all-new FC 450 features a reworked 450cc single-cylinder engine, Pankl Racing five-speed gearbox, super lightweight frame with carbon-fibre sub-frame, and many more.
In conjunction with the introduction of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing 2018 rider line-up for next year’s AMA Supercross Championship, Husqvarna Motorcycles is proud to introduce the updated 2018 Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Edition. (more…)
During the recent Motorcycle Live 2017 show in the UK, BMW Motorrad showcased their BMW R 1200 GS by jumping it in the middle of the event hall.
Weighing in at 274kg fully loaded with fuel, the off-road rider made it look so easy in such a small space where riding a normal motorcycle would be tough.
The BMW GS Experience setup during the UK’s biggest motorcycle show was all about highlighting how capable BMW Motorrad bikes are both on and off the road.
Image source: MCN
During the recent Motorcycle Live 2017 aka “The UK’s biggest motorcycle show”, over 100,000 bike fans from around the world made their way up to Birmingham to check out the latest updates in the world of motorcycling. Out of all the manufacturers who took part, BMW Motorrad put on quite a show especially their indoor-outdoor setup. (more…)
True to the GIVI Explorer spirit, we explored downtown Ho Chi Minh City after dinner.
Ho Chi Minh City is thriving with 7 to 7.5 million motorcycles.
The city’s main charm is the mix of classical and modern buildings, and rich heritage.
13th November 2017, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam – The GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 participants freshened up and boarded a bus specially chartered to transport us downtown for dinner.
GIVI did so to mercifully spare us the hassle of having to suit up again, and ride through that traffic.
A VIP had joined us by now. She was Ms. Hendrika Visenzi, daughter of GIVI’s founder, Mr. Giuseppe Visenzi (the first two letters of his name became GIVI). The Hevik sub-brand was under Ms. Visenzi’s charge (HEnrika, GIvi, Kappa). She rode with us from this point on.
Ms. Hendrika Visenzi
The local guide on the bus announced that the restaurant wasn’t far away and we had time to shop at the Takashimaya Mall nearby, before getting back together for dinner. That sounds great, maybe I could get something for family and friends back home.
As usual, it was already dark by 7pm and the roads seemed to be fully illuminated by the headlamps of the scooters and mopeds. There are 7.5 million motorcycles to HCMC’s population of 10 million.
It was explained that HCMC has a chronic parking problem, therefore the motorcycle was the perfect tool. The rich would have their drivers drop them off at their destinations and the driver would continue to drive around in circles until their bosses are done with their business. Hence if the city was a body, motorcycles are the blood cells. There were many Grab Bikes too!
It was also pointed out to us on how the bikes were parked – squished together as if they were bicycles. The owners of these motorcycles will park them inside their living rooms when they get home.
Shops lined the road, selling everything from foodstuff to house stuff.
In the meantime, mopeds kept zipping by. One fast guy swerved through everyone else and was closed to being squeezed like a bug between our bus and a car. Ronald, Enrique and myself were seated at the front and we started yelling. Man, that puckered us up real good.
Other impatient riders would hop onto the sidewalks, sometimes against the traffic.
Our guide was right, our makan place wasn’t far from the hotel, but even he miscalculated the amount of time we needed to get there.
I took us more than an hour to get to the restaurant and it was already too late to visit the mall, so we decided to foot it to dinner. Here’s another adventure: Crossing the never-ending stream called “the road.”
The trick was to see an opening, then step confidently onto the street and keep walking in a steady and predictable manner. That allowed the local riders to guesstimate where you’re headed so they could go around you. Ismadi and I said a prayer, and I almost had my eyes closed when we crossed en masse.
We made it!
We also noticed that all bikes were fully stock and most glaring of all, no bike had any luggage tacked to it (due to lack of parking space). Well, except for one scooter which carried a B32 top case! That was enough to send us all into a celebratory mood!
Dinner was at the 3T Vietnamese BBQ Restaurant on the rooftop of the Temple Club Restaurant. Superb food! I’m allergic to seafood so I hammered on the Vietnamese spring rolls and chicken all night.
A group from GIVI Vietnam had also joined us. Joseph explained that it was through these hardworking individuals that we were enjoying the exclusive line of riding gear during the GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017.
Here’s a personal note to them (hope you guys are reading this): The gear were truly amazing. Both the new jacket and pants kept me cool when it was really hot. They fitted my body well and allowed lots of freedom of movement without flapping in the wind. Also, all the accessories worked. My favourites were the X-45 Fibre helmet, Hevik Lumbar Support belt, and the Technical T-shirt. Well done!
Now, where were we? Oh yes, dinner.
We went out on foot again after the thoroughly satisfying dinner and chartered every trishaw we saw at a square. Sure, we were swamped by traffic again at first, but we didn’t care by now as every GIVI Explorer was laughing and giggling like children. A few Explorers took to riding the trishaws instead of being ferried. GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 happened on three wheels, too! Hah!
It was only now that I discovered just how beautiful HCMC was! I was shooting pictures of the guys around when I spotted, first an M48 Patton tank with Vietnamese Army insignia, followed by the tail section of a Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighter jet and Bell UH-1 helicopter in a compound! Being a military history buff, I asked the trishaw uncle, “Is that the museum?” He just smiled and shrugged. Then I heard, “Yes, that’s the War Museum” from behind somewhere. I looked around to see a young couple wearing surgical masks on a scooter to the left. “But it’s closed now,” said the rider in perfect English. I thanked him and they nodded. Whoa! I have to come back here!
It was during this time that it occurred to me how HCMC has thrived. HCMC, known as Saigon at the time was the capital of South Vietnam, and had been the scene of battles and bombings during the Vietnam war. Being the first “televised war,” there were many enduring images from Saigon, but perhaps the most famous was of choppers airlifting civilians from the US Embassy (Operation Frequent Wind) on 30th April 1975, which marked the Fall of Saigon and end of the war.
It’s been forty-two years since then and Vietnam, although remaining a communist country, had opened its borders to trade and tourism.
Our convoy of trishaws rounded an intersection and a large classical cathedral like those you’d find in Europe came into view. it turned out to be called Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, just like the one in France. It was built by the French in 1863 and completed in 1880.
On the other side of the street was a beautiful classical building, the Saigon Central Post Office. Completed in 1891, it was designed by the architect Gustave Eiffel, the French civil engineer who owned the firm which built the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
We stopped for a photograph session, then continued onwards past the river front of the Saigon River. Here, we saw European-styled luxury hotels, exactly like those you’d see in movies. And up the road was a large cruise ship at the Saigon River Dock. An ultra-modern skyscraper with an open-air deck shoots into the air on the opposite side.
That’s the charm of HCMC. Classical colonial buildings amidst modern buildings and modern lifestyles. We stopped at the Nguyen Hue Walking Street and continued on foot. This stretch encompasses more classical and old buildings converted to shops and hotels.
There was a concert here along the median between the lanes. The Explorers stopped for ice-cream at the foyer of The Reverie Saigon, HCMC’s most luxurious hotel. Wisnu and I spotted a brightly lit building about 500m to the north and decided to investigate.
The concert was over by now and the street was reopened to light traffic. Pretty Vietnamese ladies caught our eyes. We stopped opposite the Rex Hotel to shoot a few pictures when we spotted a Bentley Continental GT poking its nose out of a side street.
We kept walking and discussed about the ride as we hadn’t done so since this GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 first started. We were roomies during the GIVI Wilderness Adventure 2015 in South Africa. But we kept getting distracted by the Vietnamese girls. Oh yes, friends have warned us about this.
We arrived at the building. It was gorgeous, beautifully restored and maintained. It was the HCMC City Hall. We got busy photographing it when we heard the roars of sportscars. They were Ferraris and Lamborghinis and they charged down Nguyen Hue Street.
The group had finished their ice-cream and caught up with us there. They too started shooting the pictures of the City Hall. We continued walking and ended up at another prominent classic building, this time it was the Municipal Theatre of HCMC, but better known as the Saigon Opera House.
Built in 1897 by French architect Eugene Ferret, and restored in 1995, it was shaped like Opera Garnier in Paris. Right opposite was an old building, with a large “Louis Vuitton” signage on top of the entrance.
The left side of the building was boarded up as the authorities are building an underground MRT system.
From here, we took taxis back to the hotel in District 7 and called it a night. I regretted that decision as there’s so much more of HCMC to be discovered. For a few Explorers and myself who had been here the first time we vowed to return. The memory of the traffic had faded into oblivion.
The WorldSBK 2018 season will be updated with new rules such as allowing teams to use ‘aerodynamic components’ on their race motorcycles.
There is a catch however as any of the aerodynamic components must first be made available to the homologated motorcycle.
The world of production superbikes in 2019 will be quite interesting if WorldSBK pick up this new ruling seriously considering how a big of an advantage ‘aerofairings’ can be especially seen in MotoGP.
Image source: Pinterest
The FIM World Superbike Championship has been introducing a lot of revolutionary changes and updates for 2018 to make the motorsport more exciting and appealing to fans around the world. Despite some setbacks laid out for some manufacturers such as limiting engine RPMs to make the field more evenly competitive, the Superbikes commission will now allow the use of ‘aerodynamic components’ come 2018. (more…)
