Registration is now open for the GIVI Rimba Raid 2019 at Janda Baik.
The event will be held from 26th to 28th July.
Some 150 entries are expected for this event this year.
After last year’s massive success, the GIVI Rimba Raid 2019 returns to Janda Baik. The event will be held from 26th to 28th July and registration is now open for competitors, camping spectators and hotel spectators.
Before we go further, let’s recap on 2018. Rimba Raid was held in two locations namely Janda Baik and Mat Daling.
Rimba Raid Janda Baik featured a “test” style format where competitors navigate different sections and tests on Day One; scoring points accordingly. On Day Two, the rode through a short-distance rally in the surrounding jungles. 60 competitors signed up.
At GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling round, on the other hand, the format was that of a 120-km jungle rally on Day One and a jungle enduro/sandbank race on Day Two. A total of 105 participants from 10 countries including Malaysia took part.
A whopping number of 150 entries are duly expected this year.
It was also at Mat Daling that GIVI became the official sponsor of the event. Other vendors included BMW Motorrad Auto Bavaria, Ducati Malaysia, KTM Malaysia, Red Bull. There’s bound to be even more this year.
Looking back, Rimba Raid stalwart Dato’ Captain Nik Huzlan started the series as the first off-road event for dual-purpose enthusiasts with machines above 650cc in Malaysia. That is why one could see heavyweights such as the BMW R 1200 GS, KTM 1090/1190 Adventure, Ducati Multistrada Enduro, et al bash it out in tough conditions.
As the event became more and more successful over the last few years, so does its reputation. So much so that the Thai competitors held a qualifying round in their country to determine the “representatives” to this year’s edition.
Along with the popularity came the need to expand the series to cover more types of bikes. Instead of being lumped together wholesale, they are now divided into three categories. A class for quads and ATVs is also added this year.
Speaking about grouping and classes, Rimba Raid splits the field into the Main Race (200 competitors), Enduro (50 participants) and Quads (20 participants). They are split further into sub-categories such as Class A, B, C, Quad/Side-by-Side (buggy), Enduro Open, Enduro Veteran, depending on motorcycle power-to-weight ratio, suspension travel, wheel size, recommended service intervals.
Success also started to attract pro riders such as Malaysian MX and Asian Supermoto Champion Gabit Saleh, 2004 Dakar Rally winner Mateo Graziani, Malaysian trial rider Acoi Pangkolo, multiple Rimba Raid winner Bee Wong and many more.
Left to right: MG, Gabit, Capt. Nik
The location will also play a vital role in the success of GIVI Rimba Raid 2019. Dato’ Capt. Nik has developed the Rimba Valley Motor Campsite into a true eco destination. Nestled in a valley, there’s fresh air to clean out your city lungs a mere 55km away from Kuala Lumpur and a stone’s throw from Genting Highlands.
GIVI will field I. Jeremais in the upcoming Rimba Raid 2019 at Mat Daling.
He has competed in numerous editions of the Dakar Rally for HRC.
We will ride the new Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE and XC.
GIVI will field I. Jeremais in the upcoming Rimba Raid 2019 at Mat Daling.
As Malaysia’s premier adventure and dual-sport event, Rimba Raid has grown from strength to strength due to the hard work of Dato’ Capt. Nik Huzlan and his team. As of last year’s rally raid event at Mat Daling, almost 200 competitors from around world signed up. It was also the first year in which GIVI played the role as the main supporter.
GIVI is repeating that role in this year’s Rimba Raid. However, it promises to be something more special as the Italian motorcycle luggage, accessories and rider gear maker is organizing their prestigious annual adventure here in Malaysia. The ride will tour West Malaysia and ending at Rimba Raid.
Jeremais will ride along with the participants in the adventure and continue on to join Rimba Raid as a competitor.
Jeremais hails from Chile, the site of the Dakar Rally in recent years. As such, he has competed in the world’s toughest rally in more than one occasion with the factory Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) team. His best finish was fourth place.
He will be riding the new Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE in the GIVI adventure ride, before switching to a specially-prepared Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC in Rimba Raid, resplendent in GIVI colours.
Ernie Vigil had just ridden the Scrambler 1200 XE to a fifth-placed finish among dedicated dirtbikes in the Mexican 1000 rally.
GIVI Asia celebrates their 25thAnniversary today and launches the 2019 line-up of products.
The launch was presented to the media and dealers from around Asia.
The company launch 15 new products today and there will be more to come.
GIVI Asia celebrates their 25th Anniversary today and launches the 2019 line-up of products. The launch was held at the Grand Ion D’elemen Hotel in Genting Highlands.
The company also organized a convoy for the Malaysian motorcycle media to kick off the proceedings. The ride began at GIVI Asia’s headquarters and factory in Bukit Beruntung. Foreign dignitaries and dealers were given a tour of the factory, before heading up to Genting Highlands.
2019 Range of Products
GIVI has always strived hard to provide the best solutions for all riders in every conceivable situation. As such, they boast some 75,000 products of all types. The launch of the 2019 range adds to this massive collection.
Showcased at the launch were hard cases, soft bags, waist bag, waterproof garments and helmets.
Hard cases
Monolock B32N-Advance Bold Top Case. An “upgrade” of the popular B32 Bold, it features a pair of stainless steel rods on top of the lid, an elastic net strung between the rods and a backrest. The 32-litre case and its features caters to riders who tour, but do not want a larger case.
Monolock B32N-Advance Bold
Monolock B270N Top Case. A compact but aerodynamic 27-litre case for riders who want something compact yet stylish. GIVI fitted it to a number of motojournalists’ motorcycles to gain more insight to their use. The lid also has a carbon fibre-like panel to impart a sporty look.
E23 Monokey Side Case. These new side cases offer 23-litres of storage capacity each, but small enough to be mounted beside scooters, kapchaisand lightweight adventure bikes. The lid has handles on both ends, enabling more items to be tied down on top of the lid. They also feature prismatic reflective strips for extra visibility, hence safety.
G12 Fixed System Centre Case. The G12 centre case replaces the ubiquitous “basket” of kapchais/scooters. It has a 12-litre load capacity hence the rider can store items such as his wallet, phone, etc. It’s secured with a lock and waterproof.
Rider Tech Range
The Rider Tech range consists of soft backpacks, waist bags and saddle bags.
RBP03 Rider Tech Camo Backpack, 15-liters.
RWB05 Rider Tech Camo Waist Bag, 3-litres.
RSB01 Rider Tech Saddle Bag, 15-litres.
Waterproof garments
GIVI is also synonymous with high quality waterproof garments. New products are:
PRS04.AX Prime rainsuit.
CAM01.AH Camouflage rain suit.
CRT01.AX Comfort rain trouser.
HPS M30.1 Cielo Helmet
GIVI adds more colour options to the HPS (Head Protection System) M30.1 Cielo helmet range.
Mod Ice White.
Mod Black
Slide Titanium.
On hand to brief the assembled media were Mr. On Hai Swee – Managing Direcor of GIVI Asia and Mr. Joseph A. Perucca – Overseas Operational Manager of GIVI Groups.
L-R: Mr. On Hai Swee, Mr. Joseph A. Perucca, Mr. Sam Sharman
A question was brought up if GIVI Asia will open new GIVI Point concept stores in Malaysia. Mr. On answered that the company is currently looking to expand to other states in both West and East Malaysia. He also stated that there are GIVI Specialized dealers currently in place and they serve specific motorcycle types.
On another question regarding GIVI’s sponsorship and involvement in Rimba Raid, Mr. Perucca said that he was surprised at the turnout in the 2018 event. As such, the company will continue their involvement for 2019 and hopefully beyond.
Ms. Anita Yusof, GIVI Asia’s Brand Ambassador was also present at the event to promote her new book, Global Dream Ride (Siri 2).
While the media event ended in the afternoon, Asian dealers descended on the hotel for the official launch in the late evening and through the night.
PHOTO GALLERY
Monolock B32N-Advance Bold
L-R: Mr. On Hai Swee, Mr. Joseph A. Perucca, Mr. Sam Sharman
The GIVI Malaysia MotoGP Convoy 2018 continues with GIVI Asia’s annual tradition.
The National Museum was chosen as the starting point this year.
Participants received many great gifts including a ticket and special parking.
The GIVI Malaysia MotoGP Convoy 2018 continues on GIVI’s tradition of organizing a convoy to the Malaysia MotoGP every year.
GIVI Asia picks a prominent setting as the rendezvous (RV) point for the convoy each year. The National Museum got the pick for 2018. The museum’s mall area provided ample space for the bikes and registration desk.
Each participant had registered himself online when the convoy was announced last month. He then received a confirmation through his email. Lastly, he would show the confirmation to the registration desk at the start of the convoy to confirm his attendance.
He received upon confirmation:
A GIVI goodie bag;
A Castrol goodie bag;
One PA1 motorcycle parking sticker; and
One grandstand ticket.
Registration began at 7.30am. A light breakfast was provided at the museum’s cafeteria. Soon it was time to head out as the races have been moved earlier by two hours to avoid the forecasted rain later in the afternoon.
But first, GIVI’s representative welcomed everyone to the convoy. The Traffic Police officer in charge of the escorts gave his safety briefing afterwards.
The convoy departed from the museum, escorted all the way by the Royal Malaysian Police all the way. The convoy participants were thankful for the escort as they bypassed the notorious bottlenecks as they got nearer to the Sepang International Circuit.
A special parking lot had been allocated for the participants, avoiding the difficulty of locating spaces for themselves. The motorcycles are guarded throughout the entire event by GIVI’s staff.
The participants then proceeded to GIVI’s massive pavilion at SIC’s mall area. There, there were given their tickets and more gifts.
A tribune was also provided, right opposite the Team LCR Honda pits.
Make sure you join GIVI’s MotoGP convoy next year. It truly beats all the trouble of having to ride there yourself.
The GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling off-road event for enthusiasts ended highly successful.
It attracted 105 participants from Malaysia and the world over.
Everyone experienced the beauty of Malaysia regardless if they rode.
The fifth edition of Rimba Raid, Malaysia’s premier off-road event for enthusiasts, rocked to the nines.
It was a mere five months ago when Rimba Raid was organized at the sleepy community of Janda Baik, a stone’s throw away from Genting Highlands. A total of 60 competitors signed up for that edition, made up mostly of Malaysians with a few of neighbours from Singapore. Please click on the link below for our coverage.
This edition of Rimba Raid, on the other hand, was formally called GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling as the premier Italian motorcycle accessories manufacturer, GIVI, was the title sponsor. GIVI had not only brought along their booth to display a number of their latest products, but also supported the event by providing rider wear, goodies and lucky draw prizes to the participants.
Also present were Auto Bavaria BMW Motorrad, Ducati Malaysia, KTM Malaysia, and Red Bull.
Organizing the event at Mat Daling, Pahang was akin to returning home for Rimba Raid, as the inaugural edition was held there. However, instead of the individual tests formula followed previously, GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling was the largest and most ambitious venture ever devised and executed.
The main event was a timed 120-km Jungle Rally on Saturday (7th July), followed by a race on the river sandbank called “King of Sand” and Jungle Enduro on Sunday (8th July). Participants flocked in from all over Malaysia, plus those from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia, Philippines, Great Britain, Italy, France for a grand total of 105 participants.
“We have been hoping for more international participants, especially from Thailand,” said Dato’ Capt. Nik of the organizers, Rimba Raid. “There ten of them here at Mat Daling and that makes us really proud.”
“We’ve always sponsored top motorsport events such as MotoGP, World Superbike, CubPrix, Dakar Rally and many more. We also support many motorcycle adventure projects. So, it is only right that we work together with Rimba Raid,” said Joseph Perucca, GIVI’s Overseas Operational Director. Besides that, GIVI’s products have been well-tested in the tough environments of rallying and adventure rides such as the annual GIVI Adventures to various locations around the world.
It was easy to see why Capt. Nik and Rimba Raid love Mat Daling. The area is primarily for small scaled logging and plantations. A tarred access road was built only recently and didn’t even appear on maps. It is also a distance away from the tourist site at Kuala Tahan, which meant deep jungles and scattered development.
The participants assembled at the Xscape Resort at Kuala Tahan on Friday, 6th July. They were assigned their rooms before being called back in the latter part of the afternoon for scrutineering, equipment checks and transponder installation.
Rimba Raid officials checked each participant’s bike for road worthiness which meant working lights, turnsignals, horn, brakes, off-road tyres, and that everything is secured. A competitor must have an off-road helmet; body armor for the chest and back, elbows and knees; off-road boots; gloves.
Being a rally, participants of the GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling will be flagged off on 30-second intervals, and finishing positions are determined based on the time they complete the 120-km jungle trail. As such, accuracy in timekeeping is the utmost importance and could only be accomplished by using transponders.
With 105 motorcycles to check, the activity ran all the way to just before dinner time.
The bikes were divided into Class A, Class B and Class C, depending on the engine capacity (hence power output). Class A is for dual-purpose (D-P) motorcycles above 800cc, Class B for D-Ps from 400cc to 800cc and Class is adventure motorcycles from 250cc to 750cc.
Notable riders include Mohd. Habibullah Bin Mohd. Saleh, better known as Gabit (the 2016 FIM Asia Supermoto Champion, and Malaysian MX and Enduro champion);
past Rimba Raid Champion, Bee Wong and his younger brother who won at Rimba Raid Janda Baik, Alex Wong;
Malaysia’s No. 1 trial bike rider Acoi Pangkolo;
Mateo Graziani, the 2004 450cc-class winner at the Dakar Rally, riding the very bike he developed, the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled.
Rider briefing followed after dinner, with Dato’ Capt. Nik and Mr. Perucca delivering their speeches. Course planner and regular off-road guy Rob Armstrong presented the course briefing afterwards.
The 120-km Jungle Rally was divided into four sections, each with its unique features and challenges. Section 1 consisted of high-speed blasts on an active logging trail, wide enough for 10-wheel-drive timber trucks. Section 2 was mostly as hill climb over different terrains. Section 3 covered an abandoned timber route with tall elephant grass. Finally, Section 4 wound through an area prepared for plantation. Participants end their race at the river sandbank. We were also told to look out for wildlife.
GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling convoyed to the starting point from the resort at Kuala Tahan. The competitors were flagged off based on their competition numbers, while the medics followed after every few competitors.
The organizers, vendors and support entourage convoyed to the GIVI Village and tent city via the new access road.
News and drama started to filter through as the day progressed. The top guys were flying through through the sections with the jungle as the backdrop. There was also news of the jungle taking its toll on a few bikes as early as 10km into the jungle, while there were riders who got too tired to carry on.
But it was Gabit and his KTM 1050 Adventure that surprised everyone when he showed up even before the transponder crew had time to lay down the wires across the finish line to record his time. He rode up the finishing stage set up on the sandbank, had his picture taken, rolled back down to ride around for a few minutes and finally riding across the finishing line again to have his time recorded. Despite the hiccup, he still recorded an incredible time of 2 hours 33 minutes, 7 seconds. That’s an average speed of 47.02 km/h! That’s lightning fast for a ride through the jungle any way you cut it.
The second rider to appear out of the jungle was Graziani on the Ducati, who stopped the clock at 2h 41m 3s. It was definitely a valiant effort by Graziani who rode on a bike that was supposedly for light off-roading and more of a lifestyle product. Zulkarnain Tahir was 8 minutes behind Graziani on the rare BMW HP2 with a total time of 2h 49m 22s. Yes, many are still dazed to see the ultra-rare and desirable hence very expensive HP2 being bashed about in the jungle.
It was reported that Bee Wong’s KTM 1190 Adventure R suffered a front tyre puncture just 10km from the finish, but the plucky rider soldiered on to cross the line fourth.
In Class B, Nazmee Ramli won the race with a time of 2h 35m 28s on the BMW Sertao; Mohd. Syahidan was in second on the KTM 690 Enduro R with a time of 2h 48m 50s; and third went to Khairul Afif also on the KTM 690 Enduro R recording his time of 3h 1m 4s.
Alex Wong’s BMW F 800 GS has a fuel pump failure some 20km before the end, rendering him immobile.
Class C was of great interest to the fans and riders as it was a new class added to the Rimba Raid series. Ahmad Iezzam rode and incredible race to finish in 2h 28m 41s on his Honda CRF250L, followed by Mohd. Hairy who recorded 3h 19m 10s also on a CRF250L, and lastly Riza Zakaria on the new Royal Enfiled Himalayan with a time of 3h 26m 9s.
The participants retired to their tents set up on a field that evening. The winners’ prize presentation and lucky draw was held after dinner.
A special appreciation was also presented to the sole female rider, Echo Zhang from China.
Echo, the sole female participant
But while we slept under the Milky Way, the recovery crew worked through the night to pick up immobile bikes or whose riders could not continue were left on the trial. Bear in mind that the area is teeming with wild elephants, boars, gaurs, tigers and panthers, not to mention bees and aggressive bugs.
The Raja Pasir (King of Sand) race was held the next day, followed by the Jungle Enduro. We have yet to receive the official results, so we’ll report that in the next few days.
All in all, GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling was expertly organized. While it took the help of the locals and Orang Asli in the vicinity of Mat Daling to make it happen, the breadth and scale of the event was executed by the five members who make up the Rimba Raid committee. The trails were both challenging and fun in equal parts, there was plenty of support and everyone got to experience the beauty of Malaysia.
We spoke to a number of participants and everyone was positive about the event and wanted to do better the next time. However, it wasn’t very much about competition only; the spirit of camaraderie around the campsite was more of a community of off-road enthusiasts, which transcended ranks, the brand and type bike you rode; all were united as one people.
GIVI Asia has been announced as one of five new sponsors for the upcoming Le Tour de Langkawi 2018.
A total of 200 helmets will be given out to police, marshals and media personnel to be used during the race.
The iconic bicycle race will start from 18 to 25 March 2018 and will cover a total of eight different states.
GIVI Asia together with four other major institutions in Malaysia have been selected as the latest sponsors for the upcoming Le Tour de Langkawi 2018 bike race happening from 18 to 25 March 2018. A total of 200 units of GIVI M30 crash helmets will be given to the police, marshals and media personnel to be used during the race. (more…)
GIVI Malaysia telah membuka satu lagi GIVI Point yang terletak di Johor Bahru berhampiran Jalan Tampoi.
Ianya merupakan GIVI Point yang ketiga dilancarkan selepas Kuala Lumpur dan Pulau Pinang.
Bagi mereka yang membeli sebuah kotak dari GIVI Point Johor Bahru bermula sekarang hingga 19 Februari 2018 akan menerima sebuah unit lampu brek ketiga secara percuma.
GIVI Malaysia has opened up yet another GIVI Point located in Johor Bahru near Jalan Tampoi.
This is the third GIVI Point to be launched after Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
Those who purchase a box from GIVI Point Johor Bahru from now until 19 February 2018 will receive a complimentary third brake light unit.
Renowned Italian motorcycle accessory manufacturer GIVI has officially launched their third GIVI Point located in Johor Bahru near Jalan Tampoi. This is the third GIVI Point in the country after Kuala Lumpur and Penang. The launch was officiated by GIVI’s International Operational Director Joseph Perucca together with GIVI Asia’s managing director On Hai Swee. (more…)
The GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 headed to GIVI’s factory in Vietnam.
This is the birthplace of GIVI’s rainsuits and soft luggage.
GIVI carried out a CSR program called “Riding for Reading”.
17th November 2017, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Today marked the most important day of the GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 itinerary.
We were slated to visit GIVI’s factory in Vietnam, situated not far away from the hotel, where we were going to see not only how some of GIVI’s products were made, but more importantly, to attend a special Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.
We left the Merperle Crystal Palace Hotel at little later than usual, with the sun already up and shining. The rider with CBR600RR was back and we sure hoped he knew which way we were headed. We were worried about running headlong into HCMC’s traffic, that’s for sure.
We travelled on city roads for a short distance before we started veering into a smaller road flanked on the left by one-storey houses and a river on right. The road condition was good, despite a few patches covered in gravel awaiting their asphalt cover. Hot and dry conditions meant the lead bikes throwing a thick cloud of dust into the air.
Soon we arrived at the GIVI Vietnam HQ and were welcomed by the smiling staff. We were ushered directly to the large entrance to the factory, where a reception had been prepared with light snacks and drinks. We attacked the bottles of water and Pepsi as if we had just left the desert.
Also, there were the Italian Ambassador to Vietnam and the Head of the Italian Trade Delegation, along with Hendrika Visenzi.
Two of the Vietnamese crew had dressed up in the traditional Vietnamese dress, called áo dài (pronounced “Ao-Yai”). Yes, they were pretty.
The GIVI Explorers were then separated into two groups for a grand tour of the facilities. Our group was led by Giorgio Della Rosa, the Factory Manager and designer of GIVI’s riding gear.
This was the birthplace of GIVI rainsuits and soft luggage.
We saw how different materials came together, being cut to exact dimensions by using a hydraulic press or laser cutter, the stitched together by highly trained professionals, before being QC’ed and packed.
We saw the very same tankbags, soft luggage and waterproof we were wearing being assembled right there.
In the meantime, the GIVI crew had taken our helmets to a room in the administration building, where two ladies pinstriped on our names and national flags on one side of the chinbar.
The GIVI Explorers and other guests were then ushered into the conference room for lunch and the GIVI charity event called, “Riding for Reading.” This GIVI CSR initiative aims to assist Vietnamese children in primary schools by meeting short-term and long-term needs. For the near-term, GIVI donated writing and drawing utensils; and health insurance and scholarships in the long-term.
A spontaneous fundraiser was set up among the GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 participants, to which everyone was more than happy to contribute. A total of USD 800 was raised.
The kids came to meet us soon after, and it was a happy and emotional experience for all involved, as Ms. Visenzi and Mr. Perucca handed the items to them.
As Mr. Perucca said in his speech, the GIVI Explorer adventures have always been about learning and giving, rather than being just riding across the world.
With the Riding for Reading program done, GIVI presented gifts to the Explorers. First was renowned Vietnamese coffee, packed together with a set of serving cups, and the traditional Vietnamese conical hat called nón lá (translated as left hat).
It was time to say goodbye to GIVI Vietnam and head to our stop for the day. A few of the Vietnamese crew also joined us on the ride.
We cut a south-southwesterly course toward Cần Thơ (pronounced “Kan Ter”), the main city in the Mekong Delta, where the Mekong River empties into the South China Sea. The river life figures heavily here, including a floating market.
Unfortunately, one of the bikes developed a puncture and we arrived way after dark so there was no chance of us going anywhere.
