Peminat Harley Davidson, mendapat khabar gembira hari ini apabila pengeluar motosikal Amerika Syarikat mengumumkan pelancaran semula wakil rasmi pengedar mereka di Pulau Pinang hari ini sekaligus menjadikan Harley Davidson Pulau Pinang pengedar ketiga rasmi di Malaysia selepas Melaka dan Petaling Jaya.
Tanggungjawab mengendalikan Harley Davidson Pulau Pinang kini di tangan GB Motorcycles yang menjalinkan kerjasama di antara Goh Brothers Group dan Kheoh Hock Seng.
Majlis pelancaran yang berlangsung hari ini turut menyaksikan pemilik Harley Davidson seluruh negara hadir dengan jentera masing-masing bagi memeriahkan lagi majlis pelancaran.
Pengarah Urusan Harley-Davidson Asia Emerging Market, Johan Kleinstuber berpendapat kerjasama dijalinkan bersama GB Motorcycles mampu membangunkan jaringan pengedaran yang kukuh di seluruh negara.
“Pengedar rasmi kami amat penting kerana mereka adalah teras dalam menawarkan keseluruhan pengalaman Harley-Davidson premium secara sepenuhnya buat para pengguna.
“Kami teruja dengan kerjasama terjalin dengan GB Motorcycles. Kami akan memastikan jalinan ini bertambah erat bagi membolehkan lebih ramai penunggang untuk menikmati jenama Harley-Davidson dan paling penting melahirkan generasi penunggang baru,” katanya.
Harley Davidson Pulau Pinang turut menawarkan pelbagai aksesori tambahan kepada setiap pengunjung yang hadir antaranya, pakaian, aksesori, peralataan penunggang, dan alat ganti pengubahsuaian Harley-Davidson.
Majlis pelancaran tersebut turut menyaksikan penyerahan unit pertama di Malaysia bagi model MY19 Tri Glide Ultra kepada seorang pelanggan di Pulau Pinang yang bernilai RM291,000.
The 2019 Harley-Davidson FLHT Electra Glide Standard has been launched in the US.
It has the basic features of the Electra Glide family but without a stereo and facilities for a passenger.
Harley reckons that it offers a rawer touring experience.
The 2019 Harley-Davidson FLHT Electra Glide Standard has just been launched.
By “Standard” it means that the bike is a “dressed-down dresser,” as the Motor Company calls it. What it does have are the trappings of the Electra Glide line-up.
Among them are the signature “Batwing” fairing, hard panniers, Milwaukee Eight 107 cubic inch (1753cc) engine mounted on the FLH touring frame. Additionally, there is cruise control, adjustable emulsion-technology rear shocks (instead of air-adjustable), bending-valve Showa forks, and Brembo brakes. Reflex linked braking system and ABS are optional.
Other details include cast aluminium wheels and polished chrome rocker cover, cam cover and derby cover. The company says the chrome treatment emphasizes the shape of the V-Twin engine.
However, what you don’t get are a sound system, passenger seat and the passenger footrests.
And oh, you can have any colour you like as long as it’s Vivid Black.
Harley-Davidson also said that the Electra Standard offers a “rawer touring experience.”
The way we see it, the bike is a good starting point for customization. A majority of custom Harleys don’t have accouterments for passengers, anyway. But the missing stereo…? Aftermarket 300-watt system, anyone?
We had a chat with Dato’ Anand, the President of Shadowfax MC.
The group is active in riding and performing charities in Malaysia and overseas.
There are further plans to ride in Japan and to London on their own Harleys.
One thing interesting aspect about motorcycling is meeting people from all aspects of life. We met up with Dato’ Anand, the President of Shadowfax MC for a chat.
The group consists of Harley-Davidson owners only and is very active in riding and performing charity work around Malaysia and overseas.
BikesRepublic.com:You own many Harley-Davdison motorcycles, and you took delivery of a 115thAnniversary CVO Limited (the exclusive version of the Electra Glide Ultra Limited) recently. What other bikes do you have? Dato’ Anand:I have a 105thAnniversary Electra Glide, 110thAnniversary Road King, the 115thAnniversary CVO and a Honda Gold Wing.
BikesRepublic.com:When did you start riding Harleys? Dato’ Anand:I started in 2007 on an Ultra.
BikesRepublic.com:What got you interested in Harley-Davidson motorcycles? Dato’ Anand:Harleys is about style and presence. It’s a recognized brand worldwide. I loved Harleys since I was young but couldn’t afford one yet. I rode a Kawasaki back then. But later I was the first customer when Harley was at Naza.
That was the 105thAnniversary Electra Glide. I paid for the bike when I was in Sabah while doing a charity for the China earthquake.
When Harley-Davidson came over to Gasket Alley (Didi Resources) 15 years later, I wanted to be the first CVO owner. I’m now looking forward to the next 4 years (2023 for the 120thAnniversary). Am thinking of getting two anniversary bikes, but after that (grimaces and gestured “no more”.)
It’s because I have too many bikes. Look at my Road King in the workshop now. I only rode from my house to Hard Rock Café and back. I use the other two bikes for overseas rides.
I did a Merdeka ride two years ago, from KL to India. We passed six countries: Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal and finally India.
We also rode in New Zealand.
The difference here is that we ship over our own bikes, rather than flying in and renting from there. Our trademark is to bring our own bikes.
I only rent my bikes in the US. Whereas we used our own bikes all the way to Sri Lanka, and Kunming in China. We’ve done Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam.
Next, we will head to Japan in May.
Phuket Bike Week is normal, we’ve also gone to the Tachileik Bike Week in Myanmar. I brought the HDPJ Chapter there in Myanmar.
BikesRepublic.com:How many members do you have in your club? Dato’ Anand:I’ve 23 members in our club. Everyone is active but usually only 10 will ride overseas. Others have their commitments and time constraints, so we understand. To us, family is the most important.
BikesRepublic.com:What is the main mission of Shadowfax? Dato’ Anand:We concentrate on doing charities. We look for those in need a provide our support. For example, a child needs money for school, we support. We should always do something good, give back to the community.
BikesRepublic.com:What activities are you planning for this year? Dato’ Anand:The other one is the ride in Japan. No one from Malaysia brought their own bike there to ride. Renting a bike overseas isn’t as nice as riding your own bike. We hold overseas rides annually.
For example, we went to Myanmar last year and completed almost 6000 km.
We are planning to hold a Merdeka ride from KL to London next year. We’ll meet with the Malaysian Ambassador there and hold the celebrations at the embassy.
Of course, we have short weekend rides for some breakfast or tea.
Besides that, we support all the local bike weeks. So next weekend (10-11thMarch) is the Terengganu Bike Week. There’ll be plenty of riding in March. There’s the Danok Bike Week, opening of the Penang branch on the 16th.
BikesRepublic.com:What do you think of Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya, so far? Dato’ Anand:HDPJ is very good so far. Good service from the staff, service crew.
BikesRepublic.com:How has HDPJ been supportive to you and your club? Dato’ Anand: We’ve not asked anything from HDPJ so far, but they should support the KL-London ride. The previous dealership supported tyres and servicing for our ride to India. It’s because we are promoting HDPJ and Harley-Davidson motorcycles. We’re riding our bikes all the way there.
We’re not asking for money, just tyres and servicing.
Anyway, I’d like to say that Shadowfax has proven that Harley-Davidsons can be ridden through rough situations. Everyone said, “Cannot, only BMW can.” But we proved it with the touring models. We rode for 12,700 km and earned an entry in the Malaysian Book of Record.
So far, no Malaysian has ridden to London on a Harley.
Harley-Davidson mungkin lebih dikenali kerana motosikal cruiser berkapasiti besar V-Twin mereka, tetapi, mereka juga pernah menghasilkan motosikal berkapasiti kecil.
Motosikal berkapasiti kecil ini adalah hasil daripada pembelian syarikat Aermacchi oleh Harley-Davidson.
Ada kemungkinan yang Harley-Davidson akan menawarkan motosikal berkapasiti kecil pada masa yang akan datang.
Harley-Davidson may be famous for heavyweight V-Twin cruisers, but they used to make small capacity bikes, too.
The small bikes were result of Harley buying over Aermacchi.
Who knows if the Motor Company will produce small capacity bikes again.
Think about Harley-Davidson motorcycles and your mind creates a slideshow of large-sized, heavyweight, iron horses that create micro earthquakes with their signature rumble.
But, did you know that Harley-Davidson actually produced small capacity bikes in their 100+ year old history? Yes, they did. Some worked, some were goofy, but all are gone.
However, there are rumors that the Motor Company will start producing smaller bikes again. The motorcycle buyer demographic has shifted over the years to smaller, cheaper and easier to ride bikes, so the mutterings may turn out to be true.
Let’s take a look at a few of them.
1948 Harley-Davidson S-125
Photo credit Dream Machines
Not everyone could afford and handle a Panhead, so the Motor Company decided to make a more accessible bike. The S-125 was a direct copy of the 1938 DKW RT125 two-stroke. Well, Harley didn’t “copy” the DKW illegally, instead the design was given to the USA a part of Germany’s war reparations.
As such, the same bike is seen as the BSA Bantam in Great Britain, Minsk in the USSR, Yamaha YA-1 in Japan. But it was also produced almost everywhere including Poland and Italy.
1958 Harley-Davidson Topper
Photo credit yesterdays.nl
The Topper was a rebadged DKW. It was powered by a 165cc, air-cooled two-stroke which needs to be started by pulling a cord, like you would a lawnmower. Sold until 1965, the first generation used the “Scootaway Drive” CVT. However, the belt fell prey to road grime and other contaminants, causing it to slip constantly. So, the updated 1961 model came with a sealed final drive.
1961 Harley-Davidson Sprint 250
Photo credit Pinterest
Harley bought an Italian company called Aeronautica Macchi, better known as Aermacchi. The result was a slew of lightweights. The bike was fun, according to classic motorcycle aficionados, but Harley fans didn’t like it.
1966 Harley-Davidson Bobcat
Photo credit Ride Apart
The Bobcat is the successor to the S-125. It had a novel feature of one-piece molded seat, tank and rear fender. Harley didn’t make many Bobcats but its styling influenced the “boattail” Low Rider, XLCR Sportster, Triumph X75 Hurricane and Spanish Bultacos and Ossas.
1971 Harley-Davidson Snowmobile
Photo credit oldmotodude.blogspot
Yes, it isn’t a motorcycle per se, but Harley is a motorcycle manufacturer. The American Machine and Foundry Corportation (AMF) owned both Harley and hence Aermacchi at the time. Besides the boom for mini bikes, the 70’s was also a boom time for snowmobiles. It started out with a 398cc two-stroke, before going up to 433cc. Nearly 10,000 were made by the time it went out of production in 1975.
1973 Harley-Davidson Shortster
Photo credit 2stroke.nl
That isn’t a typo, you read it right – Shortster. It was the Motor Company’s entry into the minibike craze during the time (read: Honda Monkey), besides introducing the brand to kids. Harley’s plan didn’t work, of course. Folks flocked the cheaper and more reliable Monkey.
1974 Harley-Davidson/Aermacchi RR250 Grand Prix Racer
Photo credit raresportbikesforsale.com
Four-time Grand Prix World Champion Walter Villa worked with Aermacchi to develop this 250cc two-cylinder two-stroke. He beat out Yamaha in the Italian GP at Monza in 1974 and 1975.
1975 Harley-Davidson SS350
The SS350 was a two-stroke single, the last from the Harley-Aermacchi venture. Harley’s involvement in the lightweight market was also coming to an end, having being beaten by the Japanese manufacturers.
The Northern Motorcycle Fest 2019 is set to welcome the upcoming Chinese New Year.
The event will be held in Ipoh and Langkawi on two separate weekends.
They are organized by Goh Brothers and Sheng Fatt Motor.
To celebrate the coming Chinese Lunar New Year, Goh Brothers and Sheng Fatt have joined forces to bring you the largest Northern Motorcycle Fest 2019 happening at two locations below.
Audi Ipoh – 18th until 20th Jan 2019
Volkswagen Langkawi – 25th until 27th Jan 2019
The Langkawi edition may be extra special, as we heard that special duty-free deals will be on offer.
The Northern Motorcycle Fest features four premium brands from Harley-Davidson, Moto Guzzi, Aprilia and Ducati with 1 direction. The event offers special promotional deals that are unobtainable from showroom floors. This is the best opportunity to kook out for those merchandize, accessories, riding gear and apparels you have been drooling over.
Also, owners of the four motorcycle brands can visit the event to have their pride and joy checked out. The event organizer will deploy their mobile team to check and service your motorcycle.
There will be great food and refreshments at both venues, for sure.
The two dates are additionally great for the owners to catch up with one another. Who knows, you could find the perfect kakis for future convoys.
For more information, please contact Mr. Kheoh at 012-401 8932.
The Kingz Motorcycle Group celebrated their 3rd Anniversary recently.
About 100 riders flagged off the MG’s clubhouse in Sentul.
The group rode through KL to Putrajaya and back to Jalan Tun Razak to complete the proceedings.
The Kingz Motorcycle Group celebrated their 3rd Anniversary recently.
The MG started their ride from their club house in Sentul in the afternoon. Nearly 100 riders took part. A great number of Kingz MG members are well-known throughout the motorcycling fraternity.
But what better way to celebrate a motorcycle group’s anniversary other than creating some heavy metal thunder. It must’ve been a proud day for the members as they rode as one, the wind blowing through their “colours” (the official group vests).
The group first rode from HDPJ through Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya. The riders stopped for some beautiful photographs while taking a short breather and jesting with each other. The majestic buildings of Malaysia’s administrative centre provided a wonderful background to the chrome, shiny paint jobs and rumble of a hundred Harley-Davidsons.
They adjourned from Putraja and rode to G-Tower, situated along Jalan Tun Razak for the remainder of the evening.
There, the riders were visibly elated and on a high from being in a brotherhood. They even poured water on each other after a group photoshoot.
A buffet dinner was served as they were serenaded by a live band who belted out classic “road trip” hits.
With support from Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya, the official distributor of Harley-Davidson in Malaysia, Kingz MG celebrated their 3rdAnniversary by cutting a cake decorated with the group’s name.
We congratulate and salute Kingz Motorcycle Group for bringing the thunder among the riders. May your club flourish and continue to ride for many years to come.
