Next Ride

WCR 2009 PROPOSED PROGRAMME
(22nd, 23rd & 24th of May 2009)

DAY 1 - (Friday)

1200 hrs – Arrival of GWS @ Pahang - Terengganu border
Arrival of Northern & Thailand Wingers @ Kelantan - Terengganu border

1300 hrs – Arrival of VVIP @ Crystal Mosque
Friday prayers for Muslims

1400 hrs – Lunch with VVIP (t.b.c)
1500 hrs – Depart for Permai Inn Hotel
Registration & Check In
High Tea Reception
Free & Easy

2000 hrs – Depart to Istana Maziah
2030 hrs – Royal Dinner with DYMM
2230 hrs – Return to hotel & rest

DAY 2 - (Saturday)

0700 hrs – Breakfast @ Hotel
0825 hrs – Morning briefing by Marshall
0845 hrs – Group Outdoor Activities
1300 hrs – Ride to Restoran Puteri for Group Lunch
1430 hrs – Free & Easy @ Pasar Payang (Shopping Spree)
1600 hrs – Return to hotel escorted by PDRM
1700 hrs – Free & Easy
1930 hrs – Grand Dinner with disabled, special children and old folks
2100 hrs – Stage games
2130 hrs – Stage Performances (Guests Artistes)
2230 hrs – WCR Lucky Draw & W CR Annual Auction
Mock Cheque Presentation
WCR 2010 Announcement

DAY 3 - (Sunday)

0700 hrs – Breakfast @ hotel
0830 hrs – Final Morning briefing by Marshall
0930 hrs – Group photography session
PDRM & Terengganu wingers escort participants to border
Goodbye & See You @ WCR 2010

Trip up North

The game plan was simple. Ride until my bum got sore, then find a good place to take some pictures, grab something to eat and go on from there. Easy peasy. Except for one small problem. When I hit the border, some 450km later, I was still comfortable, cool and relaxed.

Best I press on then; but instead of going into Thailand I made my way back towards Penang. The first reason for stopping (apart from the fill-ups) was hunger. Grab a sandwich and keep going. All in all, I did just under 750 kms that day, without a single twinge, ache or grumble. That's impressive. For the bike I mean. ;-)

tbc (maybe)

R1200GS

Beijing 2008

This child was seen trying to catch up with his mother and a younger sibling who were like 50 meters ahead of him. Run boy run!

beijing 2008

Cute. He was asking me to fix his toy (I think) shortly after this picture was taken.

Chengde 2008

beijing 2008

Chengde 2008

3 Day Marathon Gig...briefly

I have been known to refuse gigs played at No Black Tie before. But I can't refuse Melissa Indot (1st night), Cheong The "Chinese Brazilian" (2nd night) and on the 3rd and last night, Valtinho Anastasio, who flew in from Brazil the night before the gig.

Melissa this time pulled up a few surprises with her new "rock" repertoire (how about Sweet Child of Mine? :))that brought the house down as usual. Gary Gideon on drums; Sham Kamikaze: guitars; Jenny: piano; Izzat: percussions.











It's great to be playing with Mac Chew again after so long; backing up Cheong Lee this time. Chicka from Japan was guest musician that night playing some beautiful saxes. Would have loved to have her play more. Mac Chew: piano; Martin Ngim: drums; Cheong Lee: guitar/vocals; Chicka: Saxes



Valtinho was again in his elements with some very ferocious percussion and batucadas. Val: percussions/vocals; Nizam: percs; Ajacko: percs; Jenny: piano; Cheong: guitar/vocals



3 night straight, 3 different kind of repertoire and not forgetting all 3 nights were full house! Great week!

ps. I play bass btw : )

F800GS

Tried one (and the new 650GS) at the BMW booth but only around the limited space. Nice, not too huge like the 1200's. Super comfy. I suspect this bike will be very capable on road, performance ought to be like an SV650 on steroids. Comfortable upright position and seat. Front fork springs were really soft :-(

Quiet.
Tubed tyres.
Light (tank empty though)
Tight turning radius
Chain drive

Targets riders wanting more manageable, affordable and off-road capable equipment.
Parallel Twin from the 800 S and ST models with a steel-trellis chassis roughly resembling that found on the HP2.

price comparison
BMW’s F800GS £6,695
Tenere £4,899
DL650 VStrom £5,649
Honda’s Transalp £5,399
MALAYSIAN OTR PRICE RM80,000

2009 F800GS Base Model -
Available Colors - Sunset Yellow and Dark Magnesium Metallic, (Red??)

Standard Package
- Heated Grips
- ABS
- Onboard Computer
- White Turn Signals

Additional Available Equipment
- Anti-theft Alarm
- Low Seat (no cost)
- Center Stand
- BMW Motorrad Navigator II GPS
- Engine guards
- Akrapovic Silencer
- Service Tool Kit
- High/Low Windscreen
- Handguards
- Luggage
- Crash bar
-

Overview of the main features of the new F 800 GS:

* mid-class adventure-tourer with excellent off-road properties and long-distance capabilities.
* Liquid-cooled parallel twin with 798 cc capacity, four-valve technology and unique mass balance.
* Rev-proof DOHC valve drive via cam followers.
* Manifold injection with electronic engine management BMS-KP, lambda probe and regulated three-way catalytic converter plus secondary air system.
* Closely stepped six-speed transmission for excellent riding performance.
* Dirt-resistant secondary drive via O-ring chain.
* Torsion-resistant tubular steel frame with unusual gusset plate reinforcement of steering head.
* Easy handling and extremely tight turning circle.
* Stable telescopic fork, USD fork with upright tube diameter 45 mm.
* Double-strut swing arm in die-cast aluminum.
* Spring strut with adjustable spring pre-tension and adjustable rebound damping; WAD function (path-dependent damping as in the R 1200 GS).
* Long spring travel for comfort and off-road suitability.
* Excellent seat comfort for rider and passenger.
* Tank underneath seat, for best center of gravity, with easily accessible fill opening.
* Powerful braking system, with ABS if required.
* Air filter and battery positioned behind steering head for easy maintenance.
* Wide range of accessories for off-road and touring use.

The most important details at a glance:
* 85 HP
* Valve timing like F 800 S
* Wide radiator
* Off-road-look fairing
* High windscreen
* USD telescopic fork
* WAD spring strut
* Spoked wheels
* 21-in front wheel
* Double-disc brake, floating, front
* Aluminum handlebar
* 880/850 mm seat height
* Ready-to-ride weight 207 kg

BMW F 800 GS Technical Specifications
Engine
Capacity cc - 798
Bore/lift mm - 82 / 75.6
Power kW/HP 63 / 85
at engine speed RPM 7 500
Torque Lb-ft 61
at engine speed RPM 5,750
No. of cylinders 2
Compression/fuel :1 12.0 / Super unleaded (95 RON)
Valve/gas control DOHC (double overhead camshaft)
Valves per cylinder 4
Valve diameter inlet/outlet mm 32 / 27.5
Throttle valve diameter mm 46
Mixture preparation Electronic manifold injection, engine management BMS-KP
Electrical system
Generator W 400
Battery V/Ah 12/14
Headlights/rear light W 55 (full/dipped beam) 5 parking light. LED(braking/rear light)
Starter kW 0.9
Power transmission/gears
Clutch Multidisc clutch in oil bath, mechanically activated
Gears Dog-coupled six-gear transmission
Primary transmission 1:1.943
Transmission, gear stages

1:2.462
II 1:1.750
III 1:1.381
IV 1:1.174
V 1:1.042
VI 1:0.960
Rear wheel drive Endless-O-ring chain drive with back damping in wheel hub
Transmission ratio 1:2.625 (16/42)

Chassis
Frame design Tubular frame in steel, partly carrying the engine
Wheel suspension, front wheel Upside-down telescopic fork,
fixed tube Ø 45 mm
Wheel suspension, rear wheel Double-strut swing arm, aluminum cast in one piece
Spring travel front/rear mm 230/215
Castor mm 117
Wheel spacing mm 1578
Steering head angle ° 64.0
Brakes front Double-disc brake Ø 300 mm
rear Single-disc brake Ø 265 mm

on request: BMW Motorrad ABS, disconnectable
Wheels Spoked wheels with aluminum rims
front 2.15x21
rear 4.25x17
Tires front 90/90- 21 54 V
rear 150/70-R17 69 V

Dimensions and weights

Total length mm 2,320
Total width with mirrors mm 945
Total width without mirrors mm 870
Seat height mm 880 (optional 850)
Dry weight kg 178
DIN tare, ready to drive kg 207
Perm. total weight kg 443
Tank capacity l 16 ..?? :-(

Travel data

Fuel consumption 90 km/h l/100 km 3.8
Fuel consumption 120 km/h l/100 km 5.2
Acceleration 0–100 km/h sec 4,1
Maximum speed km/h over 200

MODIFICATIONS TO BE MADE:

1. Airhawk seat
2. Vent protector
3. Screen extension
4. Grip protectors

Wrong Way Round Like Ewan and Charlie

draft saved under same heading

Sepang GP and Sebastian Klein

Sebastian's F800GS at the Motorrad booth

Me and Sebastian enjoying the Moto GP :-)

Spent the whole day at the Sepang GP today with Sebastian Klein, a German rider who had just completed a 6 month ride from Germany to India then flew his bike from Chennai to Port Klang in Malaysia. And what a nice guy he is. Shared a lot of tips and stories with him. He is off to Cameron Highlands today and going to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and possibly China.

All the best to you Sebastian and thank you Audrey!

20 sept 2008

20 sept 2008

Borneo Trip 2008

Borneo trip done!! Started 22nd August - finished on the 1st Sept.

Day 1 : Arrival Kuching
Day 2: Kuching to Sibu
Day 3 : Sibu To Gua Niah
Day 4: Gua Niah - Miri - Brunei
Day 5: Brunei - Sarawak - Brunei -S'wak - Brunei - Swak - Brunei - S'wak -Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) -- Go figure
Day 6: KK- Padas - KK
Day 7: KK - Crocker Range - Keningau - Tenom - KK
Day 8: KK- Kudat
Day 9: Kudat - Kinabalu Park - KK
Day 10: National Day Ride
Day 11: Depart Sabah

Borneo

Email read: "Wanna go to Borneo for a ride? BMW Motorrad is sponsoring the bike. Flights, food, lodging will be taken care of, all I want in return is an article about the trip." or something to that effect. This was from none other than the editor of msportbike herself.

Hmmm.. let me see..... Borneo. Sabah, Sarawak... hmm... bike...? ....Motorrad?

15 minutes of rapid email ding-dong-ing later - oh hell, yes, I’ll go!

This ride would be called Kembara Motorsikal Borneo 2008 or KMB 2008, an eco-tourism expedition where 20 high-powered motorcycles will be riding from Kuching, Sarawak to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah from the 22nd of August till the 1st of September 2008.

KMB 2008 is supported by the Malaysian Tourism Ministry and among the 20 participants, 4 international motoring journalist are included:

1) Kenneth Robert Freund of BIKE SA (South Africa)
2) Thomas Wielecki of TWO WHEELS (Australia)
3) Howard Stafford of FRICTION ZONE (U.S.A)
4) Me representing MSPORTBIKE (Malaysia – Singapore – Brunei – Thailand)

Me?? Oh Gosh! What mess have I gotten myself into?

"Bring your camera, have a relaxed holiday mood, then jot me your feelings (and some facts) on what you experience throughout the ride", wrote Audrey, the editor - calmed me down a bit.

A glance through the program convinced me I can do this trip. Not too gruelling or too arduous it looked. The only potential problem is riding in a big group which just isn't my cuppa tea.

I'll do it anyway, for the love of it. And who knows better things might come out of this say, BMW sponsoring me for the Cape Town trip? :)

Now time to head for the gym and get a haircut. :)

Go, Go Away!

Sure, I expect negative responses from potential sponsors that I write to but they are sometimes followed with a goodluck wish, a referral to other companies or individuals. A simple no would suffice.

But this one I received from a lady had me in shock! :)

"Sorry, I couldn't support you anything that I am not helpful lady, I never borrow from other, and either lend anything to others, go, go away, go and ask for other people, hope nobody will help you with cold word. Why you want to help orphans? they always steal".

- name and email witheld -
(though i am itching to have her name, email, "BIG" and "SUCCESSFUL" company name printed here!)

Sigh..... She thinks orphans are thieves!

Are you nuts?

Is it dangerous? Maybe. Will it be difficult? Probably. Is it worth the discomfort, frustration, anxiety and the full range of human emotion?

Yes, Yes, Yes

Why?

Why not?

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom

TE Lawrence wrote in The Seven Pillars of Wisdom:

All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusky recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.

Sweet Jelica

I was so touched and almost cried (seriously) when this sweet Croatian lady sent this message to me.



Jelica Dimić-Rakar (Croatia) wrote at 2:59am

It's great to do such a zest thing.It's great when somebody has a dream and goes to realize that.I hope,Norman ,you will make it.I wish you that with all my heart.Everybody must have a dream to be alive.Wish you all happines in the world.I hope you will be happy on the end of your journey.

Robert Prisig

’…..through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You are a passive observer and it is all moving by boringly in a frame. On a bike that frame is gone….. you are in the scene and not just watching it anymore’’ ---- Robert Prisig - Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Orphan (from the Greek word ορφανός)

Every day, all over the world, more and more children are being orphaned and abandoned. To help raise awareness and important precious funds to combat the above, I am going to ride from Kuala Lumpur to South Africa by the most overland route possible. It is my intention to raise a substantial sum via donations, pledges and sponsorship for the orphaned. Let's give them hope.

I will be covering over 50,000 kilometers across 50 countries using the least amount of sea and air travel possible.

The entire cost of this expedition is being funded by fellow facebook friends, my sponsors and myself.

Talking to myself and feeling old........ (Remember Karen?)

"A beautiful family, a job which is "all play", a comfortable home.......", I hear me talking to myself (which happen to be quite frequent lately).

Why leave all this for the dusty roads; don't-know-where-to-sleep-tonight; oh no! out of gas!; trigger-happy-16-year old border officials; changing a flat tire in the middle of nowhere; Sudan.......!!!; стоп!! или я снимаем!!!!? And I can list a hundred more.

The other me (almost Gollum like) says, "If I don't do it now, I'll never do it, EVER! So there.

ps. oh yeah, стоп!! или я снимаем!! means; Stop!! Or I Shoot!!!!