Malaysia Harley Owners Riding Experience (H.O.R.E.) Course #01/2013

HORE #01/2013
*photo courtesy of Sir Joe Labu

in the beginning it was known as Basic Riding Course (BRC) when it was first launched in 2009. back then when i developed the module of this course i was the Safety Officer for HOG Malaysia Chapter. the main objectives of this course was to provide a platform for the Harley owners in Malaysia to share good practices in riding Harley-Davidson bikes besides creating safe riding awareness among all. In addition, this program was introduced by HDKL as one of their value added services to the customers.

not like in US and Europe that they have Riders Edge program, there was no such structured program being conducted or organized before BRC. for the Harley owners in Malaysia most of us especially those coming since from the HD Dealer 222 PJ and HD Dealer Sunway were self thought and based from our year to year riding experience. some learn from the hard way which is falling off from the bike.... 

so in 2009, 4 courses were organized and conducted with some help from TJ (HOG Activities Officer '09), Kamil (HOG Secretary '09) and Nawi (ex Safety Officer '08). it's not easy to get the "buy in" from the Harley owners to participate to this program during those years. we been challenged by many bikers on our capability in conducting the course... some even question on how we could certified the riders where's we were not being certified by any certified organization i.e. JPJ, PDRM, etc. let alone on the course name it self (BASIC Riders Course) as some Harley owners were reluctant to join as they didn't see why they should come for a basic session where's they have been riding for many years.... in total, 35 Harley owners mainly new owners attended the course for the whole year of 2009. not bad isn't it..... ;-)

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. ” ― Alvin Toffler.

in 2010, we organized 4 sessions of the same course in that year with some changes to the name of the program. Thanks to Dato S.M. Zulkifli (CEO of Naza 2 Wheels) who always being supportive to us by giving great  advise and feedback on what we have done has suggested us to reconsider the course name to pull more participation from the Harley owners. BRC course was later known as Riders Orientation Program in 2010.

course name changed but nothing much changed so far in-term of the numbers of participant registered to the program. among the Harley owners, we heard some feedback that the word ORIENTATION has hold them back from joining the program. perhaps bad experience during orientation session in college still haunted their mindset... but we stay focus and always motivated to continue organizing and conducting the course when the dates came. that year in 2010, 45 Harley owners have attended our program ..... extra 45 people from the first year ;-)

since then the course name has not being changed. we organized 4 more sessions in 2011 and 2 sessions in 2012 (low session due to bz schedule). slowly but surely, the demand for the same course came from the new Harley owners. this time we thank the HDKL and their salesperson who keep on promoting the program to their clients.

this year 2013, the course has been face-lift with some additional input of it contents, slides, excercise, material and name. it's now known as Harley Owners Riding Experience or HORE (pronounce as "HO Rey"). HORE module includes :

1. Introduction to Harley-Davidson, it's stories and legacy

2. Safety & defensive riding - road positioning & riding strategy (new)

3. Risk Awareness, Risk Accepteance and Risk Management

4. Preparing to ride and pre ride inspection

5. Basic maintenance, routine services and planning your parts & accessories (new)

6. Riding skill

7. Incident & crisis management (new)

8. 8 riding drill (new)

9. HOG Membership via hog.com (new)

10. Riding in Group 

last 2nd & 3rd Feb, 24 new Harley owners have attended the HORE course. that was the biggest ever crowd we could get in a session so far. more sessions will be organized this year and this time not only it will be organized in HDKL PJ but will be in Penang too. 

next courses dates will be announce soon and we do hope many more Harley owners will join. for those in other states i.e. Johor, Terengganu, Sabah, etc. if you interested to organized this course at your place, do let us know and we will be much happy to come and jointly organize with you.

in-addition to HORE, some good news that we would also wanted to share which are, this year we will be launching 2 more new courses to the fello bikers. 

1. Road Captain & Road Marshal course

2. Initiating and organizing riding in group

till then, ride SAFE & continuously improve our riding skill ....

Roi

group debriefing after riding skill drill

riding skill drill - circle

riding skill drill - handling bike

facilitator feedback

demonstration - 2nd gear without holding clutch

riding skill drill - slalom

riding skill - stopping

close guide by course facilitator

ride it right

LOH - Noni

riding skill drill - maneuvering 

#3rd Week | #2nd Ride | 2013

this is the 3rd week of January 2013 and the weekend ride series continues after the Camping Ride which was held the weekend before. this time, i've invited Muhammad Adzri (Adik) and Jinggo to join me for the ride. since Jinggo bike is yet to be ready, he has borrowed Yasir Fat Boy for this ride and left Yasir at home.... hehehe... sorry brah...

our ride route = 135km

meet up point - Rawang R&R

the initial plan was to ride to Malacca. it has been awhile i've not riding to the historical state via the trunk road. I was planning to take some of the old Malacca houses along the way towards the town. unfortunately, the plan was not being materialized as we change the riding plan to Tanjung Malim instead for a breakfast ride.

that morning, Jinggo came to my house before we rode to the meet up point to meet Adik at Rawang. After 20 minutes ride from Subang Jaya we arrived Rawang R&R and Adik came slightly 3 minutes after we arrived. had 1 stick of cigarette, we jump onto our bikes and ride to Tanjung Malim.

Nothing much we did at Tanjung Malim except had a Nasi Lemak for breakfast and chit chatting about the ride. Jinggo suggested we detour to Kuala Kubu and chill ourself at the Pertak Waterfall. Since it was a hot weather that weekend and no objection to Jinggo plan, we make our move to the waterfall.

 We rode from Tanjung Malim to Kuala Kubu via the trunk road. Not much to view along the way except till i saw the road signage that show Kuala Kubu Road. From that signage then only i realized that the old trunk road was known as Kuala Kubu Road once upon a time. 

Kuala Kubu town is still a small town with not much development happening since my last ride to the same place 2 years back. We didn't spent much time around the town as Adik and Jinggo would want to dip themselves into the cilling water at the waterfall. not much story to share with you guys this time, except some awesome photos we took along the way to and comin back from KKB. enjoy.... :-)

Jinggo Zatarra + Fat Boy Low 

Adik Sea Shepherd

JDU 300 in action

last posing before heading back

#1st Week | #1st Ride | 2013

I was driving to Puchong last Saturday eve after the whole day doin nothing at home when suddenly  i received a phone call from Rid (Mohamad Riduan) inviting me for a ride on Sunday with a bunch of Sea Shepherd supporters. Without taking much time to think, i accepted the invitation and has promised Rid to meet him with the rest of the members at Puchong Gateway on Sunday morning.

I've proposed to Rid that the route for Sunday ride will be towards to Morib using combination of trunk road and highways.

As promised, i woke up early on Sunday morning and rode my bike to the meet up point at Puchong Gateway. 10 minutes late from the promised time and upon my arrival i saw Raez, Yassir, Jim, Rid and Aida already waited for me at the Petronas petrol station. Reza and Adzri can't make it with the group this time due to their late appointment last nite. As usuall, we had a stick of cigarette before makin a move when suddenly Abang Nazli stoppin by with his GS to say hi to us.

So 6 of us, that it... good enough to start the ride that morning and we make a move towards the SKVE to Morib. The initial plan was to ride through Dengkil - Banting trunk road but due to Yassir proposal, we have chosen the SKVE highway toward Panglima Garang in Klang.

It was a great day to ride, great weather with the blue sky and fresh air passing through us on the rides. SKVE Highway is still quiet with vehicles, perhaps not many people knew about it... so we took this advantage to ride and view the beautiful scenery along the highway. Only few spots on the highway were not even but manageable to ride safely.

Upon reaching at the end of the highway, we entered the trunk road from Teluk Panglima Garang towards Banting town. Traffic was quite heavy around the small town with people busy doing their weekend shopping at the market area.

6 Harleys on the road is great enough to shake the town with our roaring engine sound, but it just for awhile before we proceed the ride to Morib.

Arrived at Morib, we stop for a breakfast beside the beach. Not many people were around the place... perhaps it was too early for people to go picnic beginning of the year. As usual, we had chit chat over the breakfast and took some photos before heading back to KL using the same route.

The route we chose in general was a good route to ride. Many things you could see along the road and highways, mainly the scenery of traditional village houses and plantation. Good distance to cover for a short weekend ride so that you'll be back at home before lunch time. Just need to be extra careful of the local motorist that came out to the main road from the small junction and those that turn into the intersection from the main road.

Till the next ride... ride SAFE!!

Roi

Harley-Davidson Malaysia

Latest update in my blog :-)

 I just discovered about new things blogspot has created..... PAGES..!! i've created few pages and i'll be posting more soon... btw, few other updates which i did to my blog such as

 
i. changing the URL address from
http://roy-harleydavidson-malaysia.blogspot.com/
to
http://roi-harleydavidson-malaysia.blogspot.com/

ii. adding new image to the blog header to be more personalised.....

...so people, stay tune for more stories!!

Intro #1 - Makin my DREAM come true......Part 1

LIVE the DREAM - HARLEY DAVIDSON

Dear Friends.....

Tomorrow, 30th of October i will start my DREAM journey to reality! The journey which i've been talking for years, even before i have my HD Ultra. This journey that i've been DREAMing every nights.... this will be one of the journey that i wanted to do in my LIFE.

STOP DREAMING...!!!!

Talking about DREAM, how many people or you that have made your DREAM come true? I'm not sure bout u guys, but for me i'm lucky that i've made my DREAM come true few times..... being so passionate & a big fan to Harley-Davidson since i'm small kid......of course, my biggest DREAM is to own a Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide.... and i made it at the age of 30yrs old. Thank God....

My 1st ride with my Ultra - Penang Ride

ONE OF MANY RIDE 2008 - Hatyai Thailand

Owning a Harley is not easy in Malaysia... as the bike price is expensive.... way too expensive..... people says that Harley-Davidson bike is only for rich people... but i never listen to people... I didn't come from a rich family or being fed in silver spoon when i was baby..... i didn't have parents that gain so much money or income as both of them was just an ordinary teacher..... hence the only way to own a Harley at young age is nothing else except than work hard, gain more.... save more, pray hard, get the bless from your own parent and ensuring the motivation & passion towards it never less.... i believed in my passion, i believed in what i like most, i believed that nothing is imposibble and i believed that owning a Harley is the ultimate success for my self....... my believed is so strong and i'm proud of myself that i made it reality.

My second DREAM was to visit United States.... as i was too influence of H-D stories and US is the origin of Harley-Davidson. I'm always dreaming of being in the Uncle SAM land... not for the landscape, not for the people nor culture nor others..... but only for one, seeing H-D bikes on the road, meeting the proud Harley-Davidson owners, talk to them, share the priceless riding experience with them, seing their passions and riding H-D bikes on its motherland...... once again, US Trip - HD of Glendale California 2010

I made my DREAM come true as last February 2010 i was given an opportunity by HOG Malaysia to participate in the HOG Rally Coordinator Training (HRCT) 2010 in Austin Texas.

US Trip 2010 - HD of Central Texas

US Trip 2010 - Hollywood Sign

I cried once the plane touch down at LAX... thinking that how lucky am i and how my passion makin my DREAM come true.....I was there for almost 3 weeks , attending training program that not related to my daily job, spending my time sharing experience and being with a group of people that came from around the world, talking about our passion & interest, building relationship & brotherhood.... understanding the real spirit about Harley-Davidson... visiting almost 7 dealerships in Texas & Los Angeles, seeing H-D bikes on the streets and Route 66 - off corse! It was flawless, an awesome experience that i will never forget and i will share with my kids & grandkids one day......(by God Will)

US Trip - HD of Hollywood @ Hollywood Boulervard

HRCT Training Austin Texas 2010

That was pass......Now, i'm back on the road... makin another DREAM comes true....as i mentioned earlier....that tomorrow, Me & my Brother Jontrow will be riding together on our beloved & trusted Harley-Davidson bikes arround Peninsular Malaysia....knowing our own motherland, meeting more people & seeing our own culture in our own style.....

Bro Jontrow - SeDARAH Kepak Ride 2010

We will hit the road...day & night, we will stop at as many places we wanted to be, we will sleep in our tent, we will feel our own air, we will get burn by our own sunlights, we might get soak in our own rain..... and this is gonna be totally real as we will not dreaming anymore......!!

Our Mission!!

May God bless us, bless our journey and bless our wifes who are waiting at home & bless all the friends we made & meet along the way......

Bro Jontrow during the day he made his DREAM come true - Sportster 1200 Custom! 2009

We have decided.... are you still dreaming?

Harley Davidson XR1200 : SeGarang Namanya!!

Model XR sememangnya pernah saya terlihat di majalah dan melalui internet beberapa tahun yang lalu. Namun apabila Harley-Davidson of Kuala Lumpur (HDKL) melalui Naza Bike Prestige membawa model ini masuk ke Malaysia dan pertama kali melihatnya di depan mata, terasa semacam satu kelainan dan kejanggalan pula. Mungkin kerana fikiran logik tak dapat menerima realiti bahawa Harley-Davidson yang lebih sinonim dengan motosikal jenis easy rider atau cruiser kini juga mempunyai motor model naked atau streetbike seperti Ducati dan jenama-jenama motosikal Jepun yang lain.


Walau bagaimanapun, XR1200 sebenarnya bukanlah model yang baru dalam keluarga Harley-Davidson kerana model ini telah dibangunkan dengan berinspirasikan dari kejayaan rekabentuk model XR750. Model XR750 sememangnya terkenal dan banyak digunakan untuk perlumbaan trek berlumpur atau dirt trek di Amerika Syarikat. Manakala XR1200 pula mula diperkenalkan pada tahun 2004 dan ketika itu, ianya lebih menjurus untuk pasaran Eropah. Hanya kebelakangan ini, atas permintaan terhadap model ini yang semakin meningkat maka XR1200 kini bukan sahaja terjual di pasaran Eropah tetapi juga telah memasuki pasaran antarabangsa yang lain termasuk Malaysia.

Kerana itu apabila saja diberi peluang untuk memandu uji jentera ini saya begitu teruja kerana belum pernah saya memandu uji motorsikal Harley-Davidson yang berlainan dari biasa – XR1200. Memandangkan bentuk dan prestasi luar biasanya berlainan berbanding model-model Harley-Davidson yang lain, saya mengambil jalan selamat dengan memilih laluan yang lebar dan lurus sebagai permulaan dan untuk memahami karakter motosikal ini sebelum mencubanya di jalan yang berbengkang bengkok dan lebih mencabar. Selepas memanaskan enjin motor dan selesai membuat beberapa pusingan kecil sebagai senaman ringan, keluar sahaja dari bilik pameran Harley-Davidson di Petaling Jaya saya terus memacu motorsikal ini menuju ke Seremban.

Walaupun saiznya lebih kurus dan ramping sesuai dengan karakternye sebagai street bike, Harley-Davidson XR1200 sememangnya memberikan kejutan kepada saya ketika menunggangnya. Kedudukan seatnya yang setinggi 30.5 inchi dan ditambah dengan saiz saya yang agak besar membuatkan saya terfikir akan tampanan angin sewaktu menunggang. Namun sangkaan tersebut meleset kerana kadar tampanan angin adalah sangat minimal dan hampir tidak terasa sehingga membuatkan saya berasa begitu selesa menunggangnya.

Bersempena dengan namanya, enjin XR1200 telah dibina dengan berasaskan enjin Sportster 1200cc V-Twin Evoluation yang dilengkapi dengan sistem penyejuk air untuk prestasi enjin yang lebih baik. Hantaran kuasa XR1200 dengan nisbah mampatan 10:1, performance cam, pancitan bahan api dan heads dengan penyejuk minyak yang akhirnya menghasilkan 90 horsepower dan 74lb ft of torque secara lansung meningkatkan horsepower serta torque yang baik untuk meratah apa jua jenis dan bentuk jalanraya di mukabumi ini. Ditambah pula dengan system ekzos lurus 2-1-2 dengan kemasan satin chrome menyebabkan ianya bukan saja cantik tetapi cukup berkesan dalam menyalurkan tenaga keluar dari enjin 1200cc V-Twin Evoluation yang sungguh berkuasa itu. Tak hairanlah perjalanan dari Petaling Jaya ke Seremban hanya mengambil masa 35 minit sahaja dengan purata kelajuan 140km/j.

Perjalanan yang jauh menjadi lebih cepat sampai dengan keselesaan tunggangan yang luar biasa. XR1200 ini di lengkapi dengan handlebar lurus seakan motorsikal dirt bike yang membuatnya kelihatan lebih tegap dan mudah dikendalikan. Swingarm aluminium belakang yang terdapat pada motorsikal ini menjanjikan kendalian yang lebih baik berbanding swingarm besi yang terdapat pada model-model Sportster yang lain. Sebagai tambahan, dengan penyerap hentak boleh ubah di sisi swingarm tersebut ianya menambahkan lagi sokongan serta kestabilan kepada motosikal tersebut. Selain itu, dengan dilengkapi empat piston - brake disk berkembar Nissin dan Showa 43mm inverted fork hadapan, kesediaan motorsikal ini untuk berhenti dalam keadaan lebih stabil adalah lebih baik dan mantap berbanding model-model Sportster yang lain.


Kemasan XR1200 pula sememangnya unik dengan reka bentuk tangki minyak yang berlainan seperti berkonsepkan bentuk retro yang unggul. Di datangkan dalam tiga warna – hitam, kelabu dan merah oren, model XR1200 sememangnya menarik perhatian penguna jalanraya yang lain samada sewaktu memotong atau kadang-kadang ketika dipotong! Papan pemuka yang ringkas dengan tachometer analognya yang besar terletak di tengah-tengah di atas handle memudahkan penungang melihatnya terutama ketika memandu dan menukar gear. Manakala di sebelahnya terletak speedometer digital yang serba ringkas tetapi menarik. Butang-butang kawalannya juga besar seperti yang terdapat pada motorsikal model Harley-Davidson yang lain membuatkan penunggang mudah mengendalikannya terutama pada kelajuan yang tinggi.


Bercakap mengenai kelajuan tinggi, XR1200 sentiasa memberikan respon terbaik setiap kali throttlenya dipulas. Sewaktu menunggang kita boleh terasa kederasan enjinnya menolak motorsikal ini pergi pada setiap kali throttlenya diterjah, walau apa jua keadaan dan gear samada di jalan lurus mahupun berliku. Torknya yang deras membantu kelancaran motorsikal ini terutama dalam megambil jalan-jalan berselekoh.

Tukaran gear juga sangat mudah dan lancar terutama bila klac ditekan dan dengan sedikit pendikit, gear dapat ditukar ke gear yang lain. Gear neutralnya juga mudah ditukar walaupun dengan menggunakan 4 jari menekan klac.
Kesempurnaan pada motosikal ini mungkin tidak lengkap jika keupayaanya tidak diterjemah dalam bentuk konar baring. Tayar-tayar XR1200 sememangnya boleh diharapkan terutama dalam mencengkam permukaan jalan dan secara lansung membenarkan penunggangnya turun semaksimum 40 degree (kiri) dan 39 degree kanan. Walaupun pada mulanya saya agak sangsi, tetapi setelah dua tiga kali percubaan timbul pulak rasa keseronokan. Nah, sekarang lengkaplah segalanya untuk XR1200.

Mungkin cuma satu atau dua, kedudukan tongkat sisinya yang agak tersorok sedikit ke dalam dan di bawah pemijak kaki mungkin menyukarkan penunggang untuk menolak ia keluar. Selain itu juga kemasan dan bentuk seatnya adalah lebih baik diperhalusi supaya penunggang berbadan besar seperti saya dapat menunggang dengan lebih selesa dari memikirkan cara-cara untuk mengelak dari melecet di belakang peha.

Keseluruhannya XR1200 sememangnya merupakan sebuah motosikal yang unik dan mempunyai personality tersendiri. Tidak mungkin sama dengan model V-Rod atau V-Rod Muscle apatah lagi Sportster biasa. Keseronokan menunggangnya amat berlainan dan kelajuan yang diperolehi sememangnya memberikan kepuasan sebenar apatah lagi ianya sebuah motorsikal dari Harley-Davidson!!

Untuk pertanyaan atau tempahan, sila hubungi - Mr. Anis (H-DKL Petaling Jaya @ +6012 339 3242)

*This preview has been published in the WTR Magazine (Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei & Thailand) issue September 2009