riding up north

[maniahk]

hey peeps, guess some of u guys muz haf rode up north into m'sia or further even.. juz wanted to check out some stuff w ur coz i'm planning a ride up penang myself.. haha..

 

how's e condition of the road ar? lightings n all.. i mean the nsh, normal city roads i noe e condition.. haha.. been gg in to pump..

 

i've been contemplating to ride in e day or nite.. n my main concern now for riding in e day is engine overheating.. i'm on a dragstar now n dere aint a temperature signal light.. n i havent tried long dist riding b4 so i'm not sure how it'll fare.. in e day everything oso hotter ma, haha.. esp noon time.. tho got breaks during petrol top up but oso dunno muz wait how long..

 

if in e nite at least the nite wind can help cool e engine some more, but den how is e lighting on nsh? bad? or adequate? will i almost necessarily need foglights to c clearly or can i do w/o them?

 

please advice.. thx.. hee

[v2win]

hi maniakh....on a dragstar it doesn't matter whether you ride in the day or night ...the engine will take the harshes punishment that you can give...no doubt it's not liquid cool....Yamaha have been known for their well design 4-stroke air cool v-engine in terms of reliability.....fully service the bike before you go....the north-south highway is not lighted & it never will....only at certain highways intersection it is lighted.....the rest it will be in total darkness....extra headlight is a bonus...but it's not a must......watch out for some malaysian m/cycle that is not lighted at all...that occupies the extreme left lane of the highways...................

" Ride safe bro.....remember your love ones at home"

[Demon]

Originally posted by maniahk@Dec 11 2006, 01:51 AM

juz wanted to check out some stuff w ur coz i'm planning a ride up penang myself

I returned from my Penang trip last week. Road condition of NSH is excellence, although few sections were having road upgrading so narrow to single lane.

 

Don't worry about overheating, as long as you are on the move, there will be enough cooling to your engine regardless it's day or night.

 

Personally I don't find fog lights useful on NSH because the lane markings are clear. However if you intend to travel fast, above 140kph, pencil beam driving lamps are useful as they throw light as far as 200m ahead, but they also blind on-coming traffics.

 

I would suggest that you time your trip such that you will have daylight along the hilly section of the NSH between Ipoh and Taipin especially for first timer.

 

As this is the monsoon period, they will be plenty of rain, and floods are not unexpected, although I have not experienced it personally.

 

It's a long trip, I would also suggest you travel with company.

 

If you need to know where to eat and what to see, do let me know.

 

 

 

 

 

:bounce:

[dreamwalk]

where and when you intend to go?

 

tell us more details lah, who knows others wana join you?

[Alexander2004]

try not to go in alone? may it be robbery or bike down , there are still friends looking out for you if travel in group .

[nights]

Just to add-on:

 

- As a precaution, go for fully synthetic engine oil.

- Check the spokes of the wheels and tires.

- Bring along an extra tube for the rear.

- Have amble rest before setting out for a trip.

- Draft out your stops and traveling speed.

- Keep to the left lane on NSHW unless overtaking.

- Look out for nails when you are in Penang.

[maniahk]

hmm thx alot for the quick responses guys.. haa.. i'm aiming to do in penang island la.. hopefully can make it sometime this mth.. haha.. but i'm not so sure abt pillioning anyone in la.. haha.. feel like making a solo trip.. =p

 

anw nights u mentioned check e spokes n rim? how to check n check for wad? hee.. n extra tube for e rear u mean the inner tube hor? how much isit ar? haha..

 

alexander: robbery on nsh not so likely ba? haha.. unless u mean in penang.. dat one i not so scared la.. at least i got relatives in penang.. break down i think suck thumb ba.. haha.. tho i took down a number supposedly doing towing everywhere in msia.. was discussed in another thread..

 

dreamwalk: not i dun wan to gif more details la.. haha.. i still sourcing for info here n dere so when one fine day i feel like i'll juz get on my bike n say bye bye sillypore for a few days.. haha

 

demon: dat sounds cool.. at least i noe i can at least expect gd road conditions.. haha.. n i doubt i'd cruise my dragstar at 140, maybe an occasional wack to 140, but not all e way.. hmm w/o foglights ride normal or high beam if at night leh? haha.. n u mentioned too abt daylight between ipoh n taipin.. e roads r hilly n twisty?

 

v2win: dats another morale booster.. haha.. n yea i noe e msian mcycles.. haha.. went up kl in my fren's car b4.. dey were juz going agst traffic on the shoulder along nsh.. unlighted ones may be a hazard at nite..

[maniahk]

juz to sidetrack since talkin abt msia.. haha..

 

sometimes i wonder y dey repaved the roads in johor.. dey repaved a lousy bumpy road to a nice tar bumpy road.. haha.. so e bumps r smoother for motorists? =p

[nights]

Originally posted by maniahk@Dec 11 2006, 05:35 PM

hmm thx alot for the quick responses guys.. haa.. i'm aiming to do in penang island la.. hopefully can make it sometime this mth.. haha.. but i'm not so sure abt pillioning anyone in la.. haha.. feel like making a solo trip.. =p

 

anw nights u mentioned check e spokes n rim? how to check n check for wad? hee.. n extra tube for e rear u mean the inner tube hor? how much isit ar? haha..

 

alexander: robbery on nsh not so likely ba? haha.. unless u mean in penang.. dat one i not so scared la.. at least i got relatives in penang.. break down i think suck thumb ba.. haha.. tho i took down a number supposedly doing towing everywhere in msia.. was discussed in another thread..

 

dreamwalk: not i dun wan to gif more details la.. haha.. i still sourcing for info here n dere so when one fine day i feel like i'll juz get on my bike n say bye bye sillypore for a few days.. haha

 

demon: dat sounds cool.. at least i noe i can at least expect gd road conditions.. haha.. n i doubt i'd cruise my dragstar at 140, maybe an occasional wack to 140, but not all e way.. hmm w/o foglights ride normal or high beam if at night leh? haha.. n u mentioned too abt daylight between ipoh n taipin.. e roads r hilly n twisty?

 

v2win: dats another morale booster.. haha.. n yea i noe e msian mcycles.. haha.. went up kl in my fren's car b4.. dey were juz going agst traffic on the shoulder along nsh.. unlighted ones may be a hazard at nite..

Oh well, the problem with spokes and nipples are that they do, over a period of time, get loose. A lot of time, no one notices that until they are loose and fail. An easy way to test them is to just tap them. A loose spoke will have a dull sound, while a tight spoke will have a hi-pitched, tingly sound. If you have a loose spoke, the wheel will flex back and forth as you ride the bike thus, you will need to tighten it up with a spoke wrench but, too tight and the hub may explode so, do get a proper mechanic to help you.

 

The extra tube I mentioned is indeed the inner tubing. The reason why I mentioned getting one for the rear is because; the rear tire is often the one that puncture on the road. I can’t really remember the price but it should be in the S $30.00 range or lesser.

[Demon]

Originally posted by maniahk@Dec 11 2006, 05:35 PM

demon: dat sounds cool.. at least i noe i can at least expect gd road conditions.. haha.. n i doubt i'd cruise my dragstar at 140, maybe an occasional wack to 140, but not all e way.. hmm w/o foglights ride normal or high beam if at night leh? haha.. n u mentioned too abt daylight between ipoh n taipin.. e roads r hilly n twisty?

Don't worry about illumination. If your bulb is old, change a new one. Stock lamp is sufficient, and different people have different sensitivity for night vision. If you can't see so well, then slow down. It's not a race.

 

The hilly section between Ipoh and Taipin is not really considered twisty. I would consider Fraser or Cameron as twisties. Generally NSH is pretty straight except for this hilly section which has long curve bends, and the gradient is steeper. Do lookout for strong crosswind along this section.

 

This section is no more dangerous than any other part of the NSH, you will enjoy the ride more during the day as that is definitely the most scenic part along the NSH. There is a tunnel along this stretch too.

 

[maniahk]

Originally posted by nights@Dec 11 2006, 07:10 PM

The extra tube I mentioned is indeed the inner tubing. The reason why I mentioned getting one for the rear is because; the rear tire is often the one that puncture on the road. I can’t really remember the price but it should be in the S $30.00 range or lesser.

hmm.. but if say touch wood i get a burst rear, i'll still need help fixing it up rite? haha.. only difference is i now haf e necessary part so maybe if a tow truck comes by we can fix it on e spot.. haha

[v2win]

Originally posted by maniahk@Dec 13 2006, 08:49 PM

hmm.. but if say touch wood i get a burst rear, i'll still need help fixing it up rite? haha.. only difference is i now haf e necessary part so maybe if a tow truck comes by we can fix it on e spot.. haha

hi maniakh....a correct tyre pressure helps to weed off 'unnecessary puncture'... gain maximum mileage per tyre..attain the toppest speed your bike can give..helps saves fuel......it is little though..but it's there....

[nights]

Originally posted by maniahk@Dec 13 2006, 08:49 PM

hmm.. but if say touch wood i get a burst rear, i'll still need help fixing it up rite? haha.. only difference is i now haf e necessary part so maybe if a tow truck comes by we can fix it on e spot.. haha

From my experience, the people on the tow truck would be unable to assist you with tire change but rather they would bring you to the nearest motorcycle shop for help. It is necessary to bring along the inner tube as it is quite difficult to get a inner tube of your rear tire size in Malaysia.

[who_noe]

Originally posted by nights@Dec 13 2006, 11:34 PM

From my experience, the people on the tow truck would be unable to assist you with tire change but rather they would bring you to the nearest motorcycle shop for help. It is necessary to bring along the inner tube as it is quite difficult to get a inner tube of your rear tire size in Malaysia.

ya...they only help u to tow to nearest town

 

i experienced 1st hand...

[maniahk]

Originally posted by who_noe@Dec 13 2006, 11:56 PM

ya...they only help u to tow to nearest town

 

i experienced 1st hand...

ouch.. muz haf sucked huh? haha..

 

thx for e input guys.. hee..

 

1 more thing.. not hard to find petrol pumps along nsh rite? haha.. like 1 every 1-200 km?

[gohjohan]

Originally posted by maniahk@Dec 14 2006, 01:01 AM

ouch.. muz haf sucked huh? haha..

 

thx for e input guys.. hee..

 

1 more thing.. not hard to find petrol pumps along nsh rite? haha.. like 1 every 1-200 km?

Very easy, unless you're looking for a particular brand eg Shell or Projet. I wouldn't say for every 1 km, but on average about 150 km?

[maniahk]

haha okok thx.. anw i meant 100-200km.. rofl..

[active]

Looking at the concern raised on tyres in the discussion, have you heard about the Ride-on TPS Tyre Protection sealant yet?

 

It is helping motorcycle fleets improve their riders' safety by preventing roadside flats.

 

You may want to take a look too as it will improve your safety.

[lang]

I rode my old draggie up on to Genting in daylight once. After 6 hours of sun exposure, my arms swell so much that it was very difficult to ride back home.

 

SO! BRING and USE sunblock! If you are riding high noon.

 

Also, when possible, dun keep extreme left. Becos, there might be bikes overtaking parked cars and they drift in and out like nobody business. And then also the trucks, dun follow them. Watch for the speeding coaches, they are e biggest road hazards. I think center lane is best.

 

At the tolls area, bikes keep left and go into that narrow bypass lane. Some places, the lanes really too narrow for us cruisers and still the small MY bikes wants to overtake. Anyway, those lanes are not well lighted and not well maintained.

 

When is your big trip ?

 

 

============++++++++++===============

Lang's Journey.

2003: Draggie FT3XX7T, Genting

2004: Draggie FT3XX7T, KL

2004: Volksy GT9XX3M, SG-Mersing-Kuantan-SG

2005: Calliste, SG-PortKlang-Penang-LangKawi-Phuket

2006: Mazda6V6-rental, Vermont-NY-CT-NH-ME-Montreal

2006: New "2nd hand" motor, Draggy FX1XX8R

2006: New car, Dreamy SGPXXXXP

[nights]

Originally posted by active@Dec 22 2006, 09:13 AM

Looking at the concern raised on tyres in the discussion, have you heard about the Ride-on TPS Tyre Protection sealant yet?

 

It is helping motorcycle fleets improve their riders' safety by preventing roadside flats.

 

You may want to take a look too as it will improve your safety.

This is simply because the product is fairly new in Singapore and none of the people is here have given it a test before for long trip traveling at a high speed up north compared to riding on Singapore thus, it would be almost impossible to give a reasonable usage experience of this product.

 

Cheers!