[Trip Review]Riding Safe on the NSH to/from Cameron High with my phantom

[Funky]

Just to share some experience after a solo on the N-S highway to/from Cameron Highlands (C-H).

 

1) Bloody speed demons! They weave in and out from fast lane to slow lane and back like F1 drivers and comes in small (cars) and big sizes (trucks/coaches). If any of these demons hits me, I can be sure it will be a hit and run case!

 

2) 110 km/h is a joke for these speed demons, 140km/h is just a snack for them.

 

3) As my phantom is slow, I try to keep close to road shoulders as in riding just beside the white line. I ride within the road shoulder at times but on many occasions find my view blocked by a long vehicle near bends and suddenly 50m ahead there is a stationary vehicle just in front (even more dangerous at night!)

 

4) I try to be careful when overtaking slower vehicle from right outer line. Everyone on the N-S highway is faster than my phantom. I usually had to go full throttle when overtaking from right even then my phantom is like a snail. So I usually prefer to overtake from road shoulder instead.

 

5) Take frequent breaks. I ride my phantom at 100km/h (based on the speedometer but real speed is slower) for 100 km plus or minus then stop at R&R for short breaks.

 

6) I tail a slightly slower vehicle at night (keep 20m to 30m behind) to use its headlights for luminance (while riding close to the road shoulder line). Phantoms headlights are pathetic and N-S highway is pitch black at night. So best is don't ride phantom at night on N-S highway!

 

7) Watch for any temporary traffic signs that indicate danger (like exclamation sign or the word 'AWAS'). Be prepared to slow down but don't slow down just yet! Although the traffic signs will indicate the appropriate speed limits and due to road works, a 3 lane highway become 2 or even 1 lane, most Malaysian vehicles ignore these speed limits and never slow down! One time, I had to throttle hard as the vehicle behind breathe down on me.

 

8) Occasionally, as I am overtaking from road shoulder, some long vehicle drivers will eat into the road shoulder as well. I don't know if it is deliberate or not. I will horn and try again. (Happened at least twice). I don't know if signaling my intention (left signal) when overtaking on road shoulder helps but I saw this Malaysian biker doing it. Any ideas, anyone?

 

9) I realize it is best not to climb C-H at night. It is cold even with full jacket and gloves (I wish I had my leather gloves on instead) and to be exact it was actually evening (around 6+ pm to be precise) when I reached one of the peaks.

 

10) I try to scan the side mirror for trailing vehicles when going up or down C-H. I will then signal left, ride into the left shoulder and let the faster vehicle pass. That way there is no stress for me to go fast on an unfamiliar mountain road.

 

11) Even though I don't speed, I still mis-timed certain curves on the mountain roads and eat into the other lane on a few occasions....luckily for me!

 

12) If the speed is too fast while navigating the curves on C-H, one danger is point 11, the other danger I realize is swerving too far out into the left as there are sands and gravels just besides many of the roads (perhaps a result of soil erosions) and changes of skidding is high.

 

13) I used a lot of engine break to slow down. I realize when unsure about the speed while approaching a bend on the C-H, just close throttle and engine break first. If too slow, I can throttle a bit. If still too fast, I can then apply the brakes. Once, I was behind a landrover when coming down C-H, it was terrible to smell the burnt rubber.

 

14) I used the Simpang Pulai exit to go up C-H, it is the newer road and supposedly with a more gentle slope. Never tried the Tapah route but it is reportedly more steep. Looking at the map, it seems the Tapah route should be shorter. Any comments from those who tried both?

 

15) I realize with my phantom I need 12 hours to/from C-H. So to make full use of the daylights, it is best to start the journey before 6 am.

 

Cheers and safe riding!

 

P.S. - For those who think riding to C-H is dangerous, think about taking a coach bus at night to C-H. It is probably speeding at 160/170 kmh in the pitch black highway, up the equally pitch black mountain roads. The only consolations are you got convenience and comfort, and if anything happens you probably only realize it when you wake up in heaven.

[Silent Hunter]

Wah! Take so long ah?

 

If going at constant 110-120 km/hr including short breaks should only take 9-10 hours max.

 

Good points though.

[Funky]

Wah! Take so long ah?

 

If going at constant 110-120 km/hr including short breaks should only take 9-10 hours max.

 

Good points though.

 

Tired bro....after 1 hour of riding take a break sometimes less than an hour already break....haha.

 

But you seriously go at 110-120 kmh on your phantom? To hit 120 is like full throttle for me....really no problem for your engine?

[Silent Hunter]

No problem. Just don't full throttle all the way.

Did a non stop trip to KL with only 1 lunch break at the flyover with the A&W some years back.

 

Full throttle will get you to 140km/hr on a flat road, but it takes a long time to build up the speed.

The needle will go up very slowly after 130km/hr.

 

By the way, 105km/hr on our Phantom meter is only 90-91km/hr actual speed.

So go ahead ride at 110-120km/hr, it's only 110km/hr at most.

 

What I did during the ride was to full throttle, get the speed up to 130 + km/hr, then ease off the throttle until it is hovering between 110- 120 km/hr. That way I won't be road hogging at actual speed of only 85km/hr on a 110km/hr road.

Edited September 15, 2013 by Silent Hunter

[Funky]

No problem. Just don't full throttle all the way.

Did a non stop trip to KL with only 1 lunch break at the flyover with the A&W some years back.

 

Full throttle will get you to 140km/hr on a flat road, but it takes a long time to build up the speed.

The needle will go up very slowly after 130km/hr.

 

By the way, 105km/hr on our Phantom meter is only 90-91km/hr actual speed.

So go ahead ride at 110-120km/hr, it's only 110km/hr at most.

 

What I did during the ride was to full throttle, get the speed up to 130 + km/hr, then ease off the throttle until it is hovering between 110- 120 km/hr. That way I won't be road hogging at actual speed of only 85km/hr on a 110km/hr road.

 

Thanks for the info bro. Can ask how many hours did you maintain at that speed?

 

Will give it a try....anyway, very old phantom liao......if it breaks, it breaks la.

[Silent Hunter]

2 whole hours, lunch break plus pump petrol, another 2 hours before reaching Klang Valley, then.... .... 1 hour lost in KL turn here, turn there cannot find the correct road!

[tabung]

Nice one Gd trip for lone rider

[Funky]

2 whole hours, lunch break plus pump petrol, another 2 hours before reaching Klang Valley, then.... .... 1 hour lost in KL turn here, turn there cannot find the correct road!

 

Good one, bro! You can go for 2 whole hours non-stop. 1 hour is enough for me liao, haha!

 

I hate KL roads, it is like a labyrinthe.....i siam as far as possible....keke.

[jaabberwocky]

Rode once with a pillion on my old TA200 to KL, was quite a tiring journey as I had to ride on the shoulder the entire way and had to max the throttle to prevent any tailgating or sideswiping! Thoroughly enjoyed the ride though. Looks like you enjoyed yours too! Good read

[naim]

firstly congrats on making it that far! for me, one trip to malacca was all it took to realise i need a bigger bike if im gonna start touring regularly. no doubt the phantom can do it, but i find it risky with no power in case i nd to get out of trouble. maintained at ard 120-130, but was really tiring. i think my rest time more than the travelling. LOL. if u gonna do it frequently, u may wanna consider at least a 2A bike. promise you, no regrets and u will get to enjoy yourself more at the destination rather than KO on the bed. haha!

[Funky]

firstly congrats on making it that far! for me, one trip to malacca was all it took to realise i need a bigger bike if im gonna start touring regularly. no doubt the phantom can do it, but i find it risky with no power in case i nd to get out of trouble. maintained at ard 120-130, but was really tiring. i think my rest time more than the travelling. LOL. if u gonna do it frequently, u may wanna consider at least a 2A bike. promise you, no regrets and u will get to enjoy yourself more at the destination rather than KO on the bed. haha!

 

Agreed, I saw a group of Malaysian super bikes going up C-H while I was coming down. It was great to see a bunch of kakis on super bikes.

[letsrock]

I wouldn't do it if I was riding a phantom bro