Why riding on the edge in Malaysia is dangerous – take it to the track, public roads are not for racing

Posted by メルビン on Friday, 10 January 2020

Most of you will have read the article on the Ulu Yam road crash video where a speeding car crossed the centre line and was hit by an oncoming vehicle. Now here’s a video from the day before, showing a convoy of motorcycles cutting across the road centre line and into the path of an oncoming car.

Thankfully, there was no mishap and the driver of the car, who recorded everything on his dashcam, was kind enough to be paying attention and slowed down to avoid collisions. Yes, collisions, as the line of riders was stretched out and cutting the apex coming through a corner.

The manner in which these riders were taking the corner was dangerous, not to mention against the law. This is something we’ve all seen especially if you travel the Karak Highway on weekends and head up into Genting Highlands or Bukit Tinggi.

Why riding on the edge in Malaysia is dangerous – take it to the track, public roads are not for racing

While the author understands the need for speed despite being a “slow” rider, something he is fond of saying is, “choose your battleground carefully.” This means riding to conditions and being respectful and courteous to other traffic.

If a rider really wants to go fast, there is are track days at about RM350 per half-day session or more, or various race series held year-round in Malaysia. For basic, fun racing, there is Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF) or Malaysian Superbikes (MSBK), two local race series held at Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Additionally there are smaller scale race promoters like BRAAAP Racing, who organise several races for small capacity machines at SIC and other circuits in Malaysia as well. For those riders who complain that racing is expensive, the reason for the cost is not profit for the race promoter but safety measures to ensure, well, your safety.

Why riding on the edge in Malaysia is dangerous – take it to the track, public roads are not for racing

For riders, if you are riding fast enough that you are uncomfortable leaning your bike to negotiate a corner following an acceptable line without crossing the centre line, then you are riding too fast, don’t know how to ride your bike properly or need more training.

Taking a corner on two-wheels means having to lean. The faster and tighter the corner, the more lean is needed. In physics, the forces governing cornering are immutable, unless your name is Marc Marquez or Randy Mamola.

A motorcycle negotiating a corner is a ballet, and balance, of centrifugal and centripetal force, of acceleration and braking, of tyre hysteresis. There are many riders who put down money for the latest, fastest superbike but have no clue in how to safely handle their machine.

Why riding on the edge in Malaysia is dangerous – take it to the track, public roads are not for racing

Think this is a joke? The author has been riding for 38 years, on road and in competition, on diverse surfaces, and is a fair judge of a rider’s ability. A rider unsure of his or herself on a motorcycle is readily apparent and will be a danger to not just others but also to themselves.

Conversely, there is the rider who rides with his ego, using speed to intimidate other riders. This is notably so amongst the group who frequent the Karak Highway, taking corners at speed well above 250 km/h and giving the highway its infamous sobriquet, the “Karak TT.”

So, what is to be done? Well, for one, speed doesn’t kill but the deceleration upon impact with an immovable object does. Road conditions are constantly variable, and going up the Genting road at 9.00 a.m. is not the same as descending at 11.00 a.m. after your coffee at Starbucks.

Why riding on the edge in Malaysia is dangerous – take it to the track, public roads are not for racing

Rider training is available in Malaysia, from pure speed schools like California Superbike School or the Ducati Riding Experience. For those needing to brush up on road riding skills, places like Most Fun Gym or instructors like Haizal Omar, Remon Azrem, Oh Kah Beng and Eric Yong are more than happy to take students under their wing and teach them the art of cornering.

There are of course spurious people who purport themselves to be “instructors” so credentials should be examined carefully, along with references and background checks in the industry. For any rider, young or old, experienced or new to the sport, proper training will pay dividends.

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Mohan K Ramanujam

Coming with diverse and extensive experience in heavy engineering, Mohan enjoys making anything with wheels go fast, especially motorcycles. His weapon of choice is the Desmoquattro engine, and he has a penchant for anything with a dash of Italian design. Strangely enough, he insists he's a slow rider.

 

Comments

  • Can I Advise Sumthing on Jan 14, 2020 at 8:27 pm

    Good advice En. Mohan …. hope the same advice can be advised in PT’s versi BM jugak….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 32 Thumb down 3
    • Chavez on Jan 14, 2020 at 10:03 pm

      Too many ah bengs racing their Vios and City mod kaw on Kesas weekend nites. The highway so big, 3-4 lanes but these ah bengs with their fengtau music sapu corner on all 3 lanes endangering the lives of other road users every nite.

      The polis cannot do anything because these yahoos have links to Triad gangs or of their parents, so they scared to stir shits with these rich and powerful ganglands that has ties with the current government leaders.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 5
      • Safety Comes First on Jan 15, 2020 at 11:14 am

        Talking about before buying cars with more safety with good quality.

        Nowadays Malaysians wants a car with more safety instead of driving Honda with no AEB, no land departure warning, no rear cross traffic alert and no blind spot monitor. Even people also make too much huge complaint about service and quality at Honda.

        Yet, Malaysians are so brainless of buying Honda with no AEB, no land departure warning, no rear cross traffic alert and no blind spot monitor. As well as, Honda Cars with poor quality and aftersales services.

        That’s why you see how many people causes accidents on the road? Probably could see Honda cars stopping on highway/road during the accident. Moreover, this also could causes injuries to the drivers and passengers in the car. And also when the car quality like Honda is poor especially if don’t service the car properly , it could may also breakdown and immediately stop on highway too. Probably may the other car could also hit the breakdown car.

        So anyway, that’s the reason why the safety is very very important to all of you before you buy cars

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 38 Thumb down 16
      • Safety First on Jan 15, 2020 at 12:20 pm

        Like these ones?
        https://paultan.org/2020/01/13/dont-take-racing-to-the-streets-take-it-to-the-track/
        https://paultan.org/2019/01/22/plus-wants-speed-trap-cameras-on-penang-bridge/

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Safety First on Jan 15, 2020 at 12:22 pm

      No point to talk about safe driving/riding when our authorities do this:
      https://paultan.org/2020/01/14/50-discount-on-traffic-summonses-fr-jan-18-pdrm/

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • Mr Zhaf on Jan 14, 2020 at 10:16 pm

    Good advice bro…
    Very dangerous…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • blame it on youtube/facebook/gopro/instagram – everybody want to be a superstar…

    bet the riders some have gopro equipped ^^

    alot of them can go fast on straight road only…pathetic

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Anonymous_C on Jan 14, 2020 at 10:48 pm

    Road is for sharing, but bikers tends to take it to next level… thanks for highlighting this!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • redpilled on Jan 14, 2020 at 10:58 pm

    Masalah Nye bro Mohan these are perasan riders full of ego instead of skill or a level head. Maybe the roads would be a lot safer if they all just crash an burn altogether. Rich or poor young or old Dato or not, if they ride like douchebags they belong in a body bag. I wish them a quick trip to the other side.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
  • Empress Dowager Tsai English on Jan 14, 2020 at 11:31 pm

    No one can stop them from rushing to get death certificate. But we should prevent them taking other innocent life together for their stupidity.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Anonymous on Jan 14, 2020 at 11:35 pm

    Cutting into the opposite lane is just plain STUPID… if you want to ride fast you still must abide by the rules. You must know your limits and boundaries at all times.
    Some people have no business being on the road… whether big bikes, small bikes, cars n such… because of their attitude. They are ignorant of the consequences of their actions.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • v-tec fan on Jan 15, 2020 at 8:40 am

    let’s make Malaysia road a safer place to ride and drive.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • same goes to those driver who doesn’t keep in their own lane. who simply cut lanes without signal. coming out from a junction and drive super slow when an oncoming car most reaching.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • Robinhood on Jan 15, 2020 at 9:30 am

    Yes, please take your hobby to the track. Don’t endanger the other road users. There have already been few bad incidents in the Hulu Langat, Beranang & Lenggeng area besides Genting Highlands. Hope the police is doing something about this and impose heavy penalty on these IDIOTS!!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Copy Paste on Jan 15, 2020 at 4:00 pm

      Copy paste: “No point to talk about safe driving/riding when our authorities do this:
      https://paultan.org/2020/01/14/50-discount-on-traffic-summonses-fr-jan-18-pdrm/”

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • vivizurianti on Jan 15, 2020 at 9:59 am

    There are plenty of youtube (both local and oversea) that seems to promote “win” riding (dangerously). When ppl saw such videos, they copy such things, not knowing the risk, hazards and danger awaits….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Ben Yap on Jan 15, 2020 at 10:54 am

    if the car driver were to ram into these bikes, he will be acquitted from charges right? since it’s the bikes fault.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • xoxox on Jan 15, 2020 at 11:45 am

      hmm…this one…i also not sure…coz seems like bikers in Malaysia are over protected as well..for sure the car insurance NCD is gone…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • xoxox on Jan 15, 2020 at 11:40 am

    Actually i got argument on double line issue with some retards before…those rider say bike no need follow the lane…no need see the line…even can ride on double line…some Malaysian bikers really pro…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Aikon on Jan 15, 2020 at 2:43 pm

      Those are the morons. They’re the ones that give proper riders a bad name. There will always be bad apples in the damn barrel

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
    • Not Toyota Fan on Jan 15, 2020 at 2:53 pm

      Bikers memang tak payah ikut law. They can ride the bike macam bapak dia punya jalan, nay, bapak dia punya negara.

      No point having a “discussion” with this type of idiot, they will drag you down to thier level of idiocy.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
      • Troll Hunter on Jan 15, 2020 at 5:15 pm

        Why does it sound like our low level mentality resident troll? :hmm:

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 4
      • xoxox on Jan 16, 2020 at 9:52 am

        yea…that why i unfollow the thread and stop debating… :P..wasting my time

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • komarad on Jan 15, 2020 at 12:13 pm

    it seems like even the road didn’t have any lines…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Stone on Jan 15, 2020 at 12:19 pm

    Can they ask you to slow down? I saw some of the bigger bike riders flagging on-coming cars to slow down for them to pass or for the convoy to do whatever they like! Some tries to direct traffic to a point they try to stop vehicles as well. What authority do they have to do that?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Not Toyota Fan on Jan 15, 2020 at 1:07 pm

    Riders ke, drivers ke, both 2×5. They don’t care about safety of other road users, only care about their racing line.

    They won’t pay to go into the track, even if they can afford it. Majority won’t spend 350 for track time, preferring to use that to mod the vehicle.

    The only saving grace is that once they grow older, they’re much wiser but a new generation takes over the mantle. It’s a never ending vicious cycle that will be forever, knowing Msian attitude.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Sylvester Jr. on Jan 15, 2020 at 1:56 pm

    Hello pulis, mari buat operasi sini. Semalam sudah baca article pasal kereta bawak laju laju. Ini hari baca pasal motor laju laju.

    Tapi roadblock takdah mau ok? Sangat bahaya wor…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Rulered on Jan 15, 2020 at 4:13 pm

    When a car is driven at above 110km/h it has somewhat its bumper, engine bay and other collapsible area to absorb the impact. A motorcyclist, at the same speed has their arms, legs, body and head to do the exact same thing. I leave it with your imagination of the outcome.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Hafiz Hisham on Jan 15, 2020 at 5:18 pm

      Motor crash at 110kmph, badan berkecai.
      Car crash at 110kmph, badan pun berkecai.

      Aik! Macam mana pakai kereta badan pun berkecai kan? Kerana kereta yang digunakan tu kereta Perodua…..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
  • Seann on Jan 16, 2020 at 12:55 pm

    FACTUALLY…… these bikers don’t care and do not give a toss. If they get knock and fly off the bikes, they THOROUGHLY DESERVED IT, THROUGH AND THROUGH, as they do not respect the LAWS of the road nor respect other road users. They think they ride a big stinking 6 digit bike and they can do whatever they like.

    Furthermore, if you look at the history of police traffic enforcement, WHEN DO YOU EVER SEE THE POLICE CATCHING THESE BIG BIKE RIDERS ??? NIL…!!

    Like I said, if these reckless riders get knock over from their reckless bike riding, they thoroughly deserved their comeuppance.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Khairul Khalifah on Jan 28, 2020 at 8:58 pm

    These are mostly weekend warriors. They hutang maximum to buy the biggest bike their credit rating will allow, but skill so-so… so they bring their kapcai habits over the big bike world, where there are only 4 rules:

    1) Car hit bike, it shall be car’s fault.
    2) Bike hit car, it is still car’s fault.
    3) Bikes have the absolute right of way at all times.
    4) Traffic rules are for noobs.

    But the one law of nature to counterbalance these 4 rules is this:

    1) Anything happens, the biker dies.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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