A question the author is oftentimes asked is, “why do you ride? Isn’t it dangerous?” Depending on who is asking the question, my answer is, in turns, sarcastic, rude, patronizing or sometimes, just sometimes, I take the time and trouble to explain why.
This is, dear reader, one of those times. Sit down, make yourself comfortable and try and understand why I do this.
The “this” is of course, ride a motorcycle and write about it. More specifically, writing about motorcycles and motorcycling in paultan.org, a platform more for the car person.
There is a certain ‘image’ or ‘mythos’ attached to riding a motorcycle, most of it marketing hype perpetuated by the manufacturers. The mental picture of the “Lone Wolf” riding the highways, alone against the elements and railing against authority is a powerful image and one that sells bikes.
But, why do bikers do what they do? Why do they ride?
In Malaysia, as in most of South-East Asia, a motorcycle is considered to be one step up from a bicycle. Motorised transport, as it were.
Meant to be cheap, easy to maintain, reliable, a small motorcycle is used as family transport, business vehicle, school bus, daily commuter… You name it, it’s probably been used as such.
Then there is the other side of the equation, the rider who rides because he or she just… does. Going back to the question in the first paragraph, I am occasionally stumped when I am asked this.
Riding is as much as part of me as breathing. I can think of doing nothing else.
It is, intrinsically, a part of me as my writing. I ride because that is what I am.
So, for a certain segment of the riding population, and this is more apparent in First World countries than in the developing world, people ride for recreation. In Malaysia, we have both, the bikers who ride because they have to, because that is all they can afford and the bikers who basically own luxury toys.
Everyone in Malaysia is familiar with “rempits”, those young boys and souped-up small motorcycles zipping in and out of traffic, riding fast and dangerously. More than a few readers have had unfortunate encounters with these road hooligans.
The other is the super biker, who gets all togged up in a leather race suit and expensive helmet (sometimes not even that) and treats the road as a private race track. Most often seen on the Karak highway at weekends, behaving like everyone else on the road is to give way or suffer the consequences.
Then there is the rider who rides on the weekend for the pure enjoyment of it, meeting with buddies for a cup of coffee and a chat at some café or restaurant at a favourite ride destination. There are cross-overs, of course. The author is a good example of someone who rides daily because he chooses to, despite having other transport options available.
The riders who keep the big bike for the weekend or long trips and use a small motorcycle or scooter for daily riding duties and shorter trips. Then you have the rider who makes one bike, big or small, do everything.
But, why do we ride? Is there something special that sets riders apart?
For some, a motorcycle in their teen years is the first taste of freedom and independence. For others, it harkens back to their youth, of the time they were dating that hot classmate in college or the girl from the convent down the street.
And yet others take to the thrill of riding. For riders, the essence of the sport is your control over the motorcycle.
Fast or slow, a motorcycle demands attention from the rider, at all times. Failure to do so results in painful and expensive encounters with the tarmac, with road furniture, with other vehicles.
A car insulates you from the environment, a motorcycle makes you part of it. After all, motorcyclists are the only road users who carry their own crumple zones and impact absorption with them.
Hence, that sense of situational awareness and defensive riding on the road is second nature to every rider. Or if it isn’t, those riders tend to lead short but interesting lives.
Danger comes with riding and riders accept it as part and parcel of the sport. Of course, some riders have bigger or smaller risk appetites than others and in their wisdom, ride accordingly.
The gearing up, pulling on the boots and gloves, donning the helmet, puts one in mind of a knight going to battle. And for some riders that is the attraction.
Others prefer the cut and thrust of fast cornering and high speed. Still others take things off-road, where bike handling and reflexes are paramount.
Some take the long road, cruising along the highway for miles and miles, taking in the sights. Where, for them, the journey is as important as the destination.
And in this myriad of different motorcycle riding styles and riders, the one thing in common is, we ride. The author was once asked, “what happens when it rains?”
My answer to that was, “if it rains, you get wet.” Aside from tropical cloudbursts where vision is practically zero, I never stop for rain. And sometimes not even then.
Bikers tend to be independent, risk taking, fool hardy creatures. Who else would knowingly get on a vehicle that has no stability standing upright, with a fuel tank between the legs, with no protection other what can be worn, and ride?
Because, the mastery of a motorcycle is a rush like no other. Big or small, highway or dirt, hustling a motorcycle and making it submit to your bidding is a skill few master but many attempt.
A lot of writers have penned a multitude of words about riding motorcycles. Some wax lyrical, others are straight forward and to the point.
But I leave you with the words of Hunter S Thompson, one of my favourite writers and one who inspired me to start writing, some three decades ago.
“Faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.”
It says ‘the driver’ but riding motorcycles since a school boy till now. I can say this, once hooked it is a life long passion but let’s be real for once. I was fortunate to have lived overseas in temperate climates and participated in hobbies like motorcycling and cycling long distances. Nothing beats a cooler climate for 2 wheeled hobbies, it is a real pleasure to ride out with a slight crispness to the air and go out riding unlike in Malaysia where it is a sticky, sweaty experience happens to be a cool day which is rare. So think about it, it’s great riding (powerful) motorcycles (safely) but the thought having to dress up and then refresh yourself later and then rest is asking for a lot. Ditto for golf, jogging, etc.
Gaya, mutu, keUnggulan… “Lone Wolf” riding the highways, alone against the elements and railing against authority is a powerful image
If can afford, many will go for car. Dont know what type of survey is this.
I do afford car, but i like riding more. Save time in congested urban like kl and selangor. I carve my way in morning to drop my 1st to her office then to my office. Took about 40minutes. If i drve my car. Will take about 2 hours even i go out at 6.30am. that is the different. Its about time, less stress, can see kids earlier and spent time with them longer. Time with family is more precious. And yeah. I used alot type of bike already from moped to superbike. And yeah. Cars i own from sedan to mpv and yes, cars do run on weekend only. Family time
I guess u don’t have motorcycle license after all
Riding is fun. If fear or anxiety is too much to bear then go 4 wheels. 2 wheel is fun.. Fast or slow is matter of preference.. Hv not ride for almost 25yrs.. But a chance to ride last week when i send my sags for routine service is just too good to miss. 40km/h..the wind, the noise and the vibration.. Ha ha..
Many ride motorcycle because it sip very very little fuel. But since Brent Crude @ USD16 per barrel, our RON95 which price at RM1.25 when Brent used to be USD32 will become 63 cents this saturday. So very little difference Axia and motorcyle usage.
Nice write up sir – put in good perspective for car drivers and other homosapiens, most motorcyclists are good people. Only a few bad apples. Riding a motorcycle big or small is a thrill non riders would never know about. Ride safe !
Those Mat rider who hogged the whole Karak highway at weekends. Gotta e-brake my hypercar from 300kmh, further back in rear mirror that Civic 1.5turbo I juz smoked at 184kmh..
@Veyron Owner, I admire your fantasy…..
Good job. You just declared that you were speeding on a Malaysian highway. PDRM will use it against you and issue penalty soon. Dumba55!
Cringe
Why asked Superbiker? Please interview the daily commuting kapcai raiders and ask the same ? Why you ride? And what do you think is the key answer? I think you’re brilliant enough to know the reason.
I am both a driver and a rider. Not the usual mainstream user, I am equally passionate to both driving a car and riding a bike. I take the joy of both world into one, but they’re different kind of thrills. You have to experience both to enjoy the difference. I love a very good-handling machines, and took it to the limits. Never mind it’s slow, as long as I could hear the engines screaming at high rpm, and powerful enough to have a little slide at the rear end wheel(s).
Same here mate.. both driver and rider.. I was driving cars for most of my life .only the last 8 years I switched to 2 wheel..Like most teenage boy..my parents doesn’t allow me to ride a motorcycle as they deemed dangerous.Ok Those days I rode my bicycle like a maniac.. understood.. Nevertheless why the switch to 2 wheel you may ask. Well during those years we had a kind of construction going on all over my hometown and this creates massive jam..so story short,I got hooked on biking ever since..
I myself don’t own a big bike..just normal scooter for daily use.I do like doing sone longer distance rides.. Started from a 90 cc moped..As both driver and rider..I can say I appreciate the experience gained and be more courteous on the road .
are you treating vehicles and transportation overall as a game?
ahole like you needs to change the mindset, motoring is not about having fun and enjoyment on public roads, it must be solely for transportation purposes only, remember, you’re not the only road users!
well it shows they are not growing up at all
I’m an avid driver and also a big bike rider. I enjoy commuting by bike more not only do I feel that I have more road freedom and its faster than my car and fulfills the need for speed, I also use lesser petrol (when not full throttling), no need to pay parking fees and toll and not slowed down much in a traffic jam. Since I mostly use my bike for commute to work, I don’t have hot weather issues since I ride early morning/late evenings. I do equal amounts of driving and riding depending on the situation especially when I need to leave the office.
The rain part is a non-issue for me, just wear the rain coat over my riding gear and there is a silicone shoe cover that you can slip on. probably only takes 2-3 minutes max to put on the entire thing.
Stupid question for ppl to ask that. Why? Because in Malaysia it is a necessity for those who can only afford a motor.
Unlike in Western countries where riding an option and those who mainly ride are doing it for recreational purposes. Here we ride as our lives depends on it.
It is possibly the purest mechanical manifestation of the man & machine adage. Coming from sporty 4 wheels to 2, I’d say the only thing more visceral is probably sky diving.
Work in PJ with family staying in JB. Enjoy riding my Yamaha XJ6 PJ-JB-PJ on weekly basis (2016 until 2018). Only bikers understand why we love ride so much.
Riding is fun especially with big bike, you know there is a different kind of feeling, and freedom to roam the roads. rain or sun you must have the feeellll
First. Go anywhere.
Second. Park anywhere.
Third. Squeeze anywhere.
Fourth. Beat traffic lights que.
Fifth. No toll
Sixth. No jam.
Rain?? Rain coat ada… Bring it on.
for cars i prefer honda. for bikes, i prefer yamaha.
I ride because of traffic,
I ride because of the joy in blend with the wind,
I ride because of my passion in two wheels…
For me it very simple…if i drive my car, it would take more than an hour going or coming back from work…if traffic is very bad…might take 1.5- 2hours. On a bike, it will take only 30mins max no matter what the traffic is like….i can save 1-2 hours a day & used it to workout at a gym near my hse. If i drive, i’ll be miserable being stuck in the car & cant even exercise….Rain? I use goretech riding jacket, pants & boots….what rain??
The word “lone wolf” is cool. As I’m a rider with bike small and big bike. Why Malaysia ride is for easy and lowest transportation to work and hobbies for joy the tarmac and enjoy food with our buddies and for our memories. When is rain we stop at certain point and decide to continue after head count all the wolfs. It’s dangerous for me yes. “Lone wolf” or “The wolfs” ready to absorb the risk. Only true biker would feel the joy and satisfaction when it’s done.
The best answer are:
1) Cost
2) Time
3) Accessibility
4) Passion
Well written, brother. Ride safe, if we do meet on Karak, do wave back. Keep the good writing comin’.
Bike = hammer time (can’t touch this)
I like about riding because it gives me a freedom. My bike, winds, i and the road (corners).
i’m not a rider but i feels thrill whenever i’ve seen them ride on their motorcycles. it gives them a space for themselves. sometimes u just want to forget anything that happen upon you
Why are the facilities & infrastructure meant to cater to motorcycles designed for the Yamaha Passola 50cc?
Some of the bike parking places at famous malls are either dangerous or outright incompatible with anything larger than a 50cc moped.
Borrowing a quote from Jay Leno: “riding motorcycle is the closest sensation to actually flying!”
For me, my hardtail bobber is a classic piece of Art so riding it is a joy no different from a school boy riding his trusty “horse” while ownership takes the form of an Art collector yet with a shoe string budget.