Thunder with the boys from down under!

[nik.hisham]

Hi all,

Over the past weekend, I was out on another ride with some friends from Australia and Holland. In all there were 9 of us.

I had a great time, as usual. But I also had a real scare at one point, almost being collected by a speeding car (he was racing with a Volkswagen GTI and a Porsche) from the opposite direction, trying to overtake a bike over a double line in a sweeper. I'm quite lucky to be alive. I've spent the last 24 hours looking at the video over and over and over again. I could have got into a serious accident in so many ways. The more I view the video the more I'm thankful I didn't get hurt.

And then there was the highlight of the trip. This might sound stupid to everyone on this forum but after we got back, in started to rain - and I'm talking about really heavy rain. So I rode slowly looking for a place to stop and wait for the rain to subside. Normally, when I ride in the rain, I'm going just fast enough that only my arms get wet (with the windscreen up). But this time, I couldn't see and had to go quite slow and I was slowly getting wetter and wetter. At one point, my balls got wet and that put a really big grin on my face! After two days of riding in really hot and humid weather, the rain cooling my balls down was a great way to end the ride.

Any way, I've got some pictures and video as well. I'll put some up after I get off from work.

Nik.

 

[marcusorelius]

Hmmm wet balls? I perfer to get my wiener wet! :blush:

 

[wheatonFJR]

Glad you a had a good time...even more glad the car didn't take you out. :clapping:

They're out to get you...get used to it. :blink:

 

[SacramentoMike]

At one point, my balls got wet . . .
Any way, I've got some pictures and video as well. I'll put some up after I get off from work.

Nik.

NO, don't. Please.

 

[dcarver]

Sounds like it was close one. Good thing the boys were cool and collected..

 

[FJRONAMISSION]

No pics of the wet balls needed.......... :>

 

[wheatonFJR]

Now I get the title "...boys down under".

 

[nik.hisham]

At one point, my balls got wet . . .
Any way, I've got some pictures and video as well. I'll put some up after I get off from work.

Nik.

NO, don't. Please.

Sounds like it was close one. Good thing the boys were cool and collected..

No pics of the wet balls needed.......... :>

Now I get the title "...boys down under".

Lol! I'm laughing so hard I've got tears rolling down my cheeks.

Ok ok. Pics (of the ride )are coming up next post.

 

[nik.hisham]

So this was a two day ride, over the weekend. We had nine riders on Saturday and 8 on Sunday, riding through Cameron Highlands on the first day and Genting Highlands (a gambling/casino resort) and Putrajaya the second day.

We had riders from Australia and one from Holland.

1. Our bikes. Yep, that FJR is mine!

2. Saddling up.

3. Smile boys, you're on candid camera! Took these as we made our way to the start point of the climb up to Cameron Highlands, from the North.

4. To get to the starting point up north, we had to go via highway for about 2 hours. For the most part, the road was fairly straight and boring.

But occasionally, the highway would throw us some mild curves...

5. After two hours of boring highway, we stopped for fuel and got ready for the fun stuff!

6. And the fun begins! The journey up Cameron Highlands from the north starting point takes about 30 minutes at a moderate pace.

We start with some mild curves

But as we get higher into the mountains the roads get twistier... (is there such a word?)

and twistier!

On the bike in front of me is Kuhn from Holland.

7. Mid way up, we stop for a breather and to rehydrate.

And enjoy the views.

8. This is just after our stop, about a mile up the road. I took off first and parked on the side to take this.

"Selamat Datang ke Cameron Highlands" translated to English is "Welcome to Cameron Highlands"

9. It started to rain before we got to the top so we kinda sat it out for a while. Anyway, Kirren (in the pic, the guy on the left), had a problem with his bike.

As soon as the rain eased, we got back underway, but still in the rain.

All of us decided to not don any rain gear, wanting to be macho men on big bikes and all. Except for Dan, the guy on the GSX1000 wearing full leathers, we all regretted it as we got wet and the mountain air was pretty cold. When we stopped for lunch, Dan (in the pic, on the right) was the only one that had a cold milkshake. Every else had hot drinks.

10. After lunch, we were all set to make the descent via the south. Here are Kuhn and Tom on their bikes, all ready to go.

11. We took a while to make our way down on the south side. The roads are not as good, and the twists and turns are very tight. Plus it was getting dark, so we took it slow and easy.

So that was day one. I'll have day two in the next post.

 

[FJRBluesman]

That looked like a great trip! A little wet but...

 

[SacramentoMike]

Dayum, your pics are as good as your vids. Great locales you have to ride in. Thanks.

 

[nik.hisham]

Here are pics from the second day.

There were 8 of us only this day, as Kirren had problems with his bike and couldn't make it for the trip.

Our ride this day was similar to the day before in that we went up on one side of the mountain (back roads) and would come down on the other side (main highway).

We started out not as early as we wanted and there was rain to deal with as well. Bummer. But we rode on out of Kuala Lumpur heading towards Genting Highlands, which is the gambling capital in Malaysia (More on that later).

1. After about 30 minutes riding out of the city center, we stopped here at our normal spot to get a breather before we start our spirited ascent up Genting Highlands. In the pic is Naim - He's 50 but riding keeps him young! He rode an R1 that day.

The guys, (L to R: Dan, Tom and Mike) enjoying the scenery.

2. We left the rest stop and started up the snaky back road. At this point, we were away from the rain, and the road was dry. So that means good fun! For this pic below, it was pure luck that I got everyone in frame, and unobstructed - well, except Naim at the back. All I did was put the camera on rapid fire and reeled off the shots.

Tom on the SV1000

And Naim on the R1, bringing up the tail end.

Off they go. It took a while for me to pack up my camera gear and I couldn't catch up to them until I reached the top. So I don't have any more pics of the bikers - But I do have some video of my lonely ride up there, which I'll post a bit later.

3. Once at the top, we took a breather. Had some drinks, enjoyed the cool air, and of course, the company.

So let me tell you about Genting Highlands. Its one big resort - several hotels built right on top of the mountain, all interconnected and at the center of it all is one huge casino. There is also an indoor and outdoor theme park so the kids can play while the adults do their thing in the casino.

It is also the most famous gathering point for bikers and, as you can see in the pic, Ferrari owners in the country. On any given weekend, you'll see no fewer than 50 bikes at a time up here, and a few exotic cars.

Doing what I do today, I could live 2 lifetimes and still not be able to afford one of these..

My steed taking a rest.

Group shot! Note that behind the group, everything is white because we were surrounded by clouds.

And one last Ferrari shot.

4. The start of our descent took us through this series of 'switchbacks' - I don't know what else to call them. I actually have a great shot of this road from the top of the mountain and you can see the road from start to end. But for the life of me, I can't find it in my disk.

5. About 20 minutes later, we were out onto the main highway. This was the view from the cockpit.

6. We stopped for fuel and Tom started mucking around.

7. Our next stop was Putrajaya, the nation's administrative center. That building you see with the huge dome on top is the Prime Minister's office.

8. Traffic here was pretty heavy and so we creeped slowly forward. We were headed to that mosque in front, to park the bikes and see the place on foot.

Group shot at the main entrance of the mosque.

Group shot of the two-wheeled, crotch-rocket kind, in front of the mosque.

I was told the mosque has a capacity of 40,000 people.

Group shot in front of the Prime Minister's office.

So that was our trip. From there, we went back into the city to enjoy the views of the sky line before heading home - which was when we got hit by the rain again, and got my balls wet. I'm not sure if I have pics of that - the KL sky line, not my balls - but I do have video.

The videos may take a while, but I'll put them up later.

Hope you enjoyed the pics.

Nik.

 

[nik.hisham]

That looked like a great trip! A little wet but...

Yep, that it was. Actually, riding in the wet is quite nice - normally, it is very hot and humid here so a little cooling rain shower is pretty nice.

Dayum, your pics are as good as your vids. Great locales you have to ride in. Thanks.

Thanks Mike. Glad you enjoyed them.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Wow...great pics!!

I love the line "...he's 50 but riding keeps him young!" Wadcha say ya whippersnapper?

/hijack

I would say your definition of "old" shifts as the world turns at an increasing pace under your feet. When I was 14...35 was old. Now that I'm 50...I still feel like that 14 year old goof ball. I've ridden with/behind petey...who can leave me in the dust at any time of his choosing...and petey entered the world 20 years ahead of me. But I would definitely NOT say he is old.

/end hijack.

GREAT pictures and story.

Thanks for sharing...it's the sharing of stories, trips, insight, mech. knowledge, little tips, personal stories, etc. that make this site so great.

 

[flyball]

Great pictures and story Nik. If I ever get to your part of the world I'm expecting you to take me on a tour.

 

[JT 384]

Those were great pics! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Old Michael]

Holy ****, nik!! Remarkable shots and edits! I love them!

Please, keep doing what you do.

I do have one particular question, though.

In the pic is Naim - He's 50 but riding keeps him young!

What the HELL is that supposed to mean?! You gotta remember that this forum is geezer central. :lol:

Beemerdons & MadMike are gonna be hurt by this.

 

[MEM]

Fabulous photos, Nik.

Um.... could you PM me contact info for your friends ?

 

[beemerdons]

Fabulous photos, Nik.

Um.... could you PM me contact info for your friends ?

Ha, ha: Mary Ellen is the Winner! When I saw that photo of the young and handsome Aussie lads, I said to myself: "It's going to be a full on dead heat race between barb, Tyler and MEM as to who's going to be first to pounce on these hunky OZ lads!" Silver Penguin, Hello Kitty, Heidi and Kasey probably aren't that far behind MEM!

Nik, your Ride Reports and Photos are absolutely amazing! I mean truly some of the best work I have seen on our FJR Forum, and there are some great reports here!