The Golden Triangle Rider

FB666Y · Posted: 12.03.2008, 09:17 Post subject: The R1's Borneo Romp

So the bike sprouted wings and flew Pegasus like over the ocean and found itself in Kuching.
Here are some pics of the recent Borneo trip: from Kuching through Brunei and into Sabah.

While the bike flew the expensive seats in MAS I had to take the cheapo seat on Air Asia from KL to Kuching.
The is the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) - sounds as bad as Budget Terminal.

The bike in Kuching cargo building

Unleashed and in the streets of Kuching.

Here are some pictures of Kuching:

Kuching

FB666Y · Posted: 12.03.2008, 09:17 Post subject:

Bako National Park is amazing - huge and beautiful but you better be fit if youre planning the walks through the jungle.
Our 5.8km walk through the jungle lasted 4 hours and we were drenched in sweat. Some pics from Bako:

I paid one of the stalls to look over the bike while we were off galavanting in Bako National Park

Crocodiles!

Bako National Park

FB666Y · Posted: 12.03.2008, 09:17 Post subject:

Riding to Matang Wildlife Centre and got caught in a Barisan National rally.

Almost there

The road into Matang

Finally at Matang

Matang Wildlife Centre

FB666Y · Posted: 12.03.2008, 09:18 Post subject:

The ride from Kuching to Sibu is about 450km and passes right next to the Indonesian border.
The roads are bumpy - too bumpy for the R1 - it was bone jarring at times.

On the road

Sibu

FB666Y · Posted: 12.03.2008, 09:18 Post subject:

We rode from Sibu to Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei - another 450km-ish distance.
I was very glad that I hadnt seen a single palm tree. I was soon to be disappointed -
the new route that run parallal to the sea to Miri was choked full of kelapa sawits.
At least the route was in good repair and the R1 was pushing up to 160kmh.

On the road

Border crossing into Brunei

FB666Y · Posted: 12.03.2008, 09:19 Post subject:

Border formalities are pretty straightforward - the only problem is that there are 10 - yes ten - border crossing, ie Sarawak to Brunei, Brunei into Sarawak, again Sarawak into Brunei, finally out of Brunei into Sarawak, and finally Sarawak into Sabah. You will be stamped at every entrance/exit.

Finally into Brunei - damn shouldnt have filled so much in Sarawak!
I wish petrol prices were like this! The R1 will fill up under ten dollars. They had controls though - Malaysian vehicles couldnt fill up more than $10.00.

FB666Y · Posted: 12.03.2008, 09:19 Post subject:

Some pictures from Bandar Seri Begawan. BSB has my vote as the cleanest city in South East Asia.
The city gets somewhat deserted by early evening though - most of the action is along the waterfront area:

Bandar Seri Begawan

FB666Y · Posted: 12.03.2008, 09:20 Post subject:

The ride from BSB to Kota Kinabalu involves waaaaay too many border croassing and 2 ferry crossings:

The road to Kota Kinabalu

At the hotel in Kota Kinabalu

Clouds over the sea in Kota Kinabalu

FB666Y · Posted: 12.03.2008, 09:20 Post subject:

Short of time we decided to stow the bike in Kota Kinabalu for a few days.
I spoke to the bell-boy and he let me park the R1 in his house for a couple of days.
Before we knew it we were dipping our toes in the Cebu Sea in Pulau Mabul and Pulau Sipadan.

Pulau Mabul

FB666Y · Posted: 12.03.2008, 09:20 Post subject:

Pulau Sipadan

FB666Y · Posted: 12.03.2008, 09:21 Post subject:

Under the waves Pulau Sipadan

Under the waves Pulau Sipadan

And that pretty much concludes the trip pictures!

Davidfl · Posted: 12.03.2008, 19:48 Post subject:

FB666Y
Love your report yet again. You really like getting out there on the R1 don’t you?

Laos on the R1
http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/laos-on-the-r1-t1522.html
in August 2006 was a beauty

Plus you’re Himalayan Adventure in October 2007
http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/riding-the-himalayas-razorback-on-the-enfield-350-t2896.html
with the G/f riding pillion on the Enfield 350!!

How many kms do you have up on the R1?
Any troubles with the bike?
No need to ask how you rate the bike either I guess – it’s “pretty good” with a great rider like you!

How much was the air freight?
I think there are now a couple of guys in Cnx interested in a similar trip.

Thanks again for the contribution.
What’s next?
_________________
Davidfl
Keep The Power On

FB666Y · Posted: 13.03.2008, 08:08 Post subject:

LOL - David you left out Northern Vietnam on the Minsk: http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/northern-vietnam-on-a-minsk---february-2006-t1315.html

Well, I have been riding R1s for about 10 years now - this is my 4th R1. Its up to 110,000km at the moment.
Besides those I have been tramping all over Malaysia in the past couple of year plus the track day in Sepang and track in Pasir Gudang every other week.

I have had some problems - I have changed the rectifier and generator (some call it the stator), and I had the dreaded TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) problem - but as you see its all electrical or elctronic in nature. Havent had a mechanical problem yet.

The air freight from KL to Kuching is 800RM. The bike weighed in at 194kg.
From Kota Kinabalu to KL its 1000RM - go figure, the price per kilo in Sabah is quite a bit.

You can do it all on your own - get in touch with Maskargo: http://www.maskargo.com.my/ get an Airway bill and a booking (depending on bike size they might need to fly it in a wide bodied aircraft, and you might have to wait a for that - might be an issue if you pressed for time). Other than that you need the bike registration - customs did have a glance at the chassis and engine number though its more like a cursory look.

What's next - I am thinking of Bali, Sumbawa and Flores - seems there's a ribbon highway that runs runs the lenght of Flores along the mountains. And those dragons in Komodo ...

burnjr · Posted: 13.03.2008, 10:49 Post subject:

fby
nice ride report bro..intresting with r1 Very Happy

Rhodie · Posted: 13.03.2008, 12:32 Post subject:

Great & gutsy stuff.
Bravo - you surely get out and about on xtreme machines.
Keep the rides going and the reports coming!
Thanks for the effort & adventure.
Rhodie
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"Going to war without France, is like going deer hunting without your accordion."
Norman Schwartzkopf

wimpy · Posted: 15.03.2008, 18:30 Post subject:

Wow. I'm impressed! Very Happy

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Sargent-195- · Posted: 18.03.2008, 21:11 Post subject:

Hi FB666,
Have always liked your reports and apperciated the photos, you are one of the who have been there and done it.
Solid bro keep it up.............
_________________
Ride Hard Ride Safe
MDFFMD

scot harper · Posted: 24.03.2008, 07:18 Post subject: Beast on the road f666

Hey guy love the adventure of your posts, keep liv'n the dream, an stay upright.

I'm still planing the next on, an have to keep tell'n Murphy to @#$% off, keep them coming, Bali you will love an lombock, Tom Forde did it on Doris a few years ago, look up his posts.....(Hi TOM)..
Scott
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irreverence is, an can be an art form.