Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Route through Malaysia Route through Malaysia
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 23 Jan 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Posts: 35
Route through Malaysia
Hi everybody. I'm in Phuket right now and will be making my way to Singapore in a few days. As it stands, I'm in a bit of a hurry and I'd like to get there in about a week.

Two questions:

1) Can anybody recommend a route south to Malaysia? The separatist violence in southern Thailand is a bit worrying and I was wondering which provinces or regions might be best avoided. It looks like the crossing on the main road, through Hat Yai and then Sadao, is my best bet. Or is it?

2) What about the Malaysian route? Again, I've got about 6 days. I have to hit Kuala Lumpur to pick up some equipment, but apart from that I'm totally wide open. Any recommendations? I read somewhere that the tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands make for some excellent riding.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
JVM
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Jan 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
My info is 3 yrs old, but the trouble in South Thailand seemed to be mostly in its extreme southeast corner, and the main road to Malaysia was just fine. I´ve heard of bombings in Hat Yai, though, but the odds of it happening just that moment, when you´re there, are pretty small.

Cameron Highlands was great, the roads were a bit like North Thailand, but I think the area is not as big. And the big highway south is fast, but boring, as always.

Sipadan Island?? You´re gonna have a hell of a hurry to reach Eastern Malaysia on a bike on a 6-day tour!

If youre gonna do Singapore, it might be an idea to leave the bike in Johor Bahru, and take public transport. Just be careful where you leave it, we heard bikes might get stolen in JB.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Jan 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Posts: 35
Thanks for the information, folks. It looks like I'll probably have to stick to the west coast... sucks that I'm in such a hurry. Anyway, you say that I should probably leave my bike in Johor Bahru and then take a bus or something downtown. Why's that? Bad traffic in Singapore, or a border headache with the bike?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Jan 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: RTW
Posts: 139
mission impossible
If you don,t register and tax your bike for a year you will not be allowed into Singapore(this is v expensive)
We tried to get in last year and got turned back, very politely but deffo turned back!!!!!!!.
We were on UK plated bikes and it wasn,t possible
Jahor is nice place, alot cheaper than Singapore and in my opinion better fun, and so much cheaper to ship the bikes to Austrailia,
the singapoerese come to jahor on Fri nights cos its better fun, cheaper and they can gamble.
Try to do your last leg to Jahor down the south china sea coast, great people and a good road.
Hope this helps Pete n Brucella
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26 Jan 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Posts: 35
Hi Jabez -- thanks for the tips!

Say, for the route south on the South China Sea side, which part is the good one? Kuantan south to Singapore? I guess that's the 'last leg', so that kind of fits. How's the ride eastwards through the mountains from Kuala Lumpur? Looks like there's a major highway cutting through it.

Also, are the Cameron Highlands worth taking a detour through?

Thanks! I have no further questions your honour.

SJ
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 27 Jan 2011
farqhuar's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oztralia
Posts: 646
I visit Malaysia regularly on business and know it very well.

The Thai border to Singpaore is a very easy 1 day ride if you are going straight down the freeway, so you have heaps of fre time if you plan to take 6 days.

Of the many times I've ridden / driven around Malaysia I had the most fun heading east from Alor Setar to Kota Bahru, then follow the east coast south down to Trengannu. You can then head west to the Genting highlands and KL before gently meandering along the west coast via Melaka to Singapore.

The Cameron Highland are only a 2 hour drive north of KL so you could head back up that way too if you really wanted to see it - I really think the north east coast is too beautiful to miss though, so don't take the easy route and head straight to the Cameron Highlands from the Thai border.
__________________
Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Logging route to Mamfe (Cameroon), recommend route south to Kumba after this… Duck sub-Saharan Africa 4 3 Mar 2010 10:55
Malaysia albert wildgen West and South Asia 2 23 Mar 2009 01:47
Carnet UK to SA (East Route) - Should I add alternate route? ghenk Trip Paperwork 5 21 Feb 2008 20:54
Best route through Baja? Best route through Copper Canyon? TexasArranger Route Planning 6 31 Oct 2007 06:30
In Malaysia Doc59 West and South Asia 8 14 Sep 2006 10:56

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:02.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top