Malaysia
 

It appears my wife and I may have the good fortune to find ourselves (and our bikes) in Malaysia for a couple of years.

Any thoughts, recent experiences etc as to possible hazards, hazardous locations etc would be most gratefully poured over. Obviously, positive feedback would even more happily accomodated!

Really looking forward to putting some images/rides up here for those interested - please call in if travelling through Malaysia whilst we are there :-)

Gair and Deb

Hi Gair and Deb:

Amran Parimon in Kuala Lumpur sent us some useful information on Malaysia, which you can find on the site at this link:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/cou...ia/index.shtml

We have Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Communities in both Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth, depending on where you will be closest to.

Amran is in the KL Community, and you can get in touch with him by going to the Community page (link below) and follow the instructions:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/com...tEnglish.shtml

Good luck with your move!

------------------
Susan Johnson

"It matters not what goal you seek
Its secret here reposes:
You've got to dig from week to week
To get Results or Roses."
Edgar Guest

'One world, two wheels'
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Forget about the negative news you may have read about Malaysia in Ozzie papers! They are by and large highly distorted.

On the other hand, take the pretty-picture reports in government handouts with a pinch of salt. Yes the beaches are white and the seas are blue, but they fail to mention about the empty sardine tin.

Having stayed in Australia and elsewhere, but now back in ol' Malaysia, I can assure you this country is as safe as anywhere else.

It has its fair share of trouble makers but you've got to be somewhat unlucky to bump into them.

Bone up on a fair spread of material on the country and you'll have a balanced and truer picture than otherwise.

Lonely Planet is a good start if somewhat dry. Try a sampling of Malaysian newspapers available at your main public library. You may not be able to relate to the news but it will provide the colour.

Then actually being here will round off your knowledge, experience and, hopefully, enjoyment.

Malaysia is an easy and fun place to ride. There are no major dangers lurking around the corners, the roads are good and match up with the maps and guide books. The other drivers and riders are helpful. You will have no worries mate!!! Do not miss the ride to the Cameron Highlands.
we had 2 bikes that we rode from Australia and as we had carnets for them customs was so so easy. Third party insurance we got through Aetna Universal Insurance and they are all over Malaysia I think.
http://www.aetna.com.my

The insurance is also valid in Singaopre and insurance purchased in Singapore is valid in Malaysia but you save a truck load of dollars by using a Malay company rather than one in Singapore.
By the way, Australia could learn from Malaysia's rest areas on the expressways. Much better than those in NSW anyhow. . .
You can get 3rd party insurance as you ride into Thailand, as you cross the border there is an office selling insurance by the week month or year so it is all easy. have a ball. we could be back. . . in fact, would love to go back. . .

gair & deb,

welcome to malaysia. you'll find malaysia to be wonderful riding country, both for short jaunts as well as longer rides. they're abundant motorcycling clubs here and i'd be honoured to help you get acclimatized here. for some pics of the group i belong to on our rides, see http://www.spitfirebikers.org/gallery/

email address removed by Susan - see http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/faq.shtml#notify for why

[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 06 August 2002).]