Journey form Sibu to Bintulu

9^th April 2018, weather in Sibu was sunny at that moment, I checked out from the hotel,  load my bike and fuelled up before proceed to Bintulu. But before that, I got phone call from a friend, he invited me to have a breakfast at one of the famous biker café in town. During my breakfast with the owners Mr Razak and his wife Mdm Helen, we all had some conversation along. As a biker themselves, they also shared their journey and experience moment with me, it was great to get along with this couple. Razz Choppers MC also an organizer to Sibu Bike Week, which will held this coming December 2018. This is a yearly event, surprisingly I only attend this event once back in 2013. Another warm hospitality was been given to me from the owner of Rafie café, they even give me some souvenirs to remember them by. Thank you so much Razz and family.

At 1130hrs, I was back on my bike, proceed out from Sibu. I will be covering at least 234 KM to Bintulu town itself. My journey start from Sibu heading to Selangau along the way, I was facing gravel roads, sandy and bumpy ride this is the main road I’m using the “Pan-Borneo” itself. 77KM along the bad roads, I finally reach Selangau Petronas station. I stop and check my bike in case there’s something missing due to the vibration, I was chilling at the petronas had some Kit-Kat bar. So there’s a group of 4x4 from Nissan stop by and we had a small chat too. So one of the drivers said, the road from Selangau to Tatau was pretty bad, especially when there’s a lot of trucks and it is dry, so the dust really blind you off. He would advised me to use the Balingian road instead.

So I headed out from selangau, and towards to Simpang Selangau-Mukah. Made my decision, I took left towards Simpang Mukah - Balingian. The road was good, and less bumpy. Again this journey I took, is off from the main road. 

55KM I reach into intersection of Mukah and Balingian. Continue my journey under the hot sun towards Balingian town, traveling at the speed of 120KM/h was not a good idea, it is a pretty bumpy ride. Even at 60KM/h, with that speed my bike flew when I hit the unseen bump. Holes everywhere and I found there’s a factory and power plant along the way, I figure it out that’s where the holes came from, and it was Monday.  It’s a working day, where I see trucks coming up from Balingian towards to the factory and the power plant, heavy traffic going up. 

31KM at the long journey I reach Balingian, it’s an empty area abit spooky to me. My GPS doesn’t work at that time, lucky enough I drew a map on a piece of paper, just like Dakar Rally. I learn this from an adventure rider Alex Wong, “When technology failed you, piece of paper and pen would work.”

Sungai Lemai Bridge 

I forgot to open my visor when I took this selfie

18KM from Balingian, I reach at an intersection of Kuala Balingian and Kuala Tatau, you don’t want to be fast here, honestly you could missed the junction. And watch out for the goats and cows too, yes they crossed the road. As I travel towards to Kuala Tatau the road is straight and less bumpy this time. Entering the village area, I always keep myself alert at all time, I do not wish to hit anyone's chicken on the road. 25KM along the road I came to another small town, and the new Kuala Tatau bridge, which link (Bintulu-Balingian-Mukah) by passed selangau and Tatau. Complete stop to have some refreshment and scenery at the bridge.

It says "SEMPADAN BINTULU MUKAH" 

That's the South China Sea

Kuala Tatau Bridge (It's not advisable to stop here) 

Again I forgot to open my visor

Back on my bike and off to Bintulu, I faced another bumpy road. At this time speed at 60KM/h I have to really slow down to face the bump. Horrible road it was, bumpy and un-maintained road along the 30KM roads towards to Jepak.

Gold Mines Gastro pub and this time I remember to open my visor 

At approx. 1540hrs, I reach the town of Bintulu. Stop by at one of the gastro pub and had some cold beer. It's great to be back home. 10 years left it behind, and I forgot the traffic flow in Bintulu town itself. Bintulu, I’m back home, my journey continues.

Journey from Kuching to Sibu (Part II)

Room facing the river 

My beautiful room at the Waterfront Hotel

8^th April 2018, my journey start here at The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching. It’s a beautiful hotel, good facility, I have a great view from my room as it facing the majestic river and a great service too.

There are two routes that you can use to travel Borneo from Kuching Sarawak, the first route is by via Serian highway. This route is the original highway route which connect all towns and cities in Borneo, which is now under construction as for the mega project “Pan-Borneo Highway”. As for the second route, you have to travel up to Asajaya, Samarahan, and off to Pusa Ferry point then proceed to main road.

Batang Sadong Bridge

At 1000HRS, I checked out and departed from waterfront hotel to Sibu, I will be covering at least 340KM. What a surprised, few bikers will also riding up to sibu using this route. Along the way, I met the BIBB Members at Batang Sadong Bridge. So I part up and joined the pack to Sibu. Reaching to the first ferry point which was the biggest ferry crossing in Sarawak, it took around 20 minutes crossing the big river Batang lupar from the ferry point to Jalan Meludam. The view from the ferry was beautiful and calm, the only thing which will not be safe is during monsoon season. Once we’re back on our bikes we faced a bumpy ride, as the road was not smooth and half of it is still under construction. 

So our journey continue to the 2^nd ferry point, that is the Pusa Ferry point in about 45KM from Jalan Meludam and will be crossing the sungai Saribas towards to Pusa town itself, then I was been informed to stop to have refreshment at Pusa.

This gentlemen is a friend to one of the bikers. We were welcomed just like VIP’s, the warm hospitality remind you of home and they treat us like part of the family. It instantly took away the exhausted feeling, we enjoyed the hospitality that this gentlemen give us. At 1445hrs we are back on our bikes, start refilling the gas and hit the road once again from Pusa.

      

Before riding off, the we split into two group, as you can see in the picture, the Red Mark route will be going up away from the “Pan-borneo” highway, and the blue mark route will lead back  to the high way of Sri Aman – Sarikei Road. After decision making, I will be using the Red mark route which I never traveled to. As we said goodbye and ride safe, 8 bikers including myself will be taking the red mark route, and 6 other bikers will be using the blue mark route towards sibu. A BMW S1K, 2 unit of Kawasaki Z9, 2 Yamaha MT’s, 2 Kawasaki Versys and 1 sport tourer. 

An unfamiliar road from Batang Saribas road –Krian road was around 22KM, the road is smooth, and a long stretch of road, I was in front leading 7 other bikes behind me. And our speed was around 120KM/h and I was hoping the Racer riders to cut me off, but they are left behind, as I speed up to 160KM/h still the racer still didn’t cut me off. Along the straight less bumpy road I saw a dead end with a river ahead. To be honest I thought we were traveling at the wrong road. 

Krian Ferry Point

Dead ahead there’s a river name Sungai Krian, I checked my GPS and I was lucky we were using the correct road, and waited 10 minutes for the ferry to come to us. This is the 3^rd ferry point that I used in this Kuching to Sibu journey. Took only less than 10 minutes crossing the Krian River, we hit the road again and this time to Roban.

Bike Review : CFmoto 650TK (2016 Model)

Alright, I got an email from a person name Danny, he told me as he read my blog about my journey from Kuching to Sibu (Part 1) he was curious and asking about my motorcycle. So he asked about this bike as he did his research about it 2 years ago, he is very interested with the bike and he only read about the reviews in other blogs outside Malaysia. So he asked me personally to make a review about this CF Moto 650TK that I owned. So here we go.

19th Borneo Island International Big Bike Festival 2018 

The CFMoto is a Chinese manufacture brand motorcycle and ATV, I know.. I know.. It’s a Chinese manufacture product, would you trust it? Well I’m here to tell you about it and give it a review. I’ve been riding this 650TK for almost 4 years now, so I’m going to give you a long term review.

Kuching International Bike Week 2017

Honda ST1300 and the Triumph Trophy 1200 at first glance it reminded me a lot of it in appearance. My impression on the look was very impressive and the bike would blend into the group if parked amongst with other huge touring bikes, honestly I have seen that. It’s stunning and impressive to see the TK is there.

It has high handle bars and wind screen/shield with a clear view of the instrument panel. There are two small compartments at the front situated on either of the fairing, one of which is lockable, the screen is about 40mm taller and wider for far less wind impact and buffeting

     Installed a small top box for
touring convenient 

The bike is also fitted with matched panniers which both integrate well with the style of the bike and it have plenty of room. I could easily fit a crash helmet inside them. The 60-litre panniers, yes 60-litre, are also lockable with the ignition key and come with two failsafe latches front and back in case the central lock fails and spills your undies all over the roads. And the 650TK have a 12V outlet on the left inner-fairing to charge my phone or powered my GPS. 

The hydraulic brake system from J. Juan also features the dual 300mm steel discs with twin-piston calliper (front), 240mm disc with single-piston caliper (rear) The J. Juan brake system give a bit more feel and more grip, although you still have to grab plenty of lever to slow it down as the steel frame makes it weigh at almost 250kg. Too bad it doesn’t have an ABS system, it will be great for this bike.

Once moving, the weight disappears and only becomes an issue when you are diving into a corner too hot with the Kayaba forks loaded up and a fist full of brakes.

The TK also had LED running lights, indicators and taillight, yes LED. It does have stylish LED running lights which you can turn on and off via a handlebar switch. Oh, I almost forgot the TK do have the hazard light signal switch, which means you don't need to add one. The parallel twin is a flexible engine that doesn’t have heaps of low-down torque, but is willing in any gear at any revs which is perfect for ham-fisted beginners.

Engine braking is also strong without being to sudden, so if a rider drops too many gears or suddenly let go of the throttle, the rider won’t fly over the handlebars. The front suspension felt a little bouncy around town but once I got onto the outer roads it seemed to settle down and never had any further issues with it.

The pre-production models of 650TR tended to vibrate through the fairing and handlebars. The new 2016 650TK seems to have been refined and the fairing is probably also a tighter fit as there is much less vibration now.

Overtaking requires a downshift or with a long clear stretch ahead, I can just roll on the throttle, it hums nicely from about 3200rpm and becomes a little more active around 4000 revs. Of course, high-end power is limited, but there is more than enough to get you into serious trouble.

The Clutch pull is very light and the gearshift is long, with neutral easy to find, and of course the clutch is adjustable, to set to your sweet spot.

Riding position is an upright position or neutral sit-up-and-beg style with the bars at an easy slight reach. Although my knees are rubbing on the fairing, it even has the “shark-fin” engine protectors on the sides (according to the manual book it has sensor on it, which should cut your engine off when you drop your bike with great impact). It feels instantly comfortable for a long ride or even in town area, although the seat could do with more cushion.

As for pillions they will find a flat and wide perch, there’s enough room for the pillion foot rest and with nice big grab handles, although the extra weight will surely strain the restricted 650cc engine.

His name is also "Danny" Dedeq and his girl

Few touring friends of mine test this 650TK, they seems to enjoy the bike, and it comes with panniers, that 12V outlet, and huge wide windshield protecting your face. If you are looking for a 650cc engine and for touring fun, Kawasaki offer you the Versys 650, Honda would offer you the nc700x, which is all touring adventure bike. CF moto however, offered you a less pricey than those branded bikes, a Sport Touring style motorcycle with the 650cc same Kawasaki engine and the only sport touring motorcycle at 650cc! Sure, it doesn’t have the electronic gadgetry we may be used to these days but for a touring riders out there I think it would do quite well.

Journey from Kuching to Sibu (Part I)

This is where it all started, I have been riding legally from the age of 16, I grew up in the town full with industrial factory, timber and oil. Bintulu Sarawak known as the source of income, pocket money and The Oil Town of Sarawak.

At the age of 17, I left home for my studies and after my graduation, I got a good job, enjoying myself here and at this rate, I told myself I'm staying here. Kuching, a prosperity town, rich with history and culture, a food paradise famous with mee kolok and laksa Kuching, wonderful people, I learnt a lot here in this beautiful town. I can understand and speak the Bidayuh language which the dialect are different, such as Jagoi, Singgai, Salako, Biatah and etc.

I learnt from my ex girlfriend (which we are friends now) some Chinese culture, she's Chinese Hokkien, gosh! I have learnt not only to hear and understand but also speak Hokkien, which I think I'm quite good at it and I put it to the test when I was in Penang, speak abit of Hokkien there which I passed. Like asking "Lu Ai Mai?" "Lu Chiak Ha Mik?" "Kui leh?" "Lu Kong Ha Mik?" "Wa Bo Eng" You know I mean, it's fun. One time was with her during Chinese New Year 2017, I was enjoying my self with the food, gambling ( which I don't do and bad at it) receiving Ang-Pao. Honestly it was awesome!

The mother tongue itself (Bahasa Sarawak) as for sarawakian Malay here in Kuching, has different tones and deeper words of pronunciation, Don't get me wrong it sound polite sometimes, it could be sarcastic and it also a little rough for someone who doesn't used to it. They also always end the words with "Cali li" "Bodo naaa" "Dahla Biak sik melawan" and many more. But hey, once you get used to it. You might start to enjoy the dialect. I love the cursing part where you do directly but indirect to the person or maybe we just called it sarcastic way. 

Kuching, what can I say about this city? As I said it before and I say it again, it's rich with history, culture, food and stories on every block and every corner. Capital of the Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo, is a diverse city of old colonial buildings and modern towers surround it. Along its Sarawak River

waterfront there's shop houses selling handicrafts, buskers at night make waterfront alive at dark hours and an esplanade with views of 19th-century landmarks: The Astana Negeri, former palace of the White Rajahs, Fort Margherita, the Darul Hana Bridge and not forget the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly. As the view at night is absolutely stunning, it will never stop you from reaching your pocket to get your phone or camera to take this beautiful night scenery in waterfront. Not only that you can always go to the Sarawak Culture village, I was there in April 2018, it was my first time too. Let's talk about food! Now I won't say much about this. But you should try the Sarawak Laksa at Feast and Furious Cafe, I miss the laksa gravy, it's the best so far I've had, kolok noodle is very tricky to find, just have to know which taste that you would like and suitable to your pallets. The tomato noodle here in Kuching is Dope! You wont get the same feeling eating it somewhere.

Sarawak Laksa "Feast And Furious Cafe Kuching"

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 Say no more, I've been here for a decade, I left hometown for 10 years, never when back, never see Bintulu for that long time of period. I've traveled to Pontianak, Sambas, Sanggau, Singkawang Indonesia, Puncak Borneo, Serikin, Lundu, Ipoh, route 41 Thailand and many more. That my dear readers will be in the different story.

10 years, Kuching. It's is my time to go for a road trip. A long one. So my first destination will be Sibu. I've studied the map, the route, ready all equipment and riding gears, the bike is ready, I'm psychically, emotionally and mentally ready to ride. It is important to be prepared for yourself, also it is advisable to be fit when we're talking about riding a motorcycle. You will be riding for hours on the road with hot weather or thunder storm, bad bumpy roads and to be more precise on a motorcycle with only two wheels, no barrier like cars on left and right, wind impact and petrol between your thighs or your balls or v....... 

So riding a motorcycle is dangerous? I would say yes it is, but if you are focus enough, physically mentally emotionally fit and ready, it is less dangerous, but also you have to know how to ride a high powered motorcycle. Most importantly is road discipline, yes riding a big bike with big power is fun is fast but if you don't have the road discipline, responsibility and consideration. You could be reckless, endanger yourself and other road users. The risk is there! So it is important to have responsibility, consideration and discipline  as a good driver and good rider.

So I'm geared up, and ready to hit the road. Sibu here I come.  Let the touring begin! 

Gearing up and luggage is loaded in the bike