This morning, I go to the place that most motorists hate or fear to go: the Singapore Traffic Police Headquarters at Ubi.
You see this building, leg sure shiver.
You get to go there if you kena serious traffic offences and you want to tolong tolong. You get to go there also if you get involved in accidents and kena investigated. So this is the last place people will be happy to go.
But today, I go there as a happy man. Because I was invited, not kena summoned there.
And because I was a good citizen, not because I am a bad citizen.
I go there to meet Traffic Police's Road Safety Branch, to help improve road safety for motorcyclists in Singapore.
How come TP so eng and want to meet Endless me?
Because of complaint king, MrLau.
MrLau is a very good and kind man. He very concerned for the safety of Singapore motorcyclists. So he always write complain email and send to TP, to give them "feedback" and suggestions.
I think the day come that the TP buay tah han MrLau. So want to turn this complaint king to become something useful. Ask him come and work with the TP Road Safety Branch. Not a bad idea right? Kill two birds with one stone. Our TP got brains hor?
So MrLau (Honda CB1300) also invited Spectrum (Honda Hornet900), who then jio me along. With us is also boofeng (Kawasaki Concors) and quizesilver (Honda Super4).
MrLau entering the TP Lair.
We met at the canteen in the TP HQ.
After a while, a young man and a woman came and sit with us. Both of them are not wearing police clothes.
The young man is Dua Liap TP Mah Tak, I tell you. His name is Simon. His rank is Deputy Superintendent of Police siah. CO of Road Safety Branch ah. All the crappy road safety TV commercials and all those banners hanging on the lamposts on the road come from this man. His name is Simon. The woman is his assistant, SSG Nora.
Simon sit down with us and first thing he do is offered to buy us all coffee.
We all hear that, but no one dare to accept his offer.
Who ever in his life get offer kopi from TP?
Simon repeat his offer again and tell us don't scared. We cautiously accepted his offer.
But after a while, we realised this Simon is a very nice friendly man. I find him very normal. Actually, I quite like him. Although his rank very high, he is not those jenghu people who only like to talk jenghu wuay (language) and got jenghu sey (airs).
Simon not hao lian and is a motorcycle man like us. He currently rides a Honda Wave. So he understands first hand, all our problems of us motorcyclists on the road. Nora also used to ride motorcycle. So we all understand and speak the same language and same frequency.
We tell him some of our problems as motorcyclists on the road that threatens our safety and give suggestions. He understands our problem. We also discussed about organising an event to invite more motorcyclists to the TP HQ to learn about road safety.
Simon want to reach out to the motorcycle and car clubs. I think in the past, the Road Safety CO just sit behind their desks. Simon could be the first to actually come down, meet and talk to us actual motorcyclists. When tua liap jeng hu people come and meet us commoners, is this call doing Grassroot work?
Anyhow, we really enjoyed chatting with Simon and it appears to me that he genuinely cares about safety of motorcycle and car owners.
We told him about our Street Smart thread at Singaporebikeforums.com. It contains many proven safety tips and techniques that can help motorcyclists survive on the road. It is at:
He says he will go and read and even print out and post on his Branch notice board.
He also showed us some photographs of motorcyclists who met accidents and kiout kiout. Sibei gross siah. Can see brain matter, can see eyeball come out socket, can see exposed teeth through face. Confirm lose appetite one.
But very effective. After that I ride extra extra safely.
Next, he brought us downstairs to see the TP car park.
Wah seh. I see rows and rows of TP motorcycles!
Most of them are the Yamaha Diversions. I also see a few of the new TP Honda VFR800 (pre-Vtec version).
I eagerly go and hop onto the VFR800. It is very compact compared to the Diversion. Must be much more agile and better at handling.
The handle bar is raised so now the TP rider can ride upright. I like this setup. The seat padding is also very soft. If they sell outside this setup, I sure go and buy!
Then I go and examine the Yamaha Diversions.
Have you ever wondered, like so many of us out there, is our TP Diversion motorcyclists equipped with radar to clock your speed when you are speeding?
Sure don't have right? TP motorcycle not very big what, where to put radar?
Today, I finally see for myself the answer.
The answer is YES. The TP bike has radar. Not only one radar. But two. One forward facing. The other rear.
Next time you see a Diversion, you see carefully. On its right crash bar, there is a small little cylinder thing. The front is a white plastic cover, the body is black. It looks like a small search light. But it is not. It is a radar.
Next, you see the rear mounting, just after the rear seat and above the rear tail light. You will see a similar object but face rearward.
To further confirm, below the TP motorcycle dashboard, there is an xtra big rectangular dashboard for reading and operating the two radars.
According to them, the TP radar can clock your speed when the TP bike is stationary as well as when it is moving.
Hopefully with this knowledge, I can help save you write useless appeal letter to plead that the TP anyhow clock your speed using human eyeball.
Then, it is time to say goodbye to Simon and Nora. We really had a lot of fun and we enjoyed meeting them. We spent almost 3 hours there talking! I never imagined I could talk so much to a TP.
The bike safety event is planned on 14 October Saturday. So stay tunned. I think places are limited. Only 40.
When we are about to leave the TP HQ, it was raining.
Then Simon so nice. Go and get umbrellas for us so that we can walk to go and makan without getting wet. This TP really know how to score points.
This Simon tell us, actually most of the TP officers are very nice people. So we should go up and talk to them. Ya, right.
Never bluff you. I really was at the Ubi TP HQ. Somemore TP Superintendent really offered me umbrella (see TP logo all over on umbrella).
MrLau's rare Honda CB1300 Bold'Or (meaning Gold in French). It is a new bike but with retro styling. I like.
Boofeng's 1,000cc Kawasaki Concors.
My Frost at Ubi Traffic Police Headquarters. Got invitation then get park inside one, ok. Today is a very special and fun day for me. Glad that there are people like Simon at TP.
First, they go to Clark Quay to join in the Singapore Bike Forum funfare. Then at night, they convoy to the Hornet Nest's indian chief's condo call Cote D'Azur Condo (how to pronounce ah?), next to Parkway Parade.
Singapore Bike Forum Funfare
I never go. Now I bang balls man.
Because I missed this:
Biker Babe Contest
I thought the girls look not bad what. But later on I hear from one biker guy tell me: "Endless, lucky you never go and see the Biker Babe Contest. The girls there all so skinny. The neir all so small."
Wah lau. Thin girls also don't like ah. This shows that one size can't fit all.
Give him Olinda Cho lah.
There are some cool bikes being displayed there at Clark Quay for the Singapore Bike Forum event.
But who cares about them when you got Biker Babe Contest right?
There is also supposed to convoy rides to the event. Then it got cancelled because the IMF circus is in town.
Actually scared what? The IMF go and do their IMF thing lah. We only ride together what. We don't convoy means Singapore no motorcycle meh?
Si bei kia si to the max siah.
BBQ at Cote D'Azur Condo
I only went for the BBQ niah. Can eat mah.
This Spectrum has one unit at this cheem cheem name condo next to Parkway Parade. Then as in all other condos in Singapore, this one also got those useless and pesky security guards.
I don't like these security guards because got one time I got invited to go to my friend's place at another condo. I ride there but the security guard refused to let me in. That condo cannot allow bike to go in and park. Only cars. Asked me to park outside at the pavement and walk in.
Lucky that security guard quite old liao. If not I would have given him a piece of my mind.
So I am not very sure this time round can get past this Cote Azur condo security guard or not. Spectrum say, just give the password to the security guard. But the password is not like Mission Impossible or James Bond that kind. It goes by the rather unimaginative:
"Spectrum BBQ Pit No 3".
OK, I ride up to the security post at the condo. Security guard come out and challenged me. I give password. Wait for response. Don't know password correct or not. Or security guard is going to ask me to park outside again.
Wah, passed!
I met the nicest security guard to a biker in my life. The security guard says just ride to the basement carpark and once you get there, you will know where to park.
What does he mean by that?
I ride to basement.
Carpark is very big wor. Where to park to go up to the BBQ pit?
Wah, now I understand what the security guard mean. So many bikes. Got Hornet, got Super 4, got Blackbird, got SVs. Also got other type of bikes like Ninja, Hayabusa, scooter.
I go unstairs. The BBQ already started quite some time and people are enjoying themselves there.
There are many people there. They are all bikers.
Spectrum, my touring buddy and I take one photo together.
She Riders Club
Then I see my friend, a lady rider called Tweety. I say hi to her and noticed that she was with several ladies.
She introduced that they are all from She Riders Club.
Wah, She Riders. I never hear before ah. Singapore got such club?
I immeidately think like they like some SheWolves like that. All the cha bor gang up together and suck men's blood. Wah, scary siah.
The nice and pretty ladies from She Riders Club.
I Met Elvis
Tweety introduced this lady called Kelly. I think this Kelly is as famous as the other Kelly: the Superstar Kelly Poon.
This Kelly is the legendary lady rider that rides a white ST, and who has rode to China. China!!! I plane also never take go there before and she got ride there!!!
Plus somemore....Myanmar!!!!!
Wah lau eh!!!!
I see her I immediately feel like I have to bow down and pay respect to this super duper lady rider.
After I recovered from my star-giddiness, I realised this Kelly is actually very friendly, very sociable and very bubbly. Before long, I got comfortable and sat down to chat with her on touring.
Then around the table also got other She Riders.
After a while, I realised that got so many girls talked to me one guy, at their centre of attention. Wah, I never in mind life got so many girls looking at me.
Except one time when I accidentally walked into the woman's toilet.
Then my face start to have a burning sensation. I was getting a little embarressed with so many girls talking to me. Lucky my face very black. They can't tell I am turning red, haha.
Actually, they are all very friendly girls. They wouldn't eat you up one.
They keep asking me to go with them to this coming Three-Nation-Ride in November. I would like to go. But I cannot immediately say yes because:
1. Don't know my touring buddy Spectrum got go or not.
2. How to apply so many days of leave? Wait I come back cannot find my desk in the office anymore how?
But the thought of so many girls together and possibly sex-orgy makes the trip very tempting...
Anyhow, I was really pleased to meet the ladies at She Rider Club. They are all very friendly and nice people. I am very happy got more and more girls learnt to appreciate the joys of riding.
Cut Birtday Cakes
It turns out that it is also She Rider--Tweety's birthday. From left, there is Adek, Kelly and Tweety. Happy birthday Tweety!
The 3 birthday cakes to celebrate the anniversaries of Blackbird, Hornet and SV.
Happy birthday to you all!!!
May the spirit of riding live strong in all of you!!!
I just completed my ICT (In-Camp Training) on Saturday.
Actually very shek and want to spend my Sunday to kun. Then my friend KP come and jio me to go do a short biking trip on Sunday. Go where? Go Pagoh and eat durian. Must be he see my blog on my last trip to Pagoh eat durian and gian. So I say on.
Before I talk about my this ride to Pagoh, let me share with you some new things I learnt from my recent ICT:
1. Some more new pronunciation of Durian.
Just as I thought there can’t be anymore ways we can mispronounced the word “durian”, I just learnt another new way…”Diu-ran”. The list just keeps growing.
2. Chor is in.
If you say “Endless, how come you so chor? Use the word quickie?”, I tell you, I just learnt that the big people even more chor. PM Lee uses “talk cock” in his national day speech according to the poh zua;
But this Zoe Tay is No 1. According to Imedeen’s latest advertisements, Zoe says her secret to her beautiful skin is “I swallow.”
All the boyfriends and husbands, what are you waiting for? Quick go and tell your cha bor. When I go back to office, I must circulate this beauty secret to all my female colleagues.
3. A new army joke.
My reservist mate tell me last time during his NS time, his OC ask his driver to go out and buy some snacks. OC tell driver:
“Buy 4 tea, 4 coffee, Marlboro tua bao (big packet 20 sticks type).”
Driver says “Orr”. Off he goes. Driver left for a long long time and never come back. OC starts to wonder what is taking the driver so long just to buy some snacks. Finally, after a long long time, driver comes back. But he came back with:
Forty-four coffee, Marlboro and One big bun (tua bao).
Why do all the stupid things happen only when you are in the army?
Route
OK, back to our ride to Pagoh.
Who going? Just a small group of us: KP on his R6 (2003 model); Kinwei on his rather rare, GSX-K750 (2006); Ben on his R6 (2006 model).
Wah, all sportsbikes. Don’t know Frost can keep up with them or not.
The route is very simple. It is the exact same route as our last ride to Pagoh (see Bekok Waterfall + Durian Trip). Meet at Esso GP. Take NorthSouth Highway. We will exit at Ayer Hitam, then go to the kopi tiam to eat lunch. Go back to NorthSouth, travel to and exit at Pagoh. Go to the same durian stalls I ate the last time. Then NorthSouth back.
While gathering at Esso GP, I saw one whole large gang (about 20 bikes) of Malaysian kup kiahs riding pass on the highway. Malaysia motorcycle gang in broad day light?
I noticed a couple of them had pillions carrying the Malaysia flags flying in the wind. Kinwei says their national day must be around the corner. Wah, national day also got rounding one.
I saw a 2nd link break-down patrol car. I go and confirm with the encik. Indeed, their national day is on 31st August. The patrol car is decorated with the Malaysia flag to celebrate their national day on 31st August.
Later through out the day, every where I go, I see many cars have small flags sticked onto their roof. Even their lorries have flags.
This one is a taxi. It also has malaysia flags on its roof.
Some protons have a decal of the top left corner of a big Malaysia flag sticked onto their bonnet. I think it looks very nice. But Singapore cars cannot copy this idea. Because their bonnets all already have the decals of Mugen, TRD, STi, Spoon, CWest …
NorthSouth Ride
Nothing much special.
KP on his R6.
This is on the left of the NS highway, before the Kulai Toll. Every time I pass by this stretch, I think it looks very scenic.
Then along the NS highway, up ahead, I spotted an unusual sight---A white Toyota Celica sports car with Malaysia car plate, fitted with an aftermarket rear diffuser.
It travels quite fast on the right lane. But I travel even faster. And it wouldn’t bulge when I go behind this Celica.
Nabeh. You drive sports car tua pai, right?
Never mind. I no mood to play with you. I just overtake you from the left lor.
I wind my throttle and Frost easily starts to slide pass the white Celica.
As I ride past, I wanted to see what this idiotic driver look like.
Wah, it is one damn chio bu driving the Celica.
Arm thin thin, skin fair fair, hair long long look like japanese race queen kind. Complete with stylo milo sun glasses wor.
When a babe like this is driving a sporty car, somehow the complete thing just looks damn sexy. Nose going to bleed liao.
I quickly take out my handphone camera. I want to take a picture of this sexy thing and show Kin Wei, KP and gang.
I rode along side her and aimed my handphone camera at her. Chio bu pretend not to see me and continue driving. But like that the picture look even nicer.
KP was behind me and he saw what I was doing. He must have also seen the chio bu in the Celica.
I took a shot and soon we have to exit at Ayer Hitam.
Ayer Hitam
We went to the same kopi tiam as last time.
After we parked our bikes and we found a table to sit down, before I can ask them what they want to eat, this KP quickly ask me: “Ai Endless, how how? Got take a picture of the chio bu or not? See leh see leh.”
Ji hong KP.
I took out my handphone camera and search for the picture.
This is the picture I took:
Ahhhh!!!! Where is the my chio bu? How come only shoot the front of the white Celica? Bo bo shooter.
It’s too late for us to take off right now and pursuit her along the NorthSouth.
Never mind. No chio bu but got nice food to enjoy.
The last time I came, I ate wanton noodle and chicken claws (tim sum type).
What else is good to eat here?
I don’t know. I never give the other stalls a chance. I ordered and ate wanton noodle and chicken claws (tim sum type) again.
Some Upgrades
We exited at Pagoh. And we never see the Celica along the way. Sigh.
I did 3 things to Frost before this trip.
1) I changed my clutch cable.
The old clutch cable did not spoil. It is just that my friends commented that the effort to press the clutch felt heavy. So I changed to a new cable. Indeed the clutch now feels so light. It is also so slick and light now to flick the foot gear level. Not expensive one. Only $30 plus for my Frost.
2) I topped up air on my tires.
I had not pumped air into my tyres for 1-2 months liao. KP helped to pump air to my tyres to about 35 psi. Immediately, Frost felt very nimble and agile and very fun to corner. It is amazing what difference the correct (and incorrect) air pressure can do.
3) I changed my brake pads.
The other pad actually still looks quite thick. But it is the inner pad that is wearing thin. I was recommended to go to Mah Motorparts (19 Jln Besar). The boss is a friendly chap called Jeremy. There are so many different types of brake pads in the market. Which one is good? I changed to the brand GoldFren--the side really is gold in colour. I used the Ceremic model (there is a race model). Very cheap. Only $20 per pair. After about 20km of scrubbing off, the bite is very jiat (immediate and strong). I like.
Pagoh
We ride towards the Pagoh durian stall that I ate the last time (see my 2 posts earlier to see directions to get there).
First, we passed the coconut stall (later than eat). Then as we ride further and further, “Eh, how come never see any durian stalls along the roadside?”
After awhile, we realized the durian stalls all never open. Today is Sunday, the durian stalls don’t open on Sundays. Does that mean we are going to go back empty-handed and unable to taste our one and only one objective?
We U-turn back and head towards the coconut stall. Luckily, the coconut stall got sell durians. Not as many as the durian stalls. But at least we get to eat durians. The durian cost 3ringgit per kilogram. Ok. So so. Seed very big. Taste is not bad.
Mai hiam buay pai lah.
Eat durian eat durian.
KP buay kat ki (not shy). That's why it is good to go on makan trips with at least some girls around. Like that then the guys would be more civilised. If not, very fast the food will disappear and I have no chance to eat.
After that, we went to the adjacent stall to drink coconut juice. While we were there, the coconut stall owner went to buy kopi. He left the son behind. Then a Malaysian lorry drove up and asked to buy coconut juice.
The son only 8-9 years old, but very garang. Father not around never mind. Son will serve coconut juice.
Son went on to pick one coconut, take up the foot-long parang knife and start to slash at the coconut left and right. In Singapore, such thing will never happen. The children here are so precious. The mothers will never let their kids go near within a 12-foot radius of a pair of normal scissors, let alone wield a one-foot-long parang.
I ride R6
Having ate our durian, KP and Kinwei ker gian liao and are satisfied. So we can return back to Singapore.
KP suggested we swap bike. I ride KP’s 03 R6 and he ride my Fazer1000. OK, on.
It has been almost a year since I last rode my own sportsbike, Honda CBR954 FireBlade. But the R6 gave me a very familiar feeling very quickly.
I ride R6.
Engine If I were to ever buy a sports bike again, I would buy a 600cc. Why? Because on a 600, you actually can go faster around and out of the corner than a 1000. Many people don't believe how can a 600 be faster on a 1000 (on a track) . You go pasir gudang track you will understand.
Tyres KP’s R6 are fitted with Michelin Pilot Power sport profile tyres. I like these tyres. They inspire a lot of confidence and felt very sure footed. I somewhat prefer its feel over Bridgestone BT012. I used to think the Pilot Power was very expensive. But nowadays, its prices have come down to BT012 level of $380 or so.
Brakes KP’s R6 is fitted with a larger aftermarket front brake master cylinder. The brand is Majura I think. This brake cylinder being larger, enables even lesser effort for powerful braking. When I rode his R6, all I need to do is to tap the brake level with ONE finger and the R6 would shed 10s of speed immediately. The amount of effort is no more than the effort you apply when you drum your fingers lightly on the table.
Steering Damper KP’s R6 is also fitted with a Scot rotary steering damper. I like rotary steering damper over the rod-type, because rotary type looks more compact and nicer. This Scot steering damper is adjustable in terms of damping stiffness.
Riding along NorthSouth
View of a R6 rider. This is how your view look like when you ride the R6 in a hunched down position. Complete with insects and all on my visor.
I rode the R6 like my Fazer and KP rode my Fazer like his R6. After a while, KP starts to disappear out of my sight. At the end of the ride, KP said he hit 220 (can still go faster) on my Fazer. I had never even reach 170 on my own Fazer before.
Along the almost hour-long ride back along the traffic-heavy northsouth, I observed one thing. It is actually faster if you ride along the Motorcycle lane than if you were to ride along the main lanes.
Many Singaporeans don’t know this. But along the Malaysia highway, the “road-shoulder” lane is actually meant for motorcycles (as well as broken down vehicles).
Even though the Malaysian car drivers will give way, it is actually faster for you to just ride along the Motorcycle lane along the NS.
How I know? KP was riding along the extreme right car lane. I was riding along the motorcycle lane. Even though the cars were busy trying to get out of the way of KP on his Fazer, I have many opportunities to ride ahead of KP simply because the motorcycle lane is clear of any traffic.
The Other R6
Soon, we reached E3 (the NS stretch from Kulai until the customs).
KP and I swapped back to our own bikes. It is also about time. My feet and palm are starting to feel numb and pins and needles from the sporty ride position.
From E3 back to GP Esso, I noticed that Ben’s new R6 rear number plate had came off. Kinwei and I signaled to Ben to stop.
I think the new R6 is too fast for its number plate. Its bracket came off.
To TP Officer: My number plate really really fly off. The only way to continue was to remove the half-hanging number plate.
Picture of the live firing area north of Singapore custom. I can’t resist taking this photo because those green hills remind me of my NS days.
That area used to be the live firing area. I remember got Elephant hill, E-shaped knoll, etc. Once, I saw a tank traveling along the dyke (the grey straight line) towards the green hills.
Songs
There are a couple of popular songs now by guys.
I hate to say this, but I actually find this “Bow wow wow” song by Wilber Pan very catchy. The song just goes Bow wow wow, bow wow wow all the time--kind of remind of my dog. I can’t quite catch the lyrics in between the bow wow wow.
有没有感到心情放松 有没有感到细胞跳动 节奏的变化谁能摆动 让你全身放松 现在请不能罗嗦 看着我的眼鼻四周 频率太急 看你的心脏正在 chill we go
跟着我走跟着我做跟我点头摆动双手 世界的一切都转动一直带着我的音乐跟着脚步在走
世界turn around change around everybody have fun 别想压抑我们定意世界的传统 世界turn around change around everybody have fun 没有对或错我只想牵动这节奏 世界turn around change around everybody have fun 音乐没有自由仿佛坠进了黑洞 世界turn around change around every body have fun 现在跟着我们创造新世纪的秩序
世界turn around change around everybody have fun 别想压抑我们定意世界的传统 世界turn around change around everybody have fun 没有对或错我只想牵动这节奏 世界turn around change around everybody have fun 音乐没有自由仿佛坠进了黑洞 世界turn around change around everybody have fun 现在跟着我们创造新世纪的秩序
The other song that I like is by this guy called Li Sheng Jie. I like his 2 songs: Yan Di Xing and Zui Jin. I have his album but can’t find the mandarin lyrics to post here.
Li Sheng Jie’s voice has a special voice quality, like the blind Superstar singer Kelvin Tan. His forceto (fake) voice is also very nice. Go check his songs out.
See, after 8 months, I have almost finished using up the whole big bottle of FP-60. Yes, I am still using the original cough medicine bottle that Kim Peng gave to me.
Last time I promised that I will tell you whether this fuel addictive FP-60 really work or not, or is it how siao one.
I first used it back in December 2005 (see my archived blog entry on FP-60).
I have been faithfully using this FP-60 on my Frost (Yamaha Fazer YZF1000) ever since.
I am not Tay Ping Hui (Tiak Heuer) or Edmund Chen ZiChai (Yun Nan Hair Loss). I not paid by anyone to use FP-60. My FP-60 not free one. Got to buy myself.
Fuel Economy: I think there is no difference. I damn cheapo one. I pump the cheapest of the cheapest petrol you can find in Singapore. When in Singapore, I pump only SPC 92.
Got whatever discount offered, I sure chiong for it one. So I also have SPC card (extra 6%) and POSB Everyday card (extra 4%).
But I must say that I wack my Frost harder ever since I used FP-60. If you not so throttle happy like me, maybe you can get improvement in fuel economy I don't know.
Acceleration: This is the main reason I have continued to use FP-60. I feel my bike is more responsive when I have FP-60 added, compared to when there isn't. The improvement in responsiveness is pretty obvious to me.
But of course I am not saying that after you put in the FP-60, you will everytime willie from every traffic light lah.
But I feel the whenever I twist the throttle, the engine has a meatier and tighter feel to it.
After using FP-60 for so long, I have tried not putting FP-60 to test whether was I fooling myself all along. If I don't put after pumping a full tank empty of any FP-60, the bike will feel more limbeh limbeh (weak) and sound coarser. I buay tah han and quickly turn into the nearest car park and pour in the normal dose of FP-60.
Smoothest:
I say liao. With FP-60, the engine feels and sounds more smooth (like those nice nice shenton way office girls). Without, engine like very harsh and coarse (like those swearing ah lian).
Ability to clean the engine:
I wouldn't be able to know. How to tell? I cannot open up the engine what.
But if you really want to try, you can do this. You go and wipe your finger on the inside tip of your exhaust (try not to think dirty). Of course wait until exhaust cool down lah.
Before using FP-60, like most bikes, my finger will have lots of carbon stain when I do it on Frost. But after using FP-60 like for 3 months, I did the same thing and my finger has hardly any carbon stain on it.
How I use my FP-60
I bought the big bottle of FP-60 from Kim Peng. I don't carry the big bottle on my bike even though I got 2 big saddle bags.
I pour into the small cough medicine plastic bottle (I don't know where Kim Peng get it from. Maybe after he drink finished the cough medicine). The bottle got ml markings on it.
I carry this small bottle on my bike. Even if you don't have a saddle bag, you can carry it in your underseat tray. One small bottle is enough to last quite a number of fill ups before I need to refill with FP-60 again.
Do I recommend FP-60?
I will say it's up to you lah. I have already shared truefully my results.
For myself, I will continue to use FP-60. Because without FP-60, I really buay tah han the difference to my bike now.
Maybe it's because my Frost ku niang. Used to jia ho liao (eat good stuff) liao. So now he cannot live without it, or else will show fart face to me (sell you away then you know!).
Actually hor, if I divide the FP-60 over the total amount of fuel it is added, I think it is only less than one cent per litre of petrol niah. SoI don't think it is expensive. And for the extra effect it gives, I think it is worth it lor.
Come to think of it, if someone as cheapo as me can think FP-60 is not expensive, if you think FP-60 is expensive, then you are laggi cheapo and I think your girlfriend (current or future) will surely complain you niao.
Since I talk (some) good things about FP-60, maybe one day FP-60 will know about my this blog and come and offer me endorsement siah!
But I don't want to be anyhow endorse things lah. I don't want to be like this Olinda Cho, the last season Singapore Idol contestant. Now she endorsing some slimming thing.
I must say that she looks quite repelling to me.
Before slimming, she looked repelling. After slimming, still look repelling.
So I say, figure is not everything in the world. So just eat your char kuay tiao, carrot cake, hainanese chicken rice, nasi lemak, KFC, Big Mac, kuay chap, roti prata etc etc. Like that live life happier.
If you want to know more about FP-60, email Kim Peng at kimpeng@anrsg.com lah.
Singaporeans love durians. So for bikers, what would be a better idea than to combine biking with durians. This trip is a short ride to the Bekok waterfall in Johor (which I had been end of last year, see my earlier blog entry). Along the way, we stopped to eat durian along the road side.
For the Love of Biking
Xiao, why go all the way to Pagoh to eat durian? Singapore don’t have durian meh? Geylang so many. Even NTUC, Carrefour also have.
This type of durian ride is not for those xiao durian one. It is for those xiao riding one. Have durian good. No durian, also never mind. Can get out and ride can liao.
For the love of durian
Most Singaporeans love durian. But I noticed that many Singaporeans pronounced durian differently. These are the few different versions I hear before:
-liu-lian
-niu-lian
-dew-lian
-jill-rian
You got hear others?
The Singaporejaen hu also very funny. Singaporeans cannot even pronounced this simple word called durian. Then they go and hor one cheem cheem name for our durian-shaped landmark. Esplanade. How to pronounce? I also not sure spelling correct or not.
Our Ride Plan
This is the ride route.
I cut-and-paste the intro given by Spectrum of Hornet’s Nest in the singaporebikeforums.com. Save me from thinking:
“There will be 5 Phase to the Ride. 1. Breakfast @ Ayer Hitam - So come Hungry.... But some may want to save their stomach for the durians
2. Ride for the Durians - Looks like will have to spread All thru the 5km stretch - So it is Important the everyone comes back to the Coconut stall on Time - Safety... Parking along the trunk road is not safe... be careful.
3. The Road to Bekok- This is the road J32 I would always like to return to... - 62km of sheer pleasure - the convoy will stretch here... ride at your own pace - let the faster bikes overtake on the right.
4. Bekok Waterfall (Mini)- It will be nice & refreshing dip - It is a series of small water fall - Recommend u get wet (toilets & showers available) - For others... go trek into the jungle but be back on time.
5. The RideHome- We'll take different route thru Yong Peng - then on the highway back. - Will most probably end up @ GP town KT Kafe Tiam”
The people who signed up to go are:
1.Spectrum (Hornet 900) 2. Endlessloop (Fazer1000) 3. Earlybird (Blackbird) & Annie (SP) 4. Natureman & Cougar (Hornet 600) 5. Gabng (Hornet 600) 6. Vincent (CB1000) 7. Dino (Blackbird) 8. Mr & Mrs Paul Mai (Blackbird) 9. Ano (Blackbird) 10. Media Velocity (Hornet 900) 11. Eazie (90%) (Deuville) 12. Raz (R6 leavin after Durian) 13. St Du Du (Comin afternoon... 1pm Esso 2nd Link) 14. Ben (S4) 15. Snail (Zx12 Leavin after durian) 16. Gianni (Hornet 600) 17. Denden (SV650) 18. Zod & Gf... + 2 RVF Friends (3 RVF) 19. The Koo Teow Man (SV650) 20. BotakMonk (ST.. Leaving after durian) 21. Chi Yen (Hornet 900) 22. Silver (Bandit 1200) 23. Takumi18 (Hornet 900) 24. kennethy (S4) 25. Rage & gf (Hornet 900) 26. HamsterZ 27. Kinwei (GSX750) 28. Dahun ( ST1300 ) and 2 Friends ( Vmax ) ( GW1500) 29. Lopes430(R1) 30. Fraser (Hornet 600) 31. Jason (Hornet 250) & Ah Huat (Honda*SSP) 32. Wildcat (SP) 33. Blue Kiss (TA200) 34. Roger (S4) 35. Sfowner (VFR) 36. SV650 (SV650)
"
Meet Up at Petronas
Our meet up point is at 8.30am, after 2nd link, at Petronas petrol kiosk. Not at the usual Esso petrol kiosk. Spectrum think like that not so crowded.
Lucky, Spectrum chose the Petronas. The riders for our trip flooded the whole Petronas.
Everyone down here all are going for our durian trip.
Then I itchy backside. I see got Honda Pan European STX1300. At one time I thought of buying this bike. Think long long then end up getting my Frost (Fazer1000). Scared I cannot handle the STX’s size and mainly, wallet not big enough.
So I asked the STX owner Dahun can ride or not. Wah, he so nice and say “Can!”. I wasted no time and ride the STX around the Petronas.
Me on the Honda Pan Europe STX1300.
I must say it is a big mistake for me to go and ride the STX. Because it make me a bit regret never go and buy the STX.
The STX looks and feels big when you hop onto it. But once moving, even at first gear speed, it is very agile. Even more agile than my much lighter Fazer1000! I love the feel of it’s braking. It’s brake very jiat one. Then it is sooooooooo smooth. The gear level is light to press. And flicking the foot gear is sooooooooo light. Sooooooooooo siok. I faster return the STX back to Dahun. If ride any longer, wait I ride the STX home.
Spectrum doing the pre-ride briefing.
Because the ride group is so big, it make Spectrum very busy. I think the OC or Encik during army exercise also not so busy. It takes a lot of energy and effort to organize and manage such a big ride group. Pay me also I don’t want and cannot to do it. Lucky we got Spectrum.
Then I tio arrow again loh. Asked to be the sweeper again.
Too big.
Some times I don’t understand this Spectrum. If he every time like to arrow me to be sweeper, why does he need to get such a big marker vest for me?
Time to move out. All the bikes assemble. Spectrum asked me to count how many bikes altogether. I count 1,2,.3,…Then lost count. Count again, then lost count again. Too many bikes. I think agar agar if not 45 bikes also got 42 bikes lah.
While waiting for the group to move off, got chio bu walk into the Petronas. I quickly take photo and show you. You may need to zoom a bit.
Off we go.
Those wearing vests are the markers.
North South ride
For this ride, I tried something for the first time. I want to try taking photos while I am riding. I got no pillion so got to take myself. How to?
I learnt from Silver in her blog silverbendit.blogspot.com. Use handphone camera. I just bought the Sony Ericsson K750. I brought along a normal digital camera. But the K750 was good enough that I ended up not using the normal digital camera at all. The photos in this blog are lower-resolution of the actual K750 photos (about 500KB each photo).
Sony Ericsson K750.
The other piece of the magic.
I attached the K750 to a “dog-collar” line. I think call lanyard or something.
I operate the camera phone using my left hand (without gloves). My right hand holds the throttle. When finished shooting, I just let go of the camera phone and it hands around my chest. Frost’s windscreen blocks the windblast so the phone does not fly around at my chest level.
This arrangement allows me to take many photos, and even videos, that I previously could not.
Like this shot of our convoy riding along the north south.
The convoy of our 40++ bikes stretched very long.
The convoy stretches very far. It takes me nearly a minute to reach the front of the convoy from the rear.
Here are the video clips of the convoy, taken using my K750. The first video is the mid-section of the convoy. The second video is the head of the convoy.
There is quite a bit of background noise from the K750 being in the air turbulence.
Our ride group is so big that it takes quite a few minutes just for the group to clear the Kulai toll. The group reforms after clearing the toll.
Breakfast at Ayer Hitam
We exited at Ayer Hitam exit. Turn left and head straight.
We had our breakfast at this kopi tiam by the main road.
Our bikes flooded the whole kopi tiam. The tow kay keep smiling cannot close his mouth.
This is what I ate. Wanton noodles and “phoenix claw” (chicken leg).
After breakfast, assembly before moving off.It takes a while to get the whole group to get assembled before we can move off.
North South to Pagoh
For such a big convoy, it is useful to have 2 sweepers. One is a “fixed” sweeper. This bike is always the last bike. The second sweeper is the “moving” sweeper. It stays with the fixed sweeper most of the time.When a bike in the convoy is in trouble and falls off, the fixed sweeper stays with the troubled bike. The moving sweeper can then move forward to warn the convoy if it should stop.
Sometimes I buddy with the other markers: Vincent, Ah Kwang (earlybird) and Saint DuDu. We would confirm with each other who is fixed (the last last bike).
Anyway, the role as the sweeper often is quite boring. Cannot anyhow overtake. Have to be disciplined to maintain a steady speed.
So along the way, I just entertain myself by taking photos of riders around me
This is my friend Kinwei on his new black GSX750. Beside him is Wildcat on her SP.
Kinwei wants a relax ride, so he is hanging around the rear. It is an interesting sight.
I can’t help it because I keep seeing their rear. One is so small and one is so big.
When following the Honda SP, I don’t have to watch my speedometer to know my speed. Whenever I start to smell a lot of 2-T oil in the air, I know the 2-stroke SP is doing at least 130 kmh.
There was a stretch along the NorthSouth when suddenly I saw a bunch of tiny dots in the air start heading towards me at great speed.
*Bang* *Splatter*
The tiny dots hit my helmet. They are some very big insects. Some yellowish-green glue start to run down my visor.
Then I spotted one of our bikes by the break-down lane. I stopped beside it.
Blue Kiss (on the cruiser) got hit by those insects as well. They could be bees.
One of them suay suay hit Blue Kiss’s exposed neck and could have stung him.
Beside is EarlyBird, our sweeper pair. Luckily Blue Kiss is able to ride on.
We moved off. A short distance later. I saw another of our convoy by the road side. It was my friend HamsterZ with his new Yamaha R6 (2006).
He stopped to check whether his beautiful R6 remains beautiful beautiful or not. I itchy backside and ask him, can I try his new R6? Can.
Riding the 2006 Yamaha R6
I riding the new 2006 R6!
This 2006 Yamaha R6 is very interesting. It is the first bike to have computer-controlled throttle, derived from MotorGP technology. This means that when you twist your throttle, it does not pull a cable to open your fuel valves in your engine. The throttle will send a signal to a computer instead and the computer then tell the engine what to do.
The 600cc engine has one of the highest redline for a production bike: a stratospheric 17,000 rpm!
When I first hop onto the bike I noticed that despite being a sportsbike, it is not as uncomfortable as I expected it to be. The seat at least got some foam as padding.
The seating position is interesting because when upright and I looked down, I can see the bike’s headlight! That means that my head is almost over the front of the bike and it shows how far forward the riding position is.
I moved off. I love the engine sound. It is sounds like the angry engines of the car Formulae F1. Very shiok! Open the throttle more, the angrier the engine sounded. Even more shiok!
The engine is a very very high-revving engine. When cruising at 100kmh mark, the engine rpm is about 5.7-5.8k rpm. Not much lower than my previous 400cc Super4 Version S which runs 6000k rpm at 100. Frost runs 4.1k rpm and my previous CBR954 Honda Fireblade runs at an even lower 3.4k rpm.
I love the fly-by-wire throttle. The bike pulls very smoothly and has power, throughout the rev range. This is very good when curbing corners along the track.
This is the video of me taken when overtaking traffic on the R6.
Hear the angry scream of the R6 engine! It is very shiok and very entertaining to ride the R6.
Then I play the R6, play until forget where was I going. We forgot to exit off the NorthSouth highway at Pagoh!
So HamsterZ and I rode to the next nearest exit at Takang to make a U-turn back. This U-turn is sibei far. 30km away. Almost from one end of Singapore to the other. To and fro somemore.
We exited at the Pagoh exit and found the marker Denden patiently still waiting for us. He said he waited for 30 minutes!
Eat Durian
To go to the place we went to eat Durian, at the T-junction after the Pagoh exit, turn left towards Muar (right is Pagoh).
Just ride straight and along the way, you will see several durian stalls. We stopped and ate by the roadside.
Eating durian by the roadside at Pagoh.
That day I ate 2 types of durian. Got pale yellow skin one. This one more bitter taste. Got orangey yellow skin one. This one sweeter. You prefer which type, just tell the stall owner and he choose and open for you.
I eat durian.
It was an interesting experience. Just stand there and eat. Eat finished, don’t need to look for dustbin to throw the seed. Just piiiiiiuuuu, throw the durian seed onto the grass, where there is a large pile of durian husks and seeds.
Look what you can do when you have a STX. Dahun tah bao durian back to Singapore.
After eating durians, we go and drink coconut juice to wash down the durian. It is also along the roadside.
Coconut by the roadside, Pagoh. Near where the durian stalls are.
Then, it is time to head to the Bekok waterfalls.
Again, the assembly by the roadside looked like a mini-traffic jam.
J32
To go to J32, we just head back to where we came from the NorthSouth exit. This time, head towards Pagoh.
Spectrum loves the J32 route a lot. This is the third time I am riding the J32. I think Spectrum is those kind of people that every time go to the kopi tiam will order the same dish again and again. Jia buay sian one.
First, we topped up our petrol at the Petronas, Pagoh Muar. It was a huge orgy when our 40 bikes cramped into the tiny petrol kiosk. We have to form long queues at the pumps and the queues are all our own bikes.
Orgy at the pumps.
Spectrum urging: “Gentlemen, please hurry up with your business.”
Because of our big group, not only are there long lines at the pump, there are also long lines at the toilet. Even Superman also has to queue for his turn at the toilet.
Then, it is off we go through J32. J32 is nice to ride because there is not much traffic. The surrounding scenery is very green. And the road condition is good. Ideal for motorcycling.
Beautiful roads for motorcycling at J32:
These are shots taken while I am riding J32. The model with the orange vest in the photo is Vincent CB1000.
Don’t play play with uncle on the cub kia.
Because he’s carrying a gun on his back.
Some more beautiful shots of our ride along J32:
As to exactly, how to get to the Bekok waterfall from Pagoh, I shall not repeat here as I had already described in detail in my previous entry on the Bekok waterfall.
Rain
After J32, we hit Route 1. Just before reaching Bekok town, it started to drizzle.
We stopped to put on our rain gear.
The drizzle stopped. We exited Route 1 and took the minor road towards Bekok village.
If not for the gloomy weather, the route is also rather nice.
Come to think of it, almost all my rides with Spectrum all rained. Next time I must ask Spectrum he got changed underwear or not. How come every time he go sure rain one.
This is the small little road leading towards the Bekok waterfall is covered by tall trees. My K750 made the road like very bright. Actually, the road was wet and very dark.
Bekok Waterfall
Finally, I reached the car park of the Bekok Waterfall. Then, the drizzle turned into heavy rain.
We were all forced to take shelter under the make-shift tents of the stalls by the car park.
We get packed like vertical sardines, trying to squeeze into the little space below the tents.
The rain turned into thunder storm. We get our helmets and raincoat on to shield us from the rain. We stood there like a good 30-45 minutes.
Finally, the rain slackened into a light drizzle. We walked down to the waterfall to explore.
Rain Walk. There is still a light drizzle going on. We explored the Bekok waterfall with our helmets on.
This is the photo taken during my previous trip to this Bekok waterfall, when the weather was sunny.
Today, because of the rain, no one is in the water.
For me, I got hungry. I went back to the stalls where we took shelter. I ordered a beef burger. It is only 1.50 RM and it is delicious. Yum yum. I also ordered a glass of kopi. At least I did not go back empty (stomach).
Identical wings.
There is a group of scooters amongst our 40 bikes. These are Silver Wings.
Then it is time to go home. It is about 5.30 pm.
This is Saint DuDu with his blackbird. The background is Bekok village.
Return Trip
We took Route 1 to Yong Peng. We topped up one more time at the petrol kiosk there.
I split off from the main group with 4 other bikes: SV650, Fraser(the new Hornet600) and one Hornet600 (is it Gabng or Gianni?).
This photo was taken by me during our NorthSouth journey back.
Reached Singapore Customs at 2nd link loh.
Ibbly, ibbly, that’s All Folks
It was a Bekok waterfall trip alright. Correct what, water fall on us at Bekok.
Even though we went all the way to Bekok waterfalls and never even touch the water, it was not a wasted trip at all. For us who love motorcycling, the breakfast, the durians, the coconuts, the waterfall are just connection points for us to do our motorcycling. Waterfall or water fall, we did get out and ride.
So it was a fun ride. The journey is the reward.
Am looking forward to the next ride.
Aiyah, today I pang chao bui. I fart smelly smelly many times. Must be from all the durians I ate.
