Ride Thailand To Malaysia March 2012

[BigBikeBKK]

Hi All!

Group of friends are planning a ride to Malaysia from Thailand at the end of March, beginning of April and we'd love to get some advice on recommended routes and biker friendly places to stay.

We're all on road bikes / sport bikes so we're looking for the best twisty roads and smooth pavement Malaysia has to offer

Cameron Highlands is our primary destination but we've never been there are aren't sure which are the best roads.

We want to do a loop, entering Malaysia from Sadao on Highway E1 and returning to Thailand via Betong- something like this:

Seems like Ipoh might be a good place to stay our first night.

Here's a short loop that looks interesting, but I'm curious to know the condition of these roads-

We'll have three or four days in Malaysia and want to pack in as much riding as we can.

How are the roads north of Gua Musang? D29 and 66 up to Jeli, the 4 west to Gerik:

And are there many/any hotels along the way?

We're very flexible and would be most grateful for any suggestions or advice on best routes and places to stay. While I'm tempted to just "wing it" some of the guys HAVE to be back to work on time, so it would be best if we can figure out a firm itinerary before we leave.

Thanks in advance!

Tony

[JeffreyMcCollum]

I have wanted ride down myself some time this year,, but like you, really have little expereance. Been there twice but both times flew from Chiang Mai.

[BigBikeBKK]

Day one is gonna be a long haul! Bangkok to Sadao- almost 1000km

Day two, Sadao to Ipoh will be nice and easy. Either a straight shot on the superhighway E1:

Or, I've heard that the 76 from Gerik to Ipoh is quite a nice ride:

Woohoo! Can't wait!

T

[BigBikeBKK]

Only a few more days before we blast off for Malaysia! WOOT!

[BigBikeBKK]

Woohoo! Only a few more sleeps before the big ride to Malaysia!

Was good to sit down with Frank and Neil the other night to finalize our itinerary- I'm really excited for this ride!

Have been playing with Google Maps to determine routes and distance.

Here's what I've got so far:

Day 1 Neil and Tony ride from Bangkok to Surat Thani:

http://maps.google.c...0&sz=16&t=m&z=8

Brian and Frank are sending their bikes on the train so we'll meet them at the Surat Thani train station in the morning and then we're off to Betong!

Seems there are a few ways we can go, and I'm not certain which is the best, so have a look at the following options and we can decide which way to go-

Google Maps recommends this: http://maps.google.c...mra=mrv&t=m&z=8

Google Maps doesn't always plot the most efficient route. I rather suspect that the road along the coast after Hat Yai might be congested and not very fast...

This variation might be a better way to go: http://maps.google.c...&via=1&t=m&z=12

Betong to Ipoh is only about 180km.

http://maps.google.c...&sz=14&t=m&z=10

I reckon if we don't suffer any delays at the border that we can easily continue on to the Cameron Highlands if the fellas are keen. I think it might be nice to spend a night in the highlands where we can do some sightseeing and enjoy the cool mountain climate. But if the group wants to to spend a night in Ipoh that's fine too

If we continue to the Cameron Highlands it's still less than 300km from Betong-

http://maps.google.c...&via=2&t=m&z=12

Ok, that's as far as I've gotten so far. Will continue tomorrow.

Questions, comments or suggestions welcome!

Happy Trails!

Tony

Edited March 24, 2012 by BigBikeBKK

[Gweiloman]

Time permitting, consider going to Fraser's Hill instead of Cameron HIghlands (http://www.journeymalaysia.com/MH_fraserget.htm). There is a one way up / one way down road system with plenty of winds and turns and I would imagine that this would a lot of fun and safer as you won't have to worry about oncoming traffic.

[BigBikeBKK]

Time permitting, consider going to Fraser's Hill instead of Cameron HIghlands (http://www.journeyma...H_fraserget.htm). There is a one way up / one way down road system with plenty of winds and turns and I would imagine that this would a lot of fun and safer as you won't have to worry about oncoming traffic.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I think that's a bit too far of a detour for us this time. Genting and Fraser's Hill be have to wait for next time! Cheers!

[BigBikeBKK]

Ok, continuing on with the maps and routes-

From either Ipoh or Cameron Highlands it's a short ride to Jeli via Gua Musang. I've been told that Gua Musang is an interesting "Cowboy" town, and a good place to stop for lunch.

Google Maps link: http://http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Ipoh,+Perak,+Malaysia&daddr=D29+to:Jalan+Sungai+Sam+-+Dabong+-+Jeli&hl=en&ll=4.941829,102.150192&spn=0.554797,1.056747&sll=5.691149,101.845279&sspn=0.017316,0.033023&geocode=FaZeRgAdot4GBinjM0DzeezKMTFZ6FJpRp_cjw%3BFZtYSgAdNLITBg%3BFSDjVgAdvAgSBg&mra=mi&mrsp=2&sz=16&t=m&z=11

I'm told Jeli is a very quiet town and not many hotels so we're toying with the idea of continuing another 100km to the east coast and spending a night at the beach in Khota Bharu...

Google Maps link: http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Jeli,+Kelantan,+Malaysia&daddr=D1&hl=en&ll=5.945948,102.328033&spn=0.553871,1.056747&sll=6.193547,102.276095&sspn=0.00865,0.016512&geocode=FQDoVgAdK_ARBikxWn8YejG0MTF8hk3eh3WjYQ%3BFd-KXgAdZZIYBg&doflg=ptk&mra=mift&mrsp=1&sz=17&t=m&z=11

To be continued!

[thaifkrlim]

[BigBikeBKK]

[ib1b4]

Hi; Tony . I just want to wish you guys a safe and fun ride, sounds like it is going to be a fantastic trip and I will be looking forward to your trip report on returning. Have a great time. IB

[BigBikeBKK]

Crossing into Malaysia today! Southern Thailand is beautiful!

[BigBikeBKK]

Malaysia is beautiful! Cleaner and safer than Thailand and very bike-friendly. Bikes are allowed on the tollways for FREE and gas is about half the price we pay in Thailand.

[BigBikeBKK]

Nice and cool 1400m above sea level in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

[edwinchester]

Keep the pics coming, would like to make a similar trip myself one day.

I guess that's an English translation of the gixxers rego right? Where did you get it made up?

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[BigBikeBKK]

Cameron Highlands- better than I imagined!

[BigBikeBKK]

Coast to coast, Kota Bharu to Georgetown-

Route 4 from Jeli to Gerik is a thing of beauty!

Georgetown, Penang is amazing!

Back to Thailand tomorrow, but we are all looking forward to re-visiting Malaysia soon!

Happy Trails!!!

[monty1412]

Tony , how was the Speed R 1peice comfort wise on a long haul ?. Looks like a great trip and clean air.. my god almost forgot what that is

Cheers monty

[BigBikeBKK]

Hey Monty!

Southern Thailand and Malaysia get a lot more rain and don't suffer the fires and air pollution like northern Thailand. I think fire season in the north is the perfect time to plan a ride to Malaysia.

As for touring in full leathers- sure, it gets hot sometimes, but as long as we're moving or find a spot in the shade it's not too bad.

We were all pretty miserable battling afternoon heat and rush hour traffic to get in to Kota Bharu and all agree that we would skip that town on our next ride. Up in the mountains it's nice and cool, even a bit chilly at times.

Headed back to Thailand today- about 550km from Georgetown to Ao Nang, Krabi via Sadao border crossing.

Already talking about when we can re-visit Malaysia; Thailand is a great place to ride, but some of the roads in Malaysia are epic!

Happy Trails!

Tony

[monty1412]

Hey Monty!

Southern Thailand and Malaysia get a lot more rain and don't suffer the fires and air pollution like northern Thailand. I think fire season in the north is the perfect time to plan a ride to Malaysia.

As for touring in full leathers- sure, it gets hot sometimes, but as long as we're moving or find a spot in the shade it's not too bad.

We were all pretty miserable battling afternoon heat and rush hour traffic to get in to Kota Bharu and all agree that we would skip that town on our next ride. Up in the mountains it's nice and cool, even a bit chilly at times.

Headed back to Thailand today- about 550km from Georgetown to Ao Nang, Krabi via Sadao border crossing.

Already talking about when we can re-visit Malaysia; Thailand is a great place to ride, but some of the roads in Malaysia are epic!

Happy Trails!

Tony

Looks great, good report.

Cm yesterday was great in the morning but afternoon closed in.. did 600km odd yesterday on some of your old favourites.. 118 to 120 to 1 to 118 to 109 to 107 to 1020 to 118 and home.... 1050 was well and truly thrashed but 109 south of Chiang Rai towards Fang is a great interesting road...

[BigBikeBKK]

Fantastic ride from Georgetown, Penang to the border crossing at Sadao.

The Malaysian highways are a thing of beauty. Free for bikes and you get your own bike lanes to speed you past the toll gates. Posted speed limit is 110kph but we never saw a traffic cop on any of the highways in Malaysia. I will miss the cheap Malaysian gas! About half the price we pay in Thailand.

At the border crossing the Malaysian side is so fast and efficient you don't even have to get off your bike.

Thai side... Well, TiT I suppose...

[Gweiloman]

Coast to coast, Kota Bharu to Georgetown-

Route 4 from Jeli to Gerik is a thing of beauty!

Georgetown, Penang is amazing!

Back to Thailand tomorrow, but we are all looking forward to re-visiting Malaysia soon!

Happy Trails!!!

Tiger Beer is Singaporean. Next time, try Anchor Beer!

Road conditions in Malaysia are much better and definitely safer. Malaysian drivers are not the best in the world but compared to Thai drivers, haha.

[BigBikeBKK]

Wahoo! We're finally back in Bangkok after a 7 day, 3800km tour to Malaysia- what a fantastic trip!

Will try and put together a proper trip report once I get caught up with work here.

Malaysia was fantastic- I can't wait to go back!

Happy Trails!

Tony

[karlos]

Dam you Tony!

The bloody rain followed you back!

[BigBikeBKK]

Dam you Tony!

The bloody rain followed you back!

What you talkin bout? Rain can't catch me!

lolz!