HOG Malaysia Chapter president Choo Kai Mun briefing the participants before the flag-off at the hotel lobby.
KOTA KINABALU: Neither rain nor shine could dampen the spirit of the Harley Davidson bikers as they ride off towards Kota Belud, the first destination of the inaugural Malaysian international Harley Owners Group (HOG) 2014 rally yesterday.
“Most of our rides will stop at places where there are safety concerns, especially in Sandakan, Semporna, Lahad Datu and Mabul Island,” said HOG Malaysia chapter vice president Nik Adelin.
“But that is our duty here. Our duty to our country is to show to the foreign people that Sabah is safe,” stressed Nik.
The multi-national participants of the 10-day rally consisted of members from Brunei, Thailand, China, Singapore and Malaysia HOG club.
There are 1.6 billion Harley Davidson owners worldwide and participants in this convoy will act as ambassadors who will help spread the word to other riders in their respective countries, said Nik.
“The responses from the riders are good and we have police escorts taking care of us.
“We are feeling very confident,” added Nik.
“Sabah Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Malek Harun also came to personally assure us of our safety at the rally’s dinner last night.”
Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai flagged off the rally consisting of 80 participants and 50 Harley Davidson motorcycles at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa yesterday.
The convoy, led by Sabah Parks chairman Datuk Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin Mahamood, will be visiting tourist spots located en route in their journey through Kota Belud, Ranau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Mabul.
This includes their stops at Mabul Island, Sandakan’s Labuk Proboscis Sanctuary and the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, where several participants are expected to adopt an orangutan baby.
The rally will also attend a charity dinner that will be hosted by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman on September 20.
Sabah-themed Harley Dyna Super Glide, the dismantled bike that was brought up and reassembled on top of the Mount Kinabalu on March 25, this year will be auctioned off at the dinner.
The bike has made it into the Malaysian Book of Records for the highest running engine of a Harley bike in Malaysia or even the world.
The event jointly organized by HOG Malaysia chapter and Sabah Tourism Board aims to promote biking in the country. All proceeds from the auction will go to a charitable organization in the state.