Motorcyclists in KL - what is wrong with you?

[climenta]

There were NO rempits back then ...only illegal racers held either by individuals or bike shops and always backed by towkays and bookies. They would finance a mechanic (rider) from a bike shop and the rewards and prize money was huge...up to RM30,000 per race, 1 brand new bike for the winner and a girl for the night...that sort of started the bohsia culture....but thats another story for another day.

Popular stretches used were Federal Highway, the old Damansara Semantan road (no street lights then) Jln Tun Razak, Pandan roundabout etc.

These I believe this gave rise to the rempit culture and as bikes became more attractive looking with roads being better conditioned and law enforcers closing one or both eyes...it spead like wildfire. Now they ride in packs with 'herd' mentality. It also doesnt help when there are loopholes in the system where one can avoid taking a driving test but obtain a licence. What makes it worst is that when caught, it just takes as little as RM10-20 to get off the hook.
Enough from me for now...

Ah, information from the rider himself

The bikers from yesterday all had a purpose in mind, regardless. Bikers have always been herd animals, but what purpose do the mat rempits really serve apart from becoming roadkill? I'm guessing even they themselves don't know:22:

 

[saat]

The original mat rempit or in those days, cafe racer.

My late father astride his 500cc single cylinder BSA (methinks M53) circa 1950. Actually the bike is more a tourer and he rode with a friend from JB to BP. His friend recalled the dangerous route they took fearing wild animals/tiger crossing or commie attack. Now that takes balls.

Sadly this son of his never took to bikes but instead became the early illegal KL racer.

 

[Jules]

erhhh.....at least from my memory, illegal street racing was there even in the 80s when i started riding. I still recall a famous army fearless rider we call "COMMANDO" and it was rumoured he took drugs to make him feel invincible! Yes, he was supported by the local bike shop too and women and cash were already part of the prize for winning the "race".

Since i am out of town ( Malacca ), I do know of my buddies who use to ferry their very stripped out bikes ( 125/135cc ) in vans to the then just completed & unopened N-S highway stretch between Ayer Keroh/Pedas Linggi for such "races". Yes, fences were cut to smuggle the bikes on to the makeshift drag strips so no doubt, some were responsible for the stray cattle when that highways stretch first opened...oops!

Superman styles, foot covering rear number plates ( when chased by POLIS Honda 550 ) and shifting with the left hand in that were the rage! I can confess, I cabutted once too...successfully but not in that spectacular(suicidal ) style!

Rempits nowadays are just 2-wheeled hooligans in packs, nothing spectacular, no bravado and i guess that's kinda behavior has really tarnished the biking image for the wrong reasons.

Anyhow, do respect ALL road users - irrespective how many wheels they use. A family waits for those riding on them.