BIKE SHOW TO HAVE RULER’S BUS, TRUCK
Johor sultan wants to share his passion with the people
BIG-bike enthusiasts can expect to see more than just stately superbikes at next month’s Malaysia Bike Week 2018 (MBW2018) exhibition.
A luxurious, custom-made bus and a bespoke truck, belonging to Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, will appear at the show.
The royal bus and truck will flank the sultan’s Harley-Davidson motorcycles during the threeday exhibition at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang here from March 23 to 25.
The sultan will launch the event on March 24.
His participation is the latest of his initiatives to build a rapport with the people, as it will involve more than just displaying his collection of wheels.
“During the exhibition, the ruler will go down to the ground (and mingle) with the people to celebrate the nation’s first motorbike jamboree programme,” Gabungan Persatuan Permotoran Malaysia (GPMOTO) president Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusof said during a site visit session yesterday.
The sultan was so eager to share his passion for luxurious wheels with the people that he decided to showcase the bus and truck at the event, much to the delight of the organisers.
“Sultan Ibrahim consented to have his personal bus and truck displayed (alongside most of his) collection (of ) big bikes. (His) collection will attract more participants to MBW2018, and the ruler’s willingness to share them with the people is special.”
Rauf, who is Umno executive secretary, said the exhibition would not only be an event for big-bike enthusiasts, but also a platform to educate people on motorcycle maintenance.
“This exhibition not only (puts a spotlight on recreational biking), but (also) educates youth on motorcycle maintenance (and the importance) of safety. (That is why we) invited motorbike icons, (which the public can) experience (first-hand).
“It will see a gathering of all (types of bikes and bikers), from superbikes and easy riders, to kapcai classics and even scooters. We want to show that the motorcycle industry is relevant to everybody, regardless of status.”
Present at the site visit was GPMOTO secretary-general Datuk Sulaiman Samia’an.
Up to 100,000 big-bike enthusiasts are expected to visit MBW2018, where some 40 Yamaha Y15ZR motorcycles will be up for grabs as lucky-draw prizes, along with motorcycle accessories.