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Housewife Died after Husband’s Bike Crashed

A housewife died after the motorcycle her husband was riding crashed on Jalan Gemencheh – Batang Melaka.

The 51-year-old victim and her husband rode a maxi scooter from Ayer Molek, Melaka.

Tampin District Police Chief, Superintendent Amiruddien Sariman, said the victim was seriously injured in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene. “Preliminary investigations found that a couple riding a WMoto RT2 motorcycle from the direction of Ayer Molek were on their way to the woman’s sister’s house in Palong 1 Negeri Sembilan.

I Want a Completely Silent Helmet, is there One?

There are several important aspects we look for when we buy a motorcycle helmet: Style, safety, features, comfort, price, although not necessarily in that order. There is another factor: Wind noise. Or more ideally, a completely silent helmet. Is that possible?

Continued exposure to exceptionally high levels of wind noise results in severe consequences such as permanent hearing loss. And no hearing aid and amount of surgery can bring that hearing back. Problem is, hearing damage creeps up progressively but early symptoms include the ears feeling “stuffy.” If unchecked, this damage will continue until the ears start ringing, a condition called tinnitus.

Additionally, wind noise distracts you from fully concentrating on your riding, besides tiring you out quicker.

Let us cut to the chase: Is there a completely silent helmet?

The law says NO

To be blunt, helmet regulations do not allow for a completely silent helmet. See the picture below, which is a page taken from the ECE R22 regulations pertaining to helmet tests.

Paragraph 6.4.5 states:

The helmet shall not dangerously affect the wearer’s ability to hear.

In other words, the helmet must not filter out environmental sounds and putting the wearer in a bubble of Zen. It is for safety purposes as you may imagine as aural cues keep us safe as we know if there is a vehicle in proximity. Additionally, ride long enough and we listen to the engine’s note as when to shift gears or gauge our speed.

However…

Premium helmet makers would already have the technology to produce a silent helmet by now. But since it is dangerous to do so, there are ways of making helmets as quiet as possible by:

Ensuring a better fit. A better fitting helmet provides less room for air to move around inside the helmet. This fit also goes for the chin curtain which reduces airflow from underneath the helmet.
Better visor seal. Ensuring the visor sits flush with the rubber seal around the helmet’s aperture (face opening) keeps wind out. A side benefit of this keeps water out, too.
Better aerodynamics. The main function of motorcycle helmet aerodynamics is to reduce or eliminate helmet movements due to air pressure at high speeds, and to elevate the wearer’s safety and comfort. An aerodynamically “slippery” helmet also alleviates some of the stresses on the wearer’s neck muscles. A benefit of this is a quieter helmet.

In closing

There are ways in which the wearer can reduce noise, given the absence of a completely silent helmet. One is by wearing earplugs. There are “smart” earplugs that filter out the harmful frequencies and noise while allowing certain important sounds through such as speech, engine note, some environmental sounds through. This writer has gotten so used to wearing earplugs that he cannot ride without them. Cutting out wind noise helps with concentrating on riding, too.

Another is of course by wearing a full-faced helmet. It is absurd to compare the wind noise in an open-faced helmet to a full-faced helmet.

Couple to Ride 14,000km in Kembara Jelebu to Makkah

A married couple will ride a motorcycle for 14,000km in the Jelebu Journey to Makkah to perform the Hajj.

Mohd. Rahmat Mohammed Amin, 38, and his wife, Nurazlinda Mohamad, 36, from Taman Bukit Mohagani want to achieve their dream for the past three years by using a Yamaha Fz150.

Mohd Rahmat said that he had previously performed the Umrah with his wife by flying to the Holy Land. They had then planned to revisit by land since then. This time, they will use the Tibet-Himalaya route which is believed to be more extreme on the journey that will commence on March 20.

“The journey of 14,000 kilometers across 13 countries starting from Malaysia and ending in Saudi Arabia with the target of reaching Makkah on May 5th.”

They will ride through Thailand, Laos, China, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and finally reaching Saudi Arabia.

“The selection of that route follows the closure of Myanmar’s border due to the crisis faced by the country and higher costs are required if continuing the journey by taking a flight from Bangkok, Thailand to India. Therefore, the Tibet-Himalaya route is an option even though it is difficult. We hope to be able to go through it despite facing weather challenges,” he said.

They have even sold some of their motorbikes to raise funds for the Jelebu-Makkah Journey.

“We sold our three other motorbikes, two Yamaha Lc135 and a Yamaha R25 as we try to meet our expenses before starting the journey on March 20.

“We may celebrate Aidilfitri this year at Base Camp at Everest or at the Taj Mahal, India, but it all depends on the journey,” he said.

Mohd. Rahmat said that all preparations related to documents have been completed and the Malaysian embassies in each country have been informed of their plans.

Another Participant Dies while Travelling to RXZ Fighter Event

Another motorcyclist died on his way to the RXZ Fighter event which took place in Kuantan, Pahang last Friday and Saturday.

Maran District Police Chief, Superintendent Mohamad Zamri Mohamad Zaber said the rider, Mohammad Sharfie Sukri, 21, from Semporna, Sabah was involved in an accident with a lorry. He is riding a Yamaha Y15ZR.

“The motorcycle was in the left lane when it collided with the lorry and the victim was thrown onto the road and died at the scene,” he said.

He said the victim was in a convoy with 10 friends who also rode motorcycles to Kuantan to attend the RXZ Fighter event.

Two days ago, a trader also died in an accident while convoying to the same event.

Trader Dies while Travelling to RXZ Fighter Event

Meanwhile, the event managed to attract 50,000 participants and visitors as targeted. The three main prizes for the draw which were a Ducati Panigale, as well as two Yamaha RX-Zs with airbrush patterns have been won.

Hafizh Syahrin Hopes to Shine at ARRC

Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah is determined to shine at the first round of the Asian Road Racing Championship (ARRC) in Buriram, Thailand in the middle of this month.

The 29-year-old rider, who is also known by the nickname El Pescao, will ride the Ducati Panigale V4 R for the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) Racing Team.

He has been practicing with the bike at the Sepang International Circuit recently in preparation for the race at the Chang International Circuit, Thailand.

“Honestly I have never ridden a V4 R throughout my career in racing but the electronic system found on the motorcycle and what the chief mechanic, Loris Caroli told me, the advantage of the motorcycle lies in the braking system.

“I can really feel the difference, especially the brake system which is more powerful compared to other motorcycles I’ve ridden in addition to the good suspension system when taking turns and stability from the acceleration aspect, especially on the straights.

“I can say that this V4R motorcycle is ‘friendly’ to the rider and I adapted quickly, but I need more training to learn more about the electronic system for faster riding,” said Hafizh.

He also described the biggest competitor is Markus Reiterberger who is the defending champion of the ASB1000 class in the championship. Hafizh also said that he does not underestimate the abilities of fellow Malaysian riders, Zaqhwan Zaidi and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman.

MotoGP 2024 season, 42 Races over 9 Months

The MotoGP 2024 season will reach a new milestone. There will be 42 races in 21 Grands Prix over a period of 9 months. It is the longest MotoGP season in history.

This high number of races includes Sprint races which made its debut in 2023. It would have been 44 races this year had not for the cancellation of the Argentinian Grand Prix.

The season also marks the entry of the Kazakhstan Grand Prix, to be held at the new Sokol International Circuit. The GP is set to take place from 14-16 June.

The MotoGP 2024 season will kick off with the Qatar GP at the Lusail International Circuit this year, as per tradition. It begins just next week from 8-10 March.

The Grand Prix of the Americas will now be the sold GP in either American continent after the Argentinian pull out.

There is the usual three-week summer break after the German GP in July, before recommencing in the UK in August.

The Malaysian MotoGP round will be held from 1-3 November. The season concludes at the Valencia GP in Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

It will be interesting to see how the season pans out given the riders and teams were already complaining about too much racing last year. Many riders were also absent from the main races due to injuries picked up in the Sprint races.

In terms of the world championship fight, we can expect to witness a three-cornered clash between the two-time defending champion Francesco (Pecco) Bagnaia, Jorge Martin, and the previous 6-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez. All three ride Ducati machines which are the best bikes in this championship.

Martin is the closest competitor to Bagnaia throughout the 2023 season and the title of champion was only decided in the last round. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez is in his best physical condition since his injury in 2020, besides leaving Honda who is experiencing difficulties.

Apart from them, Bagnaia’s teammate Enea Bastianini may also play a role in deciding the champion, if he is not also fighting for the throne.

Trader Dies while Travelling to RXZ Fighter Event

A trader died travelling to the RXZ Fighter event in Kuantan, Pahang. He is believed to have crashed at Kilometer 166.6 of the East Coast Highway (LPT).

Muhammad Lokman Abdul Aziz, 29, from Kampung Talang Masjid, Kuala Kangsar, Perak who was riding a Yamaha RX-Z motorcycle died at the scene of the accident.

Maran District Police Chief, Deputy Superintendent Mohamad Zamri Mohamad Zaber said, the investigation found that the motorcycle the victim was riding suddenly lost control and skidded to the left side of the road before hitting a metal road barrier.

The incident happened when the victim and 14 friends were in a convoy on a motorbike from Kuala Kangsar heading to Kuantan.

The victim was at the rear of the convoy when the accident occurred, said Mohamad Zamri.

The deceased’s body was sent to the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital (HOSHAS) Temerloh for further action and the case investigated in accordance with Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987.

Attempt to Send Marijuana Through Courier Halted

An attempt to send marijuana by courier was thwarted by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Kelantan. They seized 3.007kg of marijuana drugs worth RM7,517.73 in packages at a registered goods courier center in Rantau Panjang a few days ago.

The Director of the department, Wan Jamal Abdul Salam Wan Long, said his party received information from the public before conducting an inspection at the courier centre, witnessed by the courier company’s workers, and finding a package containing cannabis leaves.

He said, the perpetrator’s modus operandi is by using a courier delivery service to distribute compressed pieces of dry leaves of marijuana without giving the full name and address of the sender.

“Investigations are still continuing to track down the owner of the drugs involved and based on the weight of the confiscated ganja it can be distributed to more than 15,000 drug addicts.

“This case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act (ADB) 1952, which if convicted, the perpetrator will be sentenced to death or life imprisonment and will be sentenced to at least 15 lashes if not sentenced to death.

“The results of the investigation also found that all these drugs are for the local market.”

A word of advice from BikesRepublic.com and MotoMalaya:

To our brothers and sisters who work in the courier and goods delivery sector, there are irresponsible parties who use this service to send prohibited goods. Therefore, we wish you safety and always be vigilant when sending goods. Remember, the excuse “I don’t know” is not accepted in the law because we ourselves have to make sure the things we carry are safe or not.

Porsche Catches Fire after Crashing due to Avoiding Bike

A Porsche caught fire after crashing as a result of trying to avoid a motorcycle on Jalan Lingkaran Tengah 2 (MRR2) here.

Gombak District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Noor Ariffin Mohd Nasir said, the Porsche Panamera 4S driven by the 42-year-old local man skidded ashe arrived at the slip road to Greenwood while trying to avoid a motorcycle that had recklessly exited a junction.

“Investigations found that the driver of a car traveling from Bukit Idaman towards Wangsa Maju tried to avoid a motorcycle that suddenly came out from the direction of Lebuh Utama Sri Gombak.

“The incident resulted in the driver of the Porsche Panamera 4S losing control and skidding and hitting the road divider. It caused the car to catch fire.”

The car driver was able to escape and was not injured, while the motorcyclist continued to ride away.

The registration number of the motorcycle has not been identified and the police are trying to trace the rider involved to assist the investigation in accordance with Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

People who saw or have relevant information are asked to contact Assistant Traffic Investigation Officer, Sergeant Mohd Azlan Shaifullah Mohd Azhar on 019-67 48511. Witnesses to the incident can also contact the Operations Room of the Gombak District Police Headquarters (IPD) on 03-6126 2222 .

50,000 Fans Expected at RXZ Fighter Event

An estimated 50,000 motoring enthusiasts from all over the country will be enlivening the inaugural RXZ Fighter event at Serambi Teruntum, Kuantan, Pahang for two days, starting Friday, 1st March 2024. The event will run from 7am to 5pm on Saturday, 2nd March 2024.

Chairman of the Pahang state’s Communications and Multimedia, Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Bodies Committee, Fadzli Mohamad Kamal said, the RXZ Fighter event is expected to achieve that objective.

He said that RXZ Fighter was organized by the Pahang Government in collaboration with Bera Parliament Community Sports and Recreation Clubs and will provide various programs throughout the two days. “Among the fillers are morning prayers like Fridays with motoring enthusiasts, motoring exhibitions and sales.”

The morning prayer event is organized together with Sultan Ahmad State Mosque 1 and will take place on Saturday, 2nd March, 2024.

“The program also has the cooperation of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to monitor traffic conditions, including giving briefings on motoring safety.

“We hope motoring enthusiasts, especially those who ride the Yamaha RX-Z to Kuantan, obey law in order to maintain the safety of not only themselves, but also other users,” he said.

The organizers of the event also confirmed that they will not hold and discourage competitions and behaviors such as revving motorcycle engines at gas stations, running red traffic lights, reckless riding, performing wheelies, closing the road by “marshals” and the participants.

According to a post on the RXZ Fighter – Official Facebook account, the event is offering 2 Yamaha RX-Zs as the lucky draw’s main prize. Both of these motorcycles will also be decorated with airbrushed patterns.

Red Bull Heir Escape Murder Charges, Thai Former Police Chief to be Charged

Thai Public Prosecutor is set to prosecute the country’s former police chief for allegedly helping the heir to the Red Bull energy drink company avoid murder charges. The suspect is accused of killing a police officer in a hit-and-run accident in 2012.

Thailand’s former Police Chief, Somyot Poompanmoun and seven other officers were charged with dereliction of duty and helping certain individuals to avoid punishment.

Somyot, 69, is accused of using his position as a member of the Parliament’s legal committee to help Vorayuth Yoovidhya. Somyot, however, denied the allegations to the Thai media.

Vorayuth was accused of crashing into a policeman, Wichien Klanprasert with his Ferrari and dragging the victim’s body for tens of meters. Vorayuth then fled the scene. The accident occurred when the former was 27 years old in 2012.

Vorayuth avoided eight court summons related to the case before the authorities issued an arrest warrant five years after the incident. He has since fled abroad and his current whereabouts are unknown.

In 2020, the Thai Police said they will investigate why the criminal charges were dropped. The decision was made after public outcry to the dropping of the case.

Vorayuth’s late grandfather, Chaleo Yoovidhya was the founder of Krating Daeng energy drink (for the local market initially), who eventually became one of the founders of Red Bull (for the global market) along with Dietrich Mateschitz.

Forbes ranks the family as the second richest in Thailand with a net worth of US$33.4 billion (RM159.55 billion).

Disabled Person Flung in Air and Dies after Hit by Car

A man was flung into the air when a car hit his motorcycle at Batu 21, Jalan Muar-Parit Sulong, here, yesterday.

Mohd Riduan Abdullah, 58, who is also a disabled person (OKU) died at the location due to severe head and body injuries.

Batu Pahat District Acting Chief of Police, Superintendent Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani said preliminary investigations found that the accident occurred when a Toyota Vios car from the direction of Muar headed towards Parit Sulong trying to overtake another vehicle.

Unfortunately, the car driven by the 24-year-old man failed to overtake and collided with the motorcycle ridden by the victim, instead. The collision caused the victim to be thrown into the air while the motorcycle and car crashed into a nearby ditch.

“The victim was seriously injured in the chest and died at the scene. The victim was from Merlimau, Melaka. His body was then sent to the Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital (HSNI) for an autopsy.

“The driver of the Toyota Vios car with was originally from Muar. He was only slightly injured in the head and legs. Initial urine screening found that he was negative for drugs.”

The tragic accident was recorded by a car’s dashboard camera and was shared on social media. (Warning: Scenes that may cause distress.)

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Housewife Died after Husband’s Bike Crashed