The total tally for the last 2 weeks is 12…

          

Rvl’s Pick:

The Final Charge – Hans Zimmer

Yes, 12 rear-view mirrors either broken, bent or busted. After a long absence of a few months since I last lost my temper riding, the angry swarm came gushing back within the past 2 weeks. I’m guessing it has something to do with school holidays being over and the beginning of the New Year which basically makes very bad and impatient drivers out of road users. I won’t lie, some of these drivers did try fighting back, at which they were stopped dead in their tracks by a carbon reinforced glove or steel capped safety shoes.

I’m not a very angry person, nor I am a very violent one, but I do lose it faster when it comes to inconsiderate motorist, whether being too slow, rude, reckless or just plain dumb. I hate to think about what they’ll teach their children in those ever filling up households. I think people shouldn’t be allowed to make babies if they themselves are still one.

On another note, i feel compelled to tell a story on a chance occasion several weeks back. I rode out to join the fellas for late night coffee and the usual “zombie shooting fest”. After our goodbyes and engines fully warmed up I head started to track back using the usual route home. as I join the flyover to cross into the next section, a quick glance in the mirrors confirm set of headlight fast approaching on the right lane from behind. Thinking that its probably another “boy racer” in a half souped up tin can, I stayed closed to the left lane to let the car past.

The following chain of events is still until today a minefield of blurs to me. As the set sets of xenons went past me at a heart punching pace, I quickly realised that this was no ordinary car, in fact it was once of the exotics I’ve always dreamed of owning myself. A quick mental and physical prep and half a second later, I was in hot pursuit of the Italian monster. I didn’t have to tail him long before he understood that the game is afoot.

Approaching the 1st left sweeper, I spearhead into the lead and got the cleaner patch of road. Gunning full throttle I shot out into the next series of bends. Heart rate off the charts and all manner of adrenaline has taken over. I had no intention of keeping it too fair as this was no a typical road vehicle, this Italian special had 4 wheel drive, over 600 ponies and from the looks of it quite an impressive driver. I, on the other hand had a measly 600cc engine but coupled to a lightweight and nimble chassis, with an idiot wannabe as a rider.

I managed to keep the lead into the next series of sweeping rights and lefts and we both shot up the next hill at well past 170kph. The next corner is the tricky bit, this is where knowing your turf comes as an advantage. The downhill section quickly progresses into a mid speed right hander, but the catch is you can’t use or come close to the apex for fear of hitting potholes and rain gutters near the edge. On the bike I, frequently cruise the corner at about 130kph using one lane, tonight however, I would be using all three lane at a speed I myself am unsure about. The car can use its 4-wheel drive and 4 fat tires to get ahead, and that he did, braking far later if any at all and slingshots himself out the other end but as the road straightens out the bikes power to weight ratio meant I was neck and neck as we brake hard at the lights.

Round One: Draw.

I knew that it was not over and Round Two begins on green and the roads ahead is all about power and high speed stability, that is, if he’s going in the same direction as I am. I took it easy at the lights as he was stuck behind 2 cars and charged into the next fast left hander. I was already at the next light before he’d caught up and this time it was all clear ahead. I glanced over and I just knew that he had engage launch control, bad news for me, very bad indeed. I was never good at standing start on the bike and was left wheeling in 1^st and 2^nd trailing slightly behind as he powers through with no drama, just an exhaust note of a raging Banshee. Into 3^rd gear and the Akai Onna upped the paced the next left hander is no good for cars or bikes but stupidity or bravery took the helm and I gunned it past the stampeding bull and upon seeing the green light ahead, pinned it to the stop and never looked back. It took him about 3-4 seconds before he’s alongside me again at the last lights.

Round Two: Me!

As we both sat stationary I think we both understood the fact that this final round was the decider. About 4 high speed turns and a series of low speed corners would come next. My strong point, those slow esses, and for him, he had to make as much ground as possible before the esses because once in there the bike would out corner and out pace him coming out of it due to the car’s weight. After those bends, a fork in road and I assume that game’s over. What happens next is between the driver of the Murcielago and I. you lot can come up with your own conclusion. I spent 30 minutes smoking in the front porch to calm the nerves down. It was a magnificent night indeed.

-Sayonara-

On the road stuff 101….

Rvl’s Pick:

I got a Feeling – Black Eyed Peas

Here’s some pointers, when you’re driving through a small gap, if your mirrors passes that gap without breaking, chances are the WHOLE rear of the car is gonna pass too! No need for you to be still trying to navigate the bloody gap! (Rules need revision if your driving a lorry/truck)

If you’re on a motorcycle however, a same rule doesn’t apply. Just because the handle bars got through whether or not the rear of the bike is gonna follow suit depends highly on your BMI, don’t get it? Your weight dumbass! (Rule needs revision for bikes with side saddle boxes)

I really don’t mean to pick on people here, but if I see a car driving erratically on the road and when I pass said car and find nobody inside, it might be a good idea to get a smaller car or bolster seats to enhance your height. If the world can’t see you driving, chances are you can’t see the world while driving either! (I so totally meant to pick on people)

By leaving your name card or contact number on the windscreen of the car, you’re telling me you’re an inconsiderate idiot who thinks you’re considerate just because you save me the trouble of honking and this way I have to PAY for the call to YOU to get YOU to move your ILLEGALY parked car from my path, you inconsiderate PRICK (I have another diesel on the way….. watch out!)

And for those who think random acts to provoke and annoy me on the road is a good idea, I’ll have you know, with the help of a quart of spirits, your sad piece of ride might end up turning into scrap metal, ask the people at KJ LRT and Taylor’s PJ parking lot

As for when I’m on the Akai Onna, its best to just stay well clear from me… serious

- Sayonara -

Mondays brings out the worse in road users..

 

 Rvl’s Pick:

Strip Tease – Danity Kane

Dear Car Gods,

Today your servants felt my wrath. Lets see them try again next week.

Yours truly,

Servant of Bike Goddess.

- Sayonara -

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES ...

Rvl’s Pick:

Tik Tok – Kesha

I think I’m somewhat infecting others at the work place. Ever since I started bringing the Akai Onna to work, there’s been a small trickle of people starting to bring along their rides too instead of driving cages. Now, that trickle is slowly but surely starting to flow heavier.

It started with “JS” and his Ducati 696, then “HZ” from the corner block started to commute with his Ninja 636. Now my own safety manager has gotten his hands on an 08 Gixxer 750. Soon I hear that an MV Agusta F4i and a Ducati S2R would be joining the fray.

Man, this business centre is starting to be “big bike” central and I know it may not seem like much to all of you, but 3 bikes is one too many for a single office area in Malaysia. Whatever it is, I’m glad that many have realised the joys of riding and this has only brought close ties as we go for “Speedy Sundays”.

-Sayonara-

Please don’t confuse race and religion

Rvl’s Pick:

Mind Dimension (Bloody Beetroots Remix) – Tiga

I had thought of taking the higher road and ignoring all this controversy over the “explicit” word issue but I feel I need to clarify few things.

a) Problem with Islam in MY is the majority race that adopts the religion are mostly biased and hypocrites. We (yes I’m Malay.. somewhat) shunned others as if the religion is brought down by god to this land personally and the prophet is of our race. Fact is, Islam’s teaching is somewhat very young in this country compared to the likes of China, India, Africa and so on. So what right do Malays have in such self-righteous thinking?

b) This exclusive word that everyone is making such a “hoohaa” about is sung by every student in school every Monday morning and afternoon. I don’t imagine that every non-Muslim suddenly replaces the words in their head with other names to suit their beliefs.

Trust in whatever god you preach to and let others live their lives free so long as they do you no harm. All this is a massive attention seeking, media whoring campaign from selected individuals to show off or become “konon hebat”

-Sayonara-

The Wedding Fever

Rvl’s Pick:

I’m not your toy – La Roux (DatA Remix)

I seem to be swimming in wedding invitations lately. Maybe it’s the season, maybe it’s something else but whatever it is people are getting hitched left and right these days. No Cupid, you haven’t convinced me, so Fuck off!

Elsewhere…

I ran into an old sparring buddy at once of the more recent weddings, we got to talking and being us, speed stories was the main interest. I commented on his brother’s incursion into F1 and he commented on my incursion into two wheels. He confessed that although he may see the thrill in single tracking, but he lacks any courage to actually take it up… even on close circuits.

I told him that his feelings were justified. On four wheels at our prime, there were only a handful of drivers that can actually make us break a sweat or show us what for. Now that I’ve turned to motorcycles, the ranking ladder is steep and those trying to get to top may have to pay an even steeper price.

Sigh. I don’t like being left behind.

-Sayonara-