Frequently Asked Questions

Our tours are all-inclusive.

Airport pick-up and drop-off. We will meet you at the airport (even if you arrive weeks in advance) and arrange a car to drop you off at the end of your time in Borneo. 

Accommodations. Your tour includes all accommodation, ranging from beach resorts to longhouses to fishing villages to local guesthouses. All stays have air conditioning. You will have a private room, which means just the rider if booking single occupancy, or you and your partner/friend if booking double occupancy. 

Basic Toiletries. Smaller hotels and guesthouses in Malaysia often don’t supply shampoo, soap, toilet paper, or even bath towels. Don’t worry, we keep a kit containing these items for each member of our tour in the support vehicle. 

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are provided each day. This can range from large buffets to famous local hawker centers to tiny village kopitiams (coffee shops) to homemade foods in longhouses. We try to showcase the food of each of Sarawak's ethnic groups. We can help you order food to your tastes and preferred spice level, ranging from none to extreme. Vegetarian and vegan diets are very hard to accommodate in the areas we visit. Vegetables are usually cooked with chicken, chicken stock, pork, fish/shrimp, and eggs are a staple. We love our veggies too and are happy to help you try to avoid animal protein, but we can't guarantee that any option will be strictly vegan/vegetarian.

Water, tea, coffee, and soft drinks are provided throughout the day. We keep a full supply of water and soft drinks in the support vehicle at all times. At some stops, end-of-day beers are provided. Tuak and Langkau (locally made rice wine and spirits) are served at the end of the day during longhouse stays. 

Motorcycle. Every rider is provided with her/his own low-mileage CFMoto 450MT. These motorcycles are fully equipped for adventure riding and include basic insurance. We have used other bikes in the past and find that these are perfectly suited to our tours. They are light and nimble enough to navigate the smaller roads, big enough for highways, and powerful enough for 2-up riding. Each bike has a screen with phone mirroring, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, so you don't need to mount your phone on the handlebars. You are welcome to mount your phone on the handlebars or in a tank bag, but we find they can overheat and malfunction in the heat, humidity, and rain of Borneo.  All the motorcycles feature USB-A and USC-C charging ports. This is a memorable and scenic journey, so we encourage you to mount your action cameras on the motorcycles. 

Fuel. We cover all fuel costs for the duration of the tour. 

Support Vehicle. We provide a comfortable support vehicle (4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser or 2WD Toyota Hiace, depending on route). Both have room for your luggage, purchases along the way, and carry water, first aid, spare parts, and more. The Land Cruiser can carry 3 additional passengers; the van can carry 6. 

All Tours. This includes boat rentals, tour guides, guide tips, entrance fees, conservation funds, etc., which are fully covered by the cost of your tour. 

Guides. All are included in the cost of your tour. Our Iban father is a MOTAC-certified guide, as is our Chinese Cousin who you will find driving the support vehicle. Our uncle is a guide at Bako National Park. Our Bidayuh sister-in-law will cook for you at the Bidayuh Longhouse. Another uncle is the Tuai Rumah (Head Man) at a traditional wooden longhouse deep in the jungle. We speak English, Iban, Malay, Chinese, Bidayuh, and several local dialects. In each area, we not only provide experts, but they are also often our family members.

Helmets. We know flying with a helmet can be a pain, but we suggest bringing your own. That being said, we do have a limited supply of full-face, ECE 22.06-rated helmets we can loan you. We cannot guarantee that we will have your size or preferred style in stock. Genuine, ECE-certified helmets can be purchased locally for under €100.

Malaysian Visa and Digital Arrival Card advice. We walk you through the Malaysian visa process and tell you how to fill out the required Digital Arrival Card. We do not cover the cost of your visa, but for most people, there is no charge for a Malaysian visa, and the Digital Arrival Card is always free. Beware of services charging money for the Digital Arrival Card

Airfare to and from Kuching, Malaysia. You are responsible for getting from your home to Kuching before the tour. We HIGHLY recommend getting here at least 2 days early. This will allow you to acclimate to Borneo and make the ride safer and more enjoyable. 

Pre- and post-tour hotels and activities. Any costs incurred before or after our tour dates are your responsibility. We will gladly assist you in planning, free of charge. 

Travel and Medical Insurance. These are not included in the tour. We strongly recommend that you carry comprehensive insurance that covers medical treatment, emergency evacuation, and “motorcycle riding abroad,” as many policies exclude that. 

Specialty Drinks. Drinks and alcohol not mentioned in the tour are not included. Things like cocktails, whiskey, barista coffee, etc. are not covered in the tour package. 

Snacks, desserts, or specialty food. We provide large portions of high-quality, freshly prepared local food. We also offer a variety of cuisines, from succulent Chinese meals to spicy Malay lunches to Iban BBQ platters. Our guests often cite the food as one of the tour's highlights. We understand some people just can't handle the variety or the new flavors. We do our best to accommodate that, and local restaurants can offer simple options like fried chicken, burgers, and French fries. If our local style foods just don’t suit you, you are welcome to purchase your own meals at hotels and familiar chain restaurants like KFC (when available). 

Personal shopping. Souvenirs, certain snacks, specialty personal care items, etc.

Laundry. Even small villages in Malaysia have laundry services, and several are close to our nightly stays. Time-permitting, you can wash your clothes for as little as RM 5 to wash and RM 5 to dry, which includes soap! The washers are quite large, and 2-3 riders can easily share one washer and dryer. 

Riding Gear. You are expected to bring your own jacket, pants, boots, and gloves. We encourage you to bring your own helmet. Rain gear is 100% necessary, and it can be bought locally for a very low price. Do not wear Gore-Tex here; you will boil in Borneo's heat and humidity. We will go over the gear with you in depth via video chat and email. 

Our tours are limited to 4-5 motorcycles, depending on the itinerary. Our motorcycles are great for 2-up riding, so that means the maximum tour size is 8-10 people if everyone is riding 2-up. Minimum tour size is 3 people. This can be 3 riders on 3 motorcycles, 2 people on 1 motorcycle and a single rider on 1 motorcycle, or any combination thereof. We love smaller groups, so don’t be afraid to contact us. 

We know you are riding Borneo to be different, you didn’t choose well-known rides in other, more popular destinations. Because of that, our company doesn’t focus on mass tourism. We don’t take you on the same old tourist trail. You will be staying in places that may not have seen a foreign tourist since our last tour. These places often lack accommodation and infrastructure to service groups larger than ours. Smaller groups are also more fun for you and for us. We have been on those big tours in other countries and found it wasn’t for us. Social clicks are formed, stops take longer, experiences are hurried and/or crowded, and people get left behind or feel left out. We like the shorter stops, better pace, and closer bonds afforded by a small group. We like that we can visit tiny villages and restaurants without overwhelming them. We don’t want to negatively impact the areas we visit. It also allows us to keep several bikes in reserve in case of mechanical issues. We don’t want your tour sidelined by an accident or mechanical failure. 

We understand some people don’t like boats, hiking, or museums. Many of our stops have alternative options. You are free to sit out most things or do your own thing. Have a lemonade, explore a village, chat with our support staff, or experience local hospitality. Your only obligation is to get your motorcycle to the place you'll be staying that night. We don’t cover activities you do on your own, and no refunds are offered for missed experiences. 

If you have a group with different interests, see us about a custom tour. We will tailor it to your group's needs. 

We don't offer tours from November to March as it's the monsoon season in Sarawak. That being said, there is always the chance of rain in a rainforest. 

We ride in all but the hardest rains. During heavy rains, we will take shelter in a safe spot off the road and wait for the rain to end. The weather here is very hot and humid, and you will be riding in full motorcycle gear. You are required to get the motorcycle from the starting point to the ending point each day. If you find the weather is too much for you to ride safely, we will deposit the motorcycle at the nearest village, and you can ride in the support vehicle for the duration of the tour. A €100 towing fee will be charged to ship the motorcycle back to our office. The pillion rider is welcome to ride in the support vehicle at any time. 

 We ride on a variety of roads, but 90% of them feature some form of tarmac. This ranges from the beautifully maintained curving two-lane road to a beach, to a bumpy, potholed road with sections of gravel and mud,  to curving highland routes of varying condition. In a few sections, we will ride on gravel roads in small villages. We even ride several kilometers on a hard-packed sand beach. We don’t ride in the monsoon season, but there may still be mud on dirt roads to longhouses and small villages. In some areas, we offer easy and difficult options for riders to choose based on their preferences. 

We don’t ride on the welcome day (Day 1), and most of our tours feature a rest day in the middle for safety. Every other day features a variety of riding.  

We believe we have created a tour that combines the joy of motorcycling with deep cultural immersion. Riding 100 kilometers in North America or Europe is quite different than riding the same distance on the backroads of Borneo. 

While our days feature 3-6 hours on motorcycles, we are not just about making miles or kilometers. In addition to riding, the days usually include 3-8 hours of activities (excluding meal, fuel, and rest stop time). 

You will also be riding in a foreign country on bumpy, unfamiliar roads on an unfamiliar bike in 30 °C/90 °F temperatures and 100% humidity. This takes a toll on the rider. That said, we are very happy to work with the group to increase or decrease the number of hours in the saddle. We have increased and decreased riding during tours, and we are happy to create custom tours tailored to your needs. Contact us for details.  

At our orientation on Day 1, we will lay out the complete journey. Everyone will join a WhatsApp group for our journey. At the start of each day, the riders will receive GPS waypoints for the day's journey. You don’t have to constantly monitor or even use your GPS, as our tour leader will be at the front of the group. The group will ride in staggered formation behind her/him. At the back of the pack, there will be the support vehicle. If the pace is too slow or too fast, inform the leader. No one gets left behind, and no one is expected to ride beyond their comfort level. We will be riding through beautiful areas with scenery completely foreign to most of our guests. There are awe-inspiring vistas around every corner, and people are often surprised that they find themselves riding a bit slower than they expected. Standard biker etiquette dictates that you keep an eye on your fellow riders. If you see an issue, stop. If you feel hot, dizzy, or like you can't continue, stop. The support vehicle will meet you and communicate with the leader and the rest of the group that there is an issue. No one is ever left behind. 

Yes. Without exception.

We will check these documents when you book the tour and when you arrive in Kuching. They must be valid during the dates of the ride. 

If you arrive without either of these items, or with a fake version (yes, people have tried), or if they have expired, we can not let you ride a motorcycle. You are welcome to ride in the support vehicle for the duration of the tour, but no money will be refunded. 

Why? Safety is the first reason; it's our only way to ensure you can operate a motorcycle. Insurance is the second reason; our insurance will not cover the bikes if the rider doesn’t have those 2 documents. 

The third reason is that Malaysia has random JPJ checkpoints (our Motor Vehicle Department) where they check that the bike is legally registered, insured, and that the rider is licensed to operate it.

All our motorcycles are low-mileage CFMoto 450MT. These offer the perfect combination of power, weight, features, and maneuverability for our tour routes. They easily cruise on the Pan-Borneo highway at 120kph, be easily managed on bumpy off-road sections, and can pull steep hills even when riding 2up. They have switchable ABS and Traction Control, 2 free USB ports, and phone mirroring screens. 

One major benefit of owning our own fleet and using all 450mt's is that we have every accessory and modification for them. This means we can fully customize the bikes to fit your height and preferences. We have rally (high) seats, low seats, tall windscreens, and short. We can install rubber inserts in the pegs for shorter riders, or remove them for taller riders. With some minor adjustments, we can get the seat height anywhere from 800-870mm (31-34"). We even have a lowered dog bone option, which gets the seat height down to 780mm (30").  The suspension is also fully adjustable for firmness. A slightly softer suspension combined with the weight of the rider and gear can reduce this by another 20-35cm (1-2"). Properly adjusted, riders with a 28" inseam can flat foot the bikes, and riders with a 36" inseam are comfortable. 

Riders must be 21. Pillions must be 16. People riding in the support vehicle must be at least 5 years of age. 

If our dates don’t work, you want to modify an aspect of our tours, or you want a private tour for your group, please contact us. Note that we DO NOT run tours during the monsoon season, which takes place from November to March in Sarawak. We do tours from April to October. We offer a discount for group bookings. 

No, we do not rent our motorcycles. If you book one of our tours, and the bikes are not needed for another tour or need maintenance after yours is finished, we may let you extend the bike rental at a discounted rate.

We recommend that all participants arrive at least 2 days in advance to minimize the risk of unexpected interruptions, and we cannot be held responsible for any delays. We will do EVERYTHING we can to help you join the tour at its current location. No refunds can be given for parts of the tour missed due to travel not organized by us. We have found that we can almost always find a solution in this scenario.

The first priority is you and your health. Once we check you over, we evaluate the bike. We understand accidents happen, and we also understand they can ruin a trip. If it’s just a few cosmetic scratches, it’s not a big deal. These bikes are designed for fun and feature full crash bars, metal bark busters, full skid plates, and protective films on most of the plastic. We expect them to receive a few cosmetic scratches. If something small breaks, such as a clutch lever or turn signal, we only charge you for the part itself, not the labor to install it. We also keep these smaller parts in the support vehicle, reducing downtime. The great news is that these small parts are usually less than €50. Even larger parts, like a fender, are only €75. Extensive damage is covered by the bike insurance, but you are subject to the insurance deductible and excess. If you wish to continue the tour after damaging a motorcycle beyond repair, you may do so in the support vehicle. If the damage was not the rider's fault, a replacement motorcycle will be provided*. 

*See Terms & Conditions for full details. 

We STRONGLY suggest guests carry travel insurance that covers motorcycle travel at all times. We cant stress this enough! The state of healthcare in Sarawak is VERY good, and Kuching is a popular medical tourism destination due to its low cost and modern facilities. Even small towns and villages have modern hospitals and clinics. Because our matriarch has been a nurse in Sarawak for more than 40 years, we know how to navigate any medical situation quickly. See Terms & Conditions for full details. 

The first step is to contact us via our contact page, WhatsApp, or email. That information can be found on the "Contact Us" page above. Once you have made contact, we will arrange a video call with you. During the call, we can explain the tour in depth, get to know each other, and see if the tour is a good fit for everyone. We will then send you a complete tour description and FAQ. If you/we move forward, we ask for a €500 deposit for each motorcycle. 

Payment can be made in a variety of ways. We accept major credit cards, wire transfers, PayPal, Wise, and IDEAL. 

If you cancel more than 5 months in advance, there is no charge to you.

If you cancel 3-5 months in advance, its €250.

If you cancel less than 1-3 months in advance, its €400. 

If you cancel 1 month in advance, all funds paid will be forfeited.

Our tours are all-inclusive. From day 1 to the end of your tour, every meal, every drink, every stay, every liter of fuel, every experience, every tip, is covered. Theoretically, you could spend €0. That being said, we know you will want to buy souvenirs or have a few extra drinks and snacks. Perhaps you really want a steak and a bit of whiskey one night. Those are things you have to pay for. Larger towns will take credit cards and have ATM’s that work with most international debit cards, but we recommend everyone carry at least RM500 (about €110) in local currency. The easiest way to do this is at an ATM in Kuching, and we can tell you which ones offer the most favorable exchange rates. 

You can bring as many bags as you want, but we only allow one 30kg suitcase per motorcycle to be stored in the support vehicle. Additional bags can be stored at our secure office in Kuching and will not be accessible until the final day of the tour. You are allowed to ride with or without the aluminum panniers and top box on a motorcycle if you have additional gear. The three boxes add an additional 90 liters of storage.  

Packing List

Pack light, but pack enough clothes to make the journey pleasant-smelling for you, for us, for the other guests, and for your hosts! The weather here is hot, and no one will want to be around you if you wear the same clothes every day! Don’t worry, there will be some chances to do laundry along the route if needed. We will supply all food, drinks, and basic toiletries. 

Motorcycle Related

Helmet. Helmets are a very personal purchase and the most important part of your safety gear. We have loaner helmets, but we do not guarantee one in your size or preferred style. For these reasons, we strongly suggest you bring your own. If you don’t want to fly with your helmet, and we don’t have one that fits you, ECE-rated ones can be purchased locally for under €100. We also recommend helmets with sun visors. 

Motorcycle Jacket. All mesh, with armor and abrasion resistance. You can't have too much mesh in Borneo. If you ride with Gore-Tex, you will be miserable, I don’t care how many zippered vents it has. 

Motorcycle Pants. Again, all mesh with armor and abrasion resistance. 

Motorcycle Gloves. You guessed it, mesh!

Motorcycle Boots. Comfortable boots with ventilation are preferred. 

Rain Gear. We suggest gear that slips over your jacket and pants. Bring your own or buy locally for a very low price. 

Neck Gaiter/Neck Buff. Useful for keeping the sun off your neck and keeping you cool. 

Earplugs. A good idea on any ride. 

A SIM card that works in Borneo. We recommend Celcom-Digi as they cover the largest area. We are going to some very remote locations, many of which don’t have Wi-Fi. Local SIMs start at under €15 per month. 

Our motorcycles can be equipped with any combination of waterproof, hard panniers, a top box, and a soft tank bag. If you prefer soft bags, you are welcome to bring them, but you are responsible for mounting them securely. 

Documents

Passport

Drivers license

International driver's permit (IDP)

Paper photocopies of passport, driver's license, and IDP

Access to digital photos on your phone of your passport, driver’s license, and IDP

Clothing

All clothing should be lightweight, cool, and fast drying. 

Shorts, T-shirts, tank tops, sundresses, etc., are all appropriate for Sarawak. 

Socks made for hot weather. Your feet will sweat a lot! 

Shoes and sandals. You don’t want to walk around in your motorcycle boots, so bring closed-toe shoes for jungle walking, and maybe sandals for town and the beach. (cheap sandals can be bought here)

Swimsuit. There will be chances to dip in the ocean, bathe in a river, and jump in a lake. Ideally, you should have a swimsuit, but fast-drying shorts are also ok. 

Sun hat. A wide-brimmed hat is very useful when walking around a village, beach, or market. 

Miscellaneous

Credit Card. Always good in an emergency. Visa or Mastercard works best. American Express can be used in some locations, but not all. The Discover card is not used here. 

Cameras, camera mounts, and any extra batteries or memory cards you need. You will want to capture your journey, and you are free to mount your cameras wherever you like on our bikes. Our bikes feature 1 free USB-A and 1 free USB-C port. 

A solid and protective phone case and screen protector.

Electrical adaptors. Malaysia uses a U.K. style plus. Those coming from other regions will likely need an adapter. 

Any required prescription medicines. 

Any of your favorite non-prescription medicines. We always carry a complete first-aid kit and several basic medicines, but it's always a good idea to bring your personal favorite painkillers, allergy tablets, antacids, Imodium, etc. 

Small packets of tissue. We had these out to you each day. Make sure you keep them on hand, as bathrooms here don’t have toilet paper, and restaurants may not have napkins. 

Backpack. If you want to hike a trail or explore a town, it gives you a place to store supplies and any items you buy. 

Sunscreen. The higher the SPF, the better. The sun here can be brutal. We carry SPF 50 in the support vehicle, and you are welcome to use it or bring your own. 

Insect repellent. We always carry some in the support vehicle, but you may prefer a different brand and/or scent. 

Toiletries. Basic liquid body wash, shampoo, and towels will be provided each night. You are responsible for deodorant (a must in Borneo) and any specialized or other toiletries. Most international brands can be found in Kuching before the start of our journey and at a few small towns along the way.