|
6 Aug 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: On the road
Posts: 121
|
|
Which Port Indonesia to Malaysia?
I know this is a topic that has come up on more than one occasion, but mostly going the other way (Malaysia to Indonesia).
We are near Padang now trying to decide our next move.
We have about 10days left on our visas.
We prefer to travel with the bike by boat and am not keen to fly.
Any recent info on possibility to leave from Pekanbaru, Ive heard this has been done in the past.
Is Dumai OK going from Indonesia to Malaysia? Ive heard good and bad things about this place but its mostly coming from Malaysia.
Can we travel from Medan with the bike or is the only option to fly?
As any of you who have been to Indonesia would know its impossible to find information from anywhere else but the source. As we have little time to play with and would like to avoid the ride north to Medan if we can and make the trip from nearby Pekanbaru/Dumai. This way we can spend the maximum amount of time in our newly discovered jungle hideaway, before our visas expire.
Any ideas/tips/advice welcome.
Thanks in advance
Nathan and Aki
|
6 Aug 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
|
|
I´ve no firsthand info on Dumai or Melaka, but I was warned not to take the bike to Dumai from Malaysia. That province is said to have problems with smuggling, and customs can give travellers a hard time clearing their bike (dont know if that is still so, or how it might work, if heading towards Malaysia).
I took the bike from Penang to Belawan (near Medan) and everything worked smoothly. But the boat is a cargo one, they didnt allow you to go along, you had to either fly or take the speedboat (which we did) which only transports people. Even if you somehow managed to let them take your bike into the speedboat, which you will never know, it is Indonesia afterall, then loading/unloading it is probably not easy, and it might have to stay on the deck, get some saltwater splashed onto it, etc.
Getting accurate information about just about anything is nearly impossible in that country!
BTW, if you end up going to Belawan, Lake Toba is definitely worth a few days. The ´Trans-Sumatra Highway´ which I´d rename the ´Billion potholes byway´ has some quite interesting sections south of Lake Toba. Nothing too bad at the time of our trip, but during the rains it might be different.
|
7 Aug 2008
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 21
|
|
Hi Hathan,
I'd advise that you take the boat from Medan (port of Belawan) to Penang as that is a regualr ferry, but you should check on frequency, thats the normal bike route and they are experienced at it. Riau is not reliable and they will fleese you.
The other good thing about going via medan is that the best part of sumatra is Toba which you will ride past, also make sure to stop just north of toba at Penatang Siantar (about 100km south of Medan) the local form of public transport is BSA 350/500 singles with sade cars, these bikes are B31's from 1946-55. North of Padang is the town of Bukit Tinggi the home of the Minanag Kerbau culture also very interesting. If you plan to get to Kl let me know.
rgds,
Dean
|
7 Aug 2008
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
|
|
Going FROM Dumai should be ok, somebody posted this here recently. Unless you can find the elusive ro-ro ferry in Dumai you will have to ship your bike separately.
|
8 Aug 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: On the road
Posts: 121
|
|
Hey guys
Thanks for all your fast responses.
We have decided to ride up to Belawan and ship the bike that way.
I was happy to here that the fast boat service carries passengers so even if we cant get the bike on with us we will go by sea.
Our bike is just a small CT110 so it can be lifted by 2people easily.
Thanks again and see you on the road.
Nathan and Aki
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2024:
- California: April 18-21
- Virginia: April 25-28
- Germany Summer: May 9-12
- Québec: May 17-19
- Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
- CanWest: July 11-14
- Switzerland: August 15-18
- Ecuador: August 23-25
- Romania: August 30-Sept 1
- Austria: September 12-15
- France: September 20-22
- Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-15
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|