The Pros and Cons of Solo Riding | Winston's First Solo Trip Into Malaysia

Riding solo is good for the soul. You're completely responsible for your own well being. It teaches you a unique form independence and self awareness. We as Singaporeans probably need it more because our country is so small. We're always safe and comfortable most of the time and we get complacent about our lives worrying about a lot of first world problems. If your motorcycle breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Your character, wits, problem solving and patience all get tested. Especially if it's your first time, you have to deal with it alone as best you can.

Pros. You can get lost and not bother or delay anyone. You “discover” new roads. 😅

Watching this video reminds me of my first solo trip when I rode to malacca with a FZ16(4months experience in riding). Managed to reach malacca without using GPS .It was scary yet I feel that solo trip build your confidence level in riding and navigating. Crossing the bolder also allows you to know the capabilities and limitations of the bike which was why I upgraded my bike upon passing my 2A last month PS: would love to ride with you guys someday

I'm so used to solo riding that I have never ride in a group before even when offered. One of the pros is that you can make a detour anywhere you want and find some really good hidden food places and place to clear your mind. It's easier to interact with random people and for me usually random people will come up to me to talk to me.

Agree with what you said about riding solo (even applies to cycling). It's not about having no friends. Sometimes we just want to have some quiet moments and be alone to take in the views, etc. without any rush or distractions from others. I also agree with what you said about feeling the rumbling engine and hearing the exhaust notes - totally legit and not lame at all. It's not about riding fast, it's about FEELING the ride. Thanks for the video Winston! Beautiful RNineT! Ride safe!

Rode to Msia solo once on my MT-09, OTOT was great but can get really boring and would start shouting randomly to keep myself awake lol. During that trip, on my way back, I felt threatened when I was being chased by some smaller 2 stroke bikes (I was paranoid that they would rob me and take my bike). I sped up for quite a distance (otherwise, I'd usually chill and cruise) to a nearby petrol kiosk and heaved a sigh of relief when I saw a small group of friendly Singaporean bikers there. The sense of security and warmth from a bike community, taking care of one another, is something that makes riding motorcycles great.

I do solo rides to trengganu, gua musang... and up coming to kota bahru. Solo and sometimes with my wife, and i had been enjoying ever since. The biggest advantage is you can do everything own time own target, stop and go whenever you likes, no time pressure, no speed pressure.

Totally inspired to do a solo ride to Kukup next week! Thanks for the awesome video ❤!!

Subscribed! Fellow rider from Malaysia here. Welcome and ride safe!

Solo riding has been and will always my way to do a little soul searching, escaping the rats race of SG and to somewhat rekindling the sense of "freedom". And the concept of "freedom" can be found in many ways while riding solo. It's just you, your choice of machine and the search of gas stations amidst the kms of tarmac. No other noise. Smile, remember to smile. Even underneath that full face lid, smile. Those who acknowledges your eyes, knows that you smile. So why go in search of the "Land of smiles", when the smiles is already in you. And what better way to recognise and see deep inside your self, when you are one with the machine, riding on and facing the vast lands of earth, alone. Wasn't that was what the earliest of man was left to do on earth? In search, for himself? So please don't mind us dear neighbours, we are all here to do a little soul searching on your roads, sands and trails....

After watching this, I suddenly have to urge to go back to touring after like 18 odd years. Nice video Winston!

Great solo riding video, very ok!

In November last year I rode up to Chiang Mai solo. Took 5 days to shoot up to CMai. I rode 4 days in MHS area and took 5 days to come back to SG. Really good fun. Not a hairy moment by God's Grace. Quite safe and no one harassed me. My DR650 was approaching 20 yo and I just turned 70. No time to waste. It was now or never. Thanks so much for sharing!! Up and down, it was a 6000 km trip. I got lost a little near Bangkok.

Good informative video. I myself rides solo. Rode solo up to Malacca & Mersing multiple times. Had a couple of group rides but i feel its not for me. I feel better riding solo. Have plans to ride further up maybe KL or Penang but stil yet to do it. One thing when riding solo need to find good lodging for the safety of our bike.

Yes you are absolutely right, worried about punctured tyre or bike break down

I tried solo ride too and i really love i! Enjoying urself and folo ur own pace!

Come ride with me. From Kuching to Tip of Borneo.

Welcome to Malaysia, Understand the moment to carry all stuffs, If bike no box no lock i never put stuffs on bike for "free to take", I just come back from ride solo in Japan Hokkaido, all rider here never carry helmet into shop or toilet, even camera or bags still mounted on bike without worry about it.

I like riding solo, went solo from SG to Mae Hong Son years ago. Most of the time I ride solo to Thailand. Might do it again later this year or next year. I can stop wherever I want, whenever I feel tired. And I am a pit stop kinda rider. Pump petrol, guzzle down water, go pee and carry on. When I ride in a group, I find the stops too long sometimes. But I'm not those 180-220km/hr rider. Nowadays, at most I will go touring with just 1 other guy with the similar style of riding. Otherwise my touring life has mostly been solo and always out of Malaysia (Scared whole bike get stolen!)

Sharing my experience with the Xiaomi pump: It pumps rather slowly and the battery for mine degraded too quickly for my liking. It took less than two years before its battery could only muster enough energy tp pump up a single tyre from flat to half. I had since bought the INGCO portable pump as replacement. This comes with a universal detachable battery that can also be used across its battery-powered product range. This pump now sits permanently in the underseat storage of my X-ADV and it pumps considerably faster than the Xiaomi unit. I also purchased an additional battery for peace of mind, which is good to have if you will be riding long distances and off the main roads.