Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah hosted its second international motorcycle touring group within two months, as 21 Indonesian Harley-Davidson riders embarked on a remarkable 3,250-kilometre journey across three countries.

The riders, members of the prestigious Harley-Davidson Club Indonesia (H.D.C.I), received a warm welcome at the Harley-Davidson Kota Kinabalu showroom in Kolombong, underscoring the state’s growing appeal among the global motorcycle touring community.

“We are honoured to welcome these riders to Kota Kinabalu,” said Harley-Davidson Kota Kinabalu Managing Director KS Lee, who also manages the H.O.G Kota Kinabalu Chapter. 

“Their visit highlights the strength of the regional Harley-Davidson brotherhood and reaffirms Sabah’s reputation as a prime destination for motorcycle tourism.”

The group’s nine-day motorcycle journey across Borneo in 2026 brought together enthusiasts from three nations, most of them hailing from Jakarta, Indonesia. 

They began their trip by flying into Pontianak before riding through various regions of Indonesian Borneo and Malaysian Sarawak. 

With a total of 30 participants and three support vehicles, the group traversed diverse terrain, including coastal roads, inland routes, and even crossed international borders, passing through Brunei.

Upon reaching Kolombong, the Indonesian riders mingled with local bikers, enjoying drinks, snacks, and exchanging stories from their journeys. 

The event illustrated how motorcycling unites people, regardless of nationality, through a shared passion for the open road.

A highlight of their Sabah visit was a scenic ride to the iconic Tip of Borneo in Kudat, where they had the opportunity to take in the breathtaking views at the northernmost point of the state. 

Lee, along with 10 members from the Kota Kinabalu H.O.G Chapter, escorted the group to Kudat and treated them to a feast of fresh seafood, showcasing the region’s renowned culinary offerings.

“Our Chapter members were proud to accompany the group to the Tip of Borneo and share our exceptional local seafood, further emphasizing Sabah’s unique riding routes and legendary hospitality,” Lee said. 

The Indonesian riders’ journey spanned a total of eight days, covering Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri in Sarawak before entering Sabah through Brunei. After their stay in Sabah, the group returned to Pontianak, retracing their route through Brunei and Sarawak.

This visit adds to Sabah’s growing momentum as a motorcycle tourism destination. 

Just the previous month, 45 riders from Indonesia and Brunei completed the Sabah 360 Tour, a 10-day circuit of the state that further boosted the local tourism economy. 

Along the way, they enjoyed regional delicacies, fresh fruits, and souvenir shopping — experiencing the vibrant culture of Sabah while contributing to its economy.