For most of us, the Sundays when there is a MotoGP race on are practically sacred. Most riders typically clear their schedules on this day and prepare to sit back on the couch and cheer on their favorite rider.
For Honda riders, the days leading up to one of these most sacred Sundays is spent more actively. They get their engines running, quite literally and figuratively, with the Honda Asian Journey.
This annual event gathers together customers, journalists, Honda dealers, and associates from the six countries of the Honda Group of Companies in the Asia & Oceania region. This year, over 60 riders from six countries, namely Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and India, gathered to experience the joy of riding Honda’s motorcycles cross-country.
This year was quite fortuitous with the Honda Asian Journey culminating at the Sepang International Circuit on the exact weekend of the Malaysian MotoGP raceday.
With such a heart-pumping closing, there could be no more appropriate Honda motorcycle to ride than Honda’s sporty CBR Series: comprised of the CBR1000RR, CBR650R, CBR500, and CBR250R.
With approximately 550 kilomters to cover over four days, the journey began at Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur on October 31. The day’s ride would head to Malacca, the historical state with picturesque heritage buildings, ancient landmarks and colonial structures. There could be no better form of encouragement than Honda HRC's own riders, Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo, wishing the participants well.
On the next day, November 1, riders took off from Malacca to head to Genting Highland, the cool hill station set that enjoys the cool mountain air and shelter of the majestic 100 million-year-old rainforest that surrounds it.
On November 2, riders headed from Genting Highland to Putrajaya, Malaysia's third and latest Federal Territory. This venue also saw riders treated to a grand dinner with Honda’s MotoGP riders. And while many were keen to meet 2019 Champion, Marc Marquez in person, a crash earlier in the day during qualifying necessitated the champ to get some bedrest and prepare for the race the next day.
On November 3, the group finally made its way to the Sepang International Circuit for the MotoGP race, along with hundreds of other Honda customers to cheer for the Honda GP riders in the Malaysia MotoGP.
While the ride is short, the Honda Asian Journey has brought together riders from different countries and cultures to share in their enjoyment of Honda motorcycles. Despite the borders, it’s easy to see that we’re all brothers in the same passion for two wheels.
Making the Honda Asian Journey possible were the following Honda Group of Companies in the Asia & Oceania region: Boon Siew Honda Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia); PT Astra Honda Motor (Indonesia); A.P. Honda Co., Ltd. (Thailand); Honda Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Vietnam); Honda Philippines Inc. (The Philippines); Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt., Ltd. (India); and Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., regional headquarters for the Honda Asia & Oceania region.
Information about and photos of the Honda Asian Journey 2019 can be found using the official hashtag #hondaasianjourney on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
