1. Distractions: motorbikes
Hot WHEELS
Banker Dennis Quah looks like your average corporate suit holding a top position in
financial investments. But come the weekend and he rides the wild side on a Harley-
Davidson. Is the tough biker guy image a myth wonders WONG MUN WAI.
Think banker and weekend shopping, dining or even and subsequent Harleys were very special experiences,”
golfing comes to mind. Not for Dennis though. Most he says.
weekends he trades his briefcase and necktie for the
roar of that distinctive black and silver motorbike Finally, he got his hands on a Sportster 1200 Custom.
many associate with the leather-clad, bearded and “I wanted something within the Harley family but
tattooed Hells Angels. youthful and well, sporty,” said the 34-year-old. The
Sportster served him faithfully on a road trip to Chiang
BIG FAMILY Mai. Eventually he traded it in for a bigger, more tour-
Dennis is one of about 300 members of the Harley friendly 2001 Harley-Davidson FHLR Road King.
Owners Group in Singapore. A number that has After customising the bike “to the max”, he bought
grown over the years to include mainly expatriates the newer 2008 model with better ABS brakes.
but also an increasing number of Singaporeans
getting to grips with a Harley-Davidson. TOUGH ON THE OUTSIDE
Birds of a feather flock together as the saying goes and
For Dennis, membership in this select group began to that end, Dennis is now the Assistant Director of
six years ago. The anticipation ahead of owning his the Harley Davidson owners group. But how does he
first Harley-Davidson was overwhelming. Nights reconcile being a heavy duty biker and banker at the
were difficult as sleep evaded him. “Buying my first same time?
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2. Dennis dismisses any Hells Angels Harley’s sold in 2010 was 1,372 or social upheavals and the build-up
gang-type associations, but his 0.93% of the total motorcycle and to the Vietnam War. The Harley-
1.77m tall, 84kg leather-clad frame scooter population, up from 766 or Davidson was the rough anti-hero’s
does little to dispel the tough guy 0.6% in 2000. statement - the ultimate freedom
image. The only giveaway is his machine, you could say.
beaming, youthful face. There seems little risk of a
Harley invasion just yet as the Ironically, Harley’s “brand
“I have helped organise all kinds motorbikes are a “niche” market. community” includes having
of activities including rides into Nevertheless, the Harley is an its name on merchandise from
Malaysia, charity events, casual iconic motorbike. To place the baby clothes to t-shirts. Possibly
get-togethers and even last year’s machine, think 70s Hollywood a sign of the times we live in.
annual dinner and dance,” he films, endless highways and the Nevertheless, it is an awe-inducing
says. The bike tours include a American dream. vehicle, and who can ignore its
7,500km ride up through Malaysia tough rebel air?
into Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Song “For me, it was the Easy Rider type
and around Thailand. of look that I was sold on. The days
of rock and roll and this Easy Rider TIPS FOR RIDING A
vibe,” he says with a melancholic HARLEY-DAVIDSON
HARLEY HIGH
nostalgia. • The motorbike is not a racing
To gain a deeper insight into
bike but for long road cruising
Harley buffs, I visited Daman
Easy Rider was the iconic, • Switches can be different from
Choy, Commercial Manager of
counterculture film of 1969 Japanese or European bikes
Harley-Davidson in Singapore.
starring Peter Fonda, Dennis • Be careful when turning the
He is also the Chairman of the
Hopper, and Jack Nicholson, bike because of its weight
Harley-Davidson Owners Group.
The movie depicted an angry, • Be prepared to sit in a cruising
If you want to know what a Harley
commercialised America amidst position
fan looks like, Daman is your
stereotypical big, burly rider. But
he was also a gracious, friendly RENT A HARLEY
host. Rates are as follows (for more details: www.harleysingapore.com)
Touring Deposit Softail Deposit Dyna Deposit
He pointed out statistics from the Daily 239 $500 $229 $500 $199 $500
Land Transport Authority showing
the rising number Harley’s sold CONTACT
here over the years albeit at a Harley-Davidson of Singapore, 253 Alexandra Road, #01-04
modest pace. The number of Tel: 6475 0123 lite
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