Borneo Tour FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Tour Overview

Travel to Malaysia

Food

Motorcycles & Support Vehicle

Riding

Hotels

Pricing & Money

Tour Overview

How many spots are available?

We want this tour to be as intimate as possible, especially since we’re just starting out. So we’re trying to keep it at a maximum of 8 people.

If this tour sells out, will you add more dates?

Absolutely! Things are already selling out, so we may add a couple more tour dates. Contact Us for more.

These dates don't work for me. How can I choose different dates?

Contact Us, and we’ll see what we can do.

How can I make my reservation?

Simply fill out our Contact Form, and we’ll get in touch with you to set up a one-on-one phone call. We love this part of the process because we really get to chat with you, get to know you, and are able to tailor the tour to better fit your needs. Then once you pay your deposit, your spot on our tour will be reserved.
Important – Please do not purchase airfare or any other non-refundable travel expenses related to the tour until after your spot has been confirmed by paying the deposit.

What if I want to sit out some activities?

For most activities, you totally can. The only obligation is that you ride the motorcycle from one location to the next. See our Itinerary for more details on what we'll be doing.

Travel to Malaysia

What is the weather like on Borneo? How hot is it really?

VERY HOT. Borneo is on the equator, and it has two seasons – hot and rainy, and hot and more rainy. There is no fall, and no winter, but once you get over the heat aspect of it, it’s pretty nice. The sun shines all year round, and between rain storms it’s gorgeous. Actually, even the rain can be gorgeous. You just have to get used to the heat. It’s not dry heat, even the temperature gauge doesn’t look so bad. But it’s the humidity that will get you. Think Florida in the summer. We will be taking lots of breaks while riding to stay well hydrated.

If I'm coming from North America, how bad is the jet lag?

When we flew over from Florida, we spent several days unable to do much. From the east coast of the US, it's on the other side of the globe, as far as you can go. Jet lag was pretty brutal. So we highly recommend you get here a bit early, as many days as you can manage. Contact Us for our recommendations on other places to visit (Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Java, other spots on Borneo...)

Malaysia is a Muslim country. Can I drink alcohol there?

Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, but it actually operates as a secular state since Malaysian society is full of different religions. There are Buddhists from China, Hindus from India, and tons of Christians all over, especially on Borneo. So to answer the question, yes, alcohol can be purchased, especially at the tourist places that we will be going to. Every once in a while it may be hard to find, and in general it can be pricy compared to everything else.

And speaking of Muslim countries, does Malaysia have a certain dress code we must follow?

No, there is no official dress code. In general, women may dress somewhat modestly in Malaysia, especially at the beach, and I try to follow the local norms so as not to offend anyone. That means that at a public beach with lots of other people, I may wear a sarong, or in town I won't wear a low cut shirt or show my midriff. But no one in Malaysia seems to be too uptight about these things. And when we're in tourist hotspots like Lankayan Island, I'd say pretty much anything goes that would be normal on an American beach.

What should I pack?

Great question! We've got a whole Packing List!

How can I get phone service while in Malaysia?

If you want to have phone service while in Malaysia, we suggest getting a temporary international plan with your phone carrier for your trip. You can also purchase a local SIM card at the airport, it's pretty affordable. We recommend Digi brand.

Am I going to have to use a squat toilet?

Probably. We try to make stops at places with Western-style conveniences, but sometimes we may not be able to avoid a squat toilet. I can give tips on using them once you're here, otherwise, you can do some reading up (and maybe practicing) beforehand. If Tim can figure it out without falling in... then you should be just fine!

Is Malaysia safe?

Although "safe" is a relative term, Tim and I have been genuinely impressed with how safe Malaysia feels. Yes, crime can happen, and we must always keep our wits about us, but in general, we have only ever felt warmly welcomed everywhere we've gone in Malaysia. No one tries to cheat us out of money, and we've never felt threatened. I'm pretty sure you're going to love it here.

Will I need to obtain any visas ahead of time?

Malaysia has just introduced a new online visa system for many people who previously came visa-upon-arrival. Now you must complete this online form 3 days or less prior to arrival in Malaysia, but we will help you with the process before you come, and it should be very simple.

Food

I'm sensitive to spicy food. Will I survive Malaysia?

I don’t want to say Malaysia will be a death sentence for you, because it won’t. But at the same time, there is a good chance you’re going to encounter food that might be too spicy. One thing about Malaysian food is that unlike Indian or Thai, Malaysians often put their sambal (chili sauce) on the side so it's not incorporated. Also, we'll be mostly going to places that serve Western food. So let us do the ordering for you and we’ll try our best to order non-spicy food, but I cannot guarantee it'll always work.

I'm vegetarian / vegan. Will that be ok for this tour?

As in most Asian countries, eating vegetarian or vegan is a challenge, but possible. Rice is the basis for most dishes, and Malaysia makes amazing tofu, tempeh, and vegetable stir fries. But when it comes to salads... it's lacking. And chicken, fish, and seafood is their pride and joy in life. We'll simply have to be a little creative when ordering food for you.

I have a dietary allergy such as gluten intolerance / lactose / peanut / shellfish, etc. What will I be able to eat?

All of these things should be avoidable, but some are easier than others. Gluten isn't usually a problem since most dishes are based on rice, but if you have a very strict intolerance, keep in mind that many soy sauces are made with a tiny bit of wheat. Lactose and dairy is simply non-existent in most Malaysian dishes, and peanuts are usually found in the satay sauce, or sometimes sprinkled whole over bubur (rice porridge) or soups. Shellfish, or fish in general, is probably the hardest to avoid since tiny anchovies and shrimp are hiding in almost everything! Tim hates fish or even the whiff of it, so we have experience with avoiding this... let us know if this is you.

In general, how much do meals on Borneo cost?

The food is very reasonably priced in East Malaysia, and you can get a full meal of delicious street food for as little as $2 USD! That being said, we will be mostly dining in more upscale establishments, which means your meal may cost anywhere from $5 to $15 dollars on average for lunch, and perhaps more for dinner. Add in drinks, and the fact that some meals that we'll have at hotels and tourist hot spots may be a bit more pricey, and you should get an idea of how much you might spend.

Motorcycles & Support Vehicle

Can I put my luggage in the support vehicle?

Yes, you can!

Can I hire riding gear, or do I have to bring my own?

I'm afraid most of the gear available out here may not be in your size or to your standards. Therefore you should bring all your own riding gear, including your helmet. Also, do not forget a removable rain suit. See our Packing List for more information.

Can I bring my own motorcycle?

If that’s something that’s possible for you (Borneo is tricky), you can. I’m not sure bringing a bike over to this island is worth it financially. Contact Us if you'll have your own motorcycle on Borneo.

I want to ride 2up. Will these motorcycles be suitable for a passenger?

Since we are 2Up and Overloaded, you have definitely come to the right place with this question! In our experience, the motorcycles provided on this tour are a bit smaller than what you’ll find on a tour through Europe, for example. A smaller bike is typical here in Southeast Asia though, and it has its advantages, but even the KTM 250 was a little cramped when we rode it. So for riding with a pillion, I would highly recommend the Himalayan (we have not tried the BMW or Kawasaki yet, but we have a lot of experience riding 2up on the Himmy). That motorcycle has a good amount of room for both rider and passenger, and has plenty of power as well. I'd also HIGHLY recommend packing an Airhawk or another type of cushion for your seat though (I put a cutting board under mine and it’s comfy, but I know that sounds crazy). Most motorcycles do not have the passenger in mind when they made the seat.

If I'm a passenger, can I ride in the support vehicle on any given day?

Yes, you can. But please note that the support vehicle does not necessarily go to all the cool stops that we do. So you might be missing out on some things.

Riding

Are all the roads on this tour paved? Can I ride off-road?

98% paved. There are some off-road opportunities that you can take if you’d like, or you can skip them (nothing is super technical, but for those who like it, it's fun). But there will be some spots where we will simply have to pull over on gravel, or even… sand. Being comfortable in this situation is important.

Will we be riding every day?

No. The first five days or so are pretty intense for riding, but then it will get easier and more relaxing as we go along. And days 7-10 there is no riding at all because we’ll be at the island retreat. See our Itinerary for more.

What happens if it rains?

Because this is Borneo, it very well might rain. Storms are usually short, but powerful. In this situation we will pull over, put on our rain gear, and then continue riding (carefully, unless it’s like a hurricane). Once the rain is over, we’ll stop to take the rain gear off.

What is the most we will ride in a day?

Our longest day is over five hours, which is a lot. We normally don't like very long days, but this one was unavoidable. We will take frequent breaks, and we also recommend packing a seat cushion like an Airhawk.

What if I get into an accident?

There are two things to consider here - your personal safety, and the condition of the motorcycle. If you are injured in an accident, we will immediately get you to the closest and best medical facility available that can tend to your needs. The good news is, Malaysia's health services are fantastic and usually quite affordable. Still, we highly advise you to have medical and travel insurance for this trip.

Now for the bike. Although not a common outcome, we've done our best to prepare for every given situation, including catastrophic motorcycle breakdowns. It will certainly depend on the exact circumstances and the logistics of the specific tour, but we may have an extra bike on hand, or you may be able to ride Tim's bike as he jumps in the support vehicle. Either way, we're going to work hard at making sure you can continue the tour in a comparable manner. Your motorcycle will be covered for local limited liability insurance, and so as far as damages go for the motorcycle, that will all be arranged through the motorcycle rental company.

Hotels

What type of hotels will we stay in?

Amazing ones! We wanted to be sure that this tour is both fun and comfortable. Long days of riding in the heat can be exhausting, so we wanted you to have a wonderful place to stay at night. See our Itinerary for more details on every hotel we will stay at (note: this is a preliminary guideline, and it may change).

Will I be sharing a room with another rider?

If you paid for the "Solo Rider - 1 Bike + Shared Room" package, then yes, you will be sharing a room with another participant, each in a twin bed. If you would like your own private room, you can absolutely do that. See prices HERE.

What happens if I paid for the Shared Room price, but there’s no participant to share the room with?

The policy of other tour companies is that if you've paid for the Shared Room price, but there's no one to share it with, you will then be charged the Private Room price. But we've decided not to do that, and to cover any additional cost that may occur if we can't book a tour with an even number of shared rooms. There may be a chance you have to sleep in the same room as Tim, so you may want to consider if the extra money would be worth it for the private room, ha!
-Jokes aside, we want you to enjoy your tour at the price listed, nothing more.

What if I would like a room all to myself?

You can do that! The "Solo Rider - 1 Bike + Private Room" price includes a room for only one person. Just so you know, there is a guesthouse where they may not have enough rooms for this, the beach house near the Tip of Borneo (Day 2 - Welcome to the Jungle). But if that happens, we will arrange a private room for you at a different hotel just a little further up the road from the beach house.

Pricing & Money

How much is this tour?

You can see all our price packages HERE.

How much is the deposit?

The deposit is $1,000 USD per person to reserve your spot on the tour. Nothing is reserved until the deposit is paid.

What is your return and cancellation policy?

We’ve tried to go with something that is fairly typical in the motorcycle tour industry. Check it out:

If You Cancel MORE Than 3 Months Before – You will get a full refund of all money paid minus a $200 cancellation fee.
If You Cancel LESS Than 3 Months Before – You will get a full refund of all money paid minus a $1,000 cancellation fee.
If You Cancel LESS Than 1 Month Before - All funds paid will be forfeit as a cancellation fee.

Please see our full Terms & Conditions below:

2Up_Terms_and_Conditions.pdf
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How much cash should I have, or will credit cards be good enough?

Credit cards can used at most gas stations and some restaurants, but in general, cash is king on Borneo. We recommend going to an ATM right away (at the airport) so that you always have some local currency on hand. Luckily, there are more ATMs all over the route we're taking, so you will have some more opportunities to resupply throughout the trip.

By the way, we also recommend keeping a tiny stash of US dollars / Euros and an extra credit card (in a waterproof bag) somewhere on you in case of an emergency (wallets sometimes get lost, cards could get eaten by ATMs).

Will I need to tip on this tour?

Tim is a firm believer in tipping people well when they do a good job, and our money goes a long way out here. So we like to pay it back to the local communities that welcome us to their home countries by tipping wait staff, cooks, guides, drivers, and anyone else who assists us along the way. Although you can always add tips to what we give, you can rest assured that at no point will you be pressured to tip on top of what you've already spent.

I'm excited! Sign me up!