Extreme Motorcycle Modifications Costing Up to RM18,000 Raise Safety Concerns in Malaysia

Malaysia's Road Transport Department (JPJ) has identified a serious trend of extreme motorcycle modifications, with some owners spending as much as RM18,000 to alter their bikes. These dangerous modifications include removing rear brakes, installing "octopus tires," and swapping engines along with their control units (ECU).

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Based on the motorcycle operations conducted, there have been riders as young as 12 years old who were detained, but most are between 18 and 30 years old.

Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan, Senior Director of Enforcement at JPJ, stated that this trend is becoming increasingly prevalent among motorcycle owners this year. In response, JPJ is intensifying its "Op Motosikal (Extreme)" operations nationwide. The focus is on illegally modified motorcycles and those using components that do not meet safety specifications, which endanger road users.

Operations have revealed riders as young as 12, though most are between 18 and 30 years old. JPJ has a special "Team Falcon" in each state to address these issues. The costliest modified motorcycle seized so far was valued at RM9,000, but the typical range for modifications falls between RM5,000 and RM18,000.

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Based on the motorcycles we have seized so far, the most expensive modified one was RM9,000, but the range for the cheapest modification is RM5,000 to RM18,000.

These extreme modifications significantly increase the risk of accidents. Statistics show that over 60% of fatal road accidents in Malaysia involve motorcyclists, highlighting their vulnerability. JPJ has issued numerous notices for various offenses, with 252,118 notices specifically against motorcyclists by May this year. Since 2021, 38,959 motorcycles have been seized under the Road Transport Act 1987.

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More than 60 percent of fatal road accidents in Malaysia involve motorcycle riders and pillion riders. Those statistics clearly show that this group remains the most exposed road users to the risk of serious injury and loss of life due to accidents.

JPJ emphasizes that dangerous riding practices, extreme illegal modifications, and riding without a license are serious offenses. Muhammad Kifli warned that such actions can lead to severe, life-threatening accidents.

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JPJ emphasizes that the culture of dangerous motorcycle riding, extreme modifications without following specifications, and riding without a license are offenses under the law. In fact, these actions can invite the risk of serious accidents that claim lives.