THE RXZ Members Ride Edition Melaka 3.0 2025 was held on December 12‒13, with 20,000 Yamaha motorbikes descending on the historic city, which is a popular tourist destination.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the event recorded an estimated 70,000 visitors.
He disclosed that the state deliberately aligned the event with its tourism roadmap as part of preparations for Visit Melaka Year 2.0 and Visit Malaysia 2026, which targets 19 million tourist arrivals to the state.
If street bikes fiesta can attract more visitors, will organising more such events be good for Melaka?
First, let us start with local businesses and residents. Outlets patronised by visiting motorcyclists and pillion riders were no doubt happy.
Onlookers with nothing better to do would be thrilled to watch countless number of motorbikes roaring and tearing up the streets, whisking through traffic and pedestrians with glee
Those unaffected may be neutral, while those affected can suffer inconvenience, loss of income, be injured by motorbikes or belongings snatched, and bear with noise and air pollution.
All these are crucial matters, more so for tourists who have chosen a destination that promises comfort, convenience, safety, security, and relaxation.
But the Yamaha RXZ model is the exact antithesis. It is fitted with a 2-stroke 135cc engine producing 20 HP (15 kW) at 8,500 rpm.
Its sale was discontinued in 2011 due to stricter government emission regulations. Two-stroke engines run on a mixture of petrol for power and 2-stroke oil for lubrication, as there is no engine oil.
Oil cannot be burnt as well as petrol and so the air will be badly polluted. Whenever you see smoky motorcycles on the road, it is likely to be an old machine using a 2-stroke engine.
The Melaka government ought to take into cognisance that pollution can affect the status of Bandar Hilir, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong voiced out complaints that the motorcycles had disrupted residents’ daily routines, affected public tranquillity and raised concerns over traffic safety.
However, Merlimau assemblyman Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh supported the gathering, seeing it as boosting motorsports tourism, benefiting the economy, and celebrating a community’s passion.
Gatherings of Yamaha RXZ bikers are organised and promoted using specific Instagram accounts and hashtags.
Mobilising tens of thousands has certainly caught the attention of politicians, but such exercise is a double-edged sword that can be used to cut both ways, like fire which can be used for both good and bad.
Bikers in large numbers naturally feel a sense of camaraderie. While some are indeed respectable folks, a larger number can easily be emboldened to do foolish things. Woe betide motorists who collide with any of them and the biker or pillion rider is injured, as the driver is likely to be beaten to a pulp, regardless who’s at fault.
Melaka is targeting 19 million visitors next year, or an average of 52,000 per day and 104,000 over two days. The recent RXZ event attracted 20,000 Yamaha bikes and 70,000 visitors over two days.
Hosting more street events featuring motorbikes would tarnish Melaka’s wholesome image and turn away mainstream visitors. ‒ Dec 19, 2025
YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: Utusan
