Do not single us out because of a few bad apples.

That was the response by The Superbikers Club Malaysia to the proposal by Works Minister Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu that the government ban motorcycles on the North-South Highway if they continue to flout the traffic rules.

Bernama had, on Monday, quoted the minister as saying that he saw four high-powered motorcycles racing on two lanes of the highway, going at 170kph and endangering the safety of other motorists.

The Superbikers Club Malaysia   secretary Iskandar Zulkarnain Mohamed defended superbikers on the grounds that they are different from, and are not, Mat Rempit.

"If the government is going to ban-high-powered motorcycles, then it is  only right to ban all two-wheeled vehicles from playing the expressway," Iskandar Zulkurnain told the Malay Mail yesterday.

"It is unfair to blame superbikers as what the minister saw was an isolated case. It?s definitely not a normal occurrence, Moreover, we do not travel in large groups unless there?s a convoy," said the 34- year old businessman.

Iskandar Zulkurnain said he forsees such ban to do nothing good, but affect the tourism industry in Malaysia.

He said there are there e main biking events the kick off in Malaysia and they attract more than 10,000 bikers annually.

Harley Owners Group Malaysia president Choo Kai Mun agree with Iskandar Zulkurnain that a ban would prevent foreign superbikers from entering the country.

"If the ban comes to effect, our tourism industry would definitely suffer.

"What more when the MotoGP comes  to Sepang soon, when we normally  have superbikers coming from the neighbouring countries.

"It is not feasible. Superbikers are also made up of royalties , minister ,corporate figures and even the Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ibrahim Ismail goes on his annual Johor Mahkota Ride,? he told the Malay Mail in a telephone interview from Sabah.

Choo, a 46 -year old contractor, said the tourism industry would be  hurt because there are Singaporean bikers that play the highways en route to destinations such as Ipoh and Malacca every weekends.

He said superbikers do abide by  the 110 kp speed limit set.On the North-South highway.

"Undeniably, these are high powered machines but Harley Davidsons are meant for cruising and we don't speed.

Choo and Iskandar Zulkarnain  welcomed  Samy Vellu's suggestion to meet with motorcycle owner associations to discuss the proposed ban.