Wanel’s campsite, close to the sea with the second Penang bridge in the distance.
WHEN a barista who crafts artisanal coffee from a motorcycle goes solo camping, this is how it’s done.
Wanel Zynee, 30, brews espresso, americano, macchiato and a variety of other delicately prepared coffees straight from his 2007 110cc Honda EX5 Dream.
With a minimalist yet practical setup, Wanel takes his entire “shop” along whenever he heads out for a camping trip. His motorcycle even features a tiny tap and sink.
“Making the perfect cup of coffee has been my passion for years,” he says. “I once had a coffee stall, but it didn’t do well. Then I realised I had to be mobile, to go where coffee lovers are.”
In the centre is a hand-operated espresso maker and to the left is the tap and sink on the motorcycle.
Inspired by videos of baristas in Indonesia and Thailand making coffee from motorcycles, Wanel carefully studied the techniques and built a similar motorcycle-stall himself.
When Covid-19 stay-at-home orders restricted movement, Wanel’s longing for the great outdoors resurfaced.
“When I was in school, I loved camping. It was simple back then – a tarpaulin, a groundsheet, a fire, and that was it.
At the base of the coffee dripper is an electronic scale, with which Wanel uses to pour exactly 250ml of hot water to make the perfect cuppa.
“After modifying my motorcycle for coffee, I realised I’d created something perfect for solo camping. I can cook and make my own coffee right from my bike.”
Besides his two-wheeled cafe, all Wanel needs for survival is a cosy sleeping setup: a single cot tent he found for RM200, which he has used countless times.
He also invested in a collapsible camp chair with a tall backrest so he can lean back and count shooting stars.
“I only buy camping gear that’s sturdy and can fold down to the smallest sizes. Space is a luxury I don’t have on my bike,” he says.
Wanel avoids hauling backpacks on long journeys by motorcycle because they drag at his shoulders and it can get seriously tiresome.
Instead, he lashes his gear to the sides of his motorcycle and packs the rest into the coffee stall box attached to his backseat.
Toast and chicken wing salad served with generous amounts of mayo.
One golden rule of motorcycle camping, according to Wanel, is ensuring the ground is stable.
“I always kick out the bike’s double stand to make it part of my camp setup. But if the ground is soft sand or laterite, it won’t hold, and that’s a big problem,” he explains.
Though highways pose no issues, he has had his bike collapse at campsites due to unstable ground, causing him considerable hassle.
At camp, Wanel’s focus is on relaxing. If there are other campers around, he enjoys making new friends and sharing his coffee.
Somehow, he manages to carry 25 litres of water on his motorcycle, which connects to his custom-made tap and sink, adding a touch of luxury to his spartan camping trips.
To see Wanel’s ingenious motorcycle cafe in action, head to Masjid Kampung Timah in Permatang Pauh on mainland Penang. Search for “Kopi Kapchai” on Google Maps, and you’ll find him brewing coffee in the evenings.
