Buying a Motorcycle in the Philippines Revisited

Since I first arrived in the Philippines I have owned 4 motorcycles. All of these have been the inexpensive Chinese "clones" of popular Honda models. My experience has been good with these bikes, but there are some words of caution and some caveats when buying one of these bikes. I also know a bit about the name brand bikes here and can pass along some helpful info if you decide to go that route and spend a bit more money.

 This was the first bike I bought upon arriving in the Philippines. A 125cc Rusi Ramstar Trail bike. Rusi is a major player in the Philippines, and represents the typical Philippine business model for selling Chinese motorcycles. Bikes are manufactured in China and re-badged with the Rusi Logo, sent in parts to the Philippines where they are assembled here and sold. This circumvents the heavy import duty on complete motorcycles by the Philippine customs authority. Many companies do this, some importing the original Japanese or Chinese brands un-assembled.

 

This is a picture of my second bike. Also a Rusi, but a 150cc Ramjet model. Often used as a mule for conversion to a tricycle or Habel-Habel, it is a Honda TMX 150 clone. The engine is identical to the Honda in most aspects, and even interchanges with many Honda parts. It is your basic 1970's vintage push-rod motor. Torquey and durable. The rest of the bike uses cheaper quality Chinese parts, some of which need to be swapped out if you plan to keep the motorcycle very long. Bearings and tires, as an example. These bikes are geared very low. For highway cruising swap out the rear sprocket for a larger one (42-46 tooth).  I kept this bike for about 2 years.  It was relatively hassle free, but the electrical system was not so robust, I had frequent minor problems with bulbs and wiring. You can buy similar models for between 36,000 and 46,000 P

My third bike was nearly identical to the second one but was a Motoposh re-branded China clone. Same engine as the Rusi, but different parts used in the assembly. I only kept it a few months as I really wanted a Motoposh SBX 200. There was initially no stock anywhere in the Philippines on this model, but when a few suddenly became available, I traded my 150cc for the 200cc SBX.

This bike is as you might notice modeled after the Honda CBR 400. But at 69,000 pesos, just a little less money. Is it any good? Box stock, no, but with a little modification it is now a pretty good bike. I swapped out the factory rear mono shock for a gas filled one, changed all the bearings including the steering head, added a used 30mm Honda carburetor, and had a custom exhaust built and installed. It is really a relatively fast and responsive bike now, and I have taken it all over Negros and Cebu Island. Total cost about 80,000 P.

Should you buy a china bike instead of a name brand? I can't answer that for you except to say, examine the reasons for buying a motorcycle, and the use you will get from your bike. If you plan to keep it longer than a couple years buy a branded bike for a more trouble free experience. If you like to tinker, or only want a bike for light use, buy a China clone. By the way, the Honda's and other branded bikes sold here are not made in Japan, They also are made in China and assembled in the Philippines using cheaper components to keep the price down.  Some are now being imported from India as in the case of Kawasaki (Bajaj).
Update: I have traded my last China bike for a Bajaj Rouser 220. For 98,000 pesos, which was the best cash price I could find in Cebu, I got a whole lot of motorcycle. After 6000 Km I can safely say their is no comparison to my previous china bikes. This particular bike offers, in my opinion, the best bang for the buck in a non Chinese bike. Manufactured in India and assembled in the Philippines, it offers Japanese level quality at a moderate price. Very fast for a 200cc class bike, it is geared a tad high for my tastes, but will out run any scooter style bike in stock configuration. You can pay 250,000 for a Kawaski Ninja 250, but you will not get 150,000 pesos more performance. In fact most reviews concur that the Rouser is almost equal in acceleration to the Ninja up to about 60 KPH. With a higher revving engine and a 6 speed transmission, the Ninja will out run the Rouser at top end speeds. The Rouser handles like a light weight bike and is easy to navigate in city traffic, which is a plus if you want to commute.

Dumaguete to Cebu City by Motorcycle

I often go to Cebu City for various reasons. Sometimes a visa run, other times shopping or other business. This time tired of riding ferries or Ceres Liners, I decided to ride my motorcycle. I figured I could shave at least a half hour from the trip if I got lucky with the ferry connection to Bato from Tampi.

I actually left from Siaton not Dumaguete, so my trip was lengthened by 40 minutes. I made it from Siaton to Tampi in just over one hour, a rather fast time as it was Sunday and the traffic was light. As I approached the dock at Tampi the barge was loaded and just about to leave, the dockmen waived me on and I scooted onto the ship as they raised the ramp. Timing is everything, and in this case I was very lucky.

Disembarking at Bato after a thirty minute ride on the ferry, I sorted out my things and took off for Cebu City. On a Sunday, as I mentioned before, the traffic is very light making the first two thirds of the trip relaxing and very enjoyable. The road winds around through Oslob, Argao, and Dalaguete. A motorcyclist's dream of switchbacks, chicanes, and sweeping turns are an adventure and joy to ride. Just be very careful of the Ceres liners that also ply this road in abundance.

The coastal road has a decidedly Mediterranean feel (except for the flora), and the resorts and large homes carved into the seaside cliffs add to the ambiance. It is a beautiful ride, and very different from riding on the bus.

After getting to Car Car, the traffic increases exponentially. Not as relaxing, driving speed is still about 60-80 KPH, but you are surrounded by other motorists. A careful eye and dilligence is required. The fun goes out of the trip by the time you reach the outskirts of Cebu, but it is not so bad that anyone could not handle it.

In the end, my trip from Bato to Mactan Island Island took under three hours. I did in fact shave off a 1/2 hour to the south terminal where the bus normally would stop. A nice ride on a Sunday mid morning, and even on my 150cc underpowered steed, very doable.

Motorbike Drag Racing-Dumaguete

I am always interested in manifestations of popular culture where ever I travel. It is particularly interesting for me to see current trends in motor sports transfered to other cultures; adapted and translated to the local tastes and in this case budget.

Motorbikes, step throughs, scooters; whatever you call them, they all descend from the venerable Honda 50 Cub. This classic first of its kind motor bike was voted best all time motorcycle by the Discovery Channel. An amazing fact since it was competing with Harley's, Triumphs, Matchless, and other very powerful classic machines. The Cub won because of its impact on popular culture, its durability (at the shows end they dropped one from a 5 story building and drove it away), and it's world wide distribution.

Today in Asia, and specifically the Philippines, there are many descendants of this classic design. Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki all make updated 100 and 125cc versions whick resemble futuristic cafe racers on a miniature scale.
This is not wasted on the after market crowd. There is not so much disposable income in the Philippines, so the kids customize there $1000 dollar motorbikes instead of Toyota Celicas. They spend at least that much money again replacing parts for both appearance and performance sake.

What you see is anodized accessories, custom seat covers, lowered frames, ultra thin tires and alloy or cast aluminum rims. On the performance side they add, unneccessary (but cool looking) oil coolers, performance exhaust systems, and tweaked engines. Some street racers have hidden neon lighting under the fenders and custom headlighting. Basically everything available to hot rodders for their cars is utilized on these miniscule two wheeled bikes.

Some do it for style, while others go for performance. Drag racing is a popular weekend activity here, while illegal on public roads, it happens with regularity. If you are in the know, word gets out where the weekly races happen. Commonly refered to as "underbones" these racing bikes are stripped of every bit of plastic coach work, seats removed, all lights taken off, all in a legitimate effort to decrease the weight. When doing any performance mod, decreasing the weight is the single most effective means of increasing performance.

Some of the bikes look like stripped down Mad Max creations, while others really are an artistic expression of personal style. I get to see quite a few of these as students come by our place often. The coolest one I have seen so far is a 1970's vintage Honda Dream 70cc bike. Stripped like an underbones style it is tastfully painted with chromed accessories. The rear fender is bobbed and it just looks sharp.

Here is a video slide show from You Tube that highligts a gathering in Dumaguete. I don't take credit for the hip hop/Alternative soundtrack, turn it off if it becomes too much, it does accuratly relect the social scene surounding the bike crowd.





This next takes place in Tanjay just north of Dumaguete. Check out the people in the road, "and no one got hurt"




This last one I included just because this guy gets the prize for Wheelie King.

Taclobo Barangay Choppers

One gets to meet some good folks here in the Philippines. It's even better when through serendipitous events, two or more can be brought together to create something exceptional.

In this case my friend Alan had a motorcycle he recently purchased used transformed into a work of art by another friend, Newton.

Newton has been a motorcycle painter and repair technician for some years. I have known him to be talented and very creative with his work. When Al bought a chopped Chinese 150cc cruiser from another expat, he asked if I knew anyone who might be able to paint it and do some repairs. Newton had great mechanical talents, and could also paint. The plot was hatched.

Afew days later Al and I went to Newton's shop, and as it turned out he wasn't too busy at the moment. He was all ears and very interested in the project.

One thing led to the next and the bike was literally transformed. Pictures will do more to serve the result than words, so here goes. Newton has been excited about the prospects of doing more bikes, so who knows TBC may become a Philippine franchise.