Prior to the ride, we asked several contacts in Bora if we could actually bring in our scoots to the island resort. All said it’s not easy or it was close to impossible with the strict regulations. Details on how-to were sketchy so our group settled to just leave our reliable steeds at Caticlan. But deep inside, I still wanted to give it a shot. We’ve gone all the way there, so how hard is it really to bring the scoots along on a 15-minute boat ride? But who do we talk to? The coast guards? The boatmen? The porters? We were totally clueless. I admit I was also concerned of about how much that extra trip would cost or if it was even safe to do so. On a personal level, bringing my scooter there will be a validation that this ride is indeed a Boracay Ride. I wanted it so much that I had to at least try. [READ MORE…]

(photo courtesy of Calvin Tang) Here in Philippines, when one talks about a motorcycle mounted with a sidecar, the image of the good ol’ tricycle would immediately pop to any Filipino’s mind. The three-wheeler is essentially a mini-version of the more popular jeepney. It’s a workhorse that carries cargo and passengers which can easily fit narrow streets and alleyways unlike the other bigger public transports (more info about Philippine tricycles here).

Yesterday, Eugene, a ride buddy and founder of Scoot66 (a riding club composed of Vespistis mostly based in southern Manila) posted in vespaclubph forum a couple a pictures of another “trike” not usually seen in the streets of Manila. It’s an immaculate white Vespa PX with a bullet-shaped, Cozy sidecar attached to it. My fascination with single seater, open and roofless sidecars may have been nurtured at a very young age while watching Star Rangers daily in the late 70s. But seeing the picture of those five superheroes now, I realize that their chosen mode of transport looks no different from the mobile patrol of the Barangay tanod (neighborhood peacekeepers) in our area. hahaha!

Here’s the front view of this drool-worthy Vespa sidecar:

So could this thing fit a grown man for a side passenger? Check out the sideview photo and see the legroom.

Yesterday’s issue of the Sunday Inquirer Magazine is all about motorcycles and the people who rides them.

Right on the cover is bossa nova singer, Sitti, riding a scooter. Vespa Nova, the cover story, was written by Eric Caruncho who’s himself a rider.

• For a complete list of other motorcycle-related articles appearing in yesterday’s edition, CLICK HERE.

October 11 marked the grand opening of the Levi’s Philippines flagship store in newly opened Trinoma mall. It opened with a bang by staging a very unique fashion show. When the event organizers got in touch with me looking for six Vespa scooters and riders, I didn’t had a hard time finding volunteers — I, being one of them! Who wouldn’t? It’s a rare chance to parade a scoot in a show, the rider gets to have a gorgeous babe as his backride and he even gets paid for it! Franky, I would’ve agreed even if it was for free!

Here’s the complete lineup of the Vespa boys who took part in the show:

And here are the Brazillian babes who modeled for the brand:

Check out how these models backride on a Vespa. No two poses are alike, I tell you.

• SEE MORE PICS HERE.

I first heard of this news over the radio yesterday.

The Caloocan police acquired 10 Motorcycle units for their police force to counter act the recent string of thefts involving motorcycle riders in tandem in their area. I thought well then good, maybe they do need to do that instead of passing stupid laws like the stupid helmet sticker law. Then I heard something at the end of the report regarding the cost of the units, something around the area of Php 250,000.00. Again I thought, wow such a big amount for a bike, but giving them the benefit of the doubt again since Caloocan is the bike capital of the city and this is not the first time I’ve heard of bikes that expensive being used for security (Bgy. San Antonio in Pasig purchased a handful of units of Honda CB 400’s for their security force a few years back and are still in use today).
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