It was another great day to go out and do another seminar like what we recently did in Zambales a few months back. It is always nice to meet new people and share what we’ve learned with them.

The trip was short and fast. The NLEX and SCTEX has done wonders in cutting down travel time. We reached Olongapo in no time and did our initial ocular inspection of the venue where the seminar was going to be held. All there is to know about the Olongapo Convention Center is that the place deserves a lot of praise by the sheer size and way it was built.

After the inspection, we headed down to Max for some mirienda while waiting for our hosts. Upon arrival of the Yamaha Club of Olongapo, we were brought to the hotel where we stayed over night. Even our accommodations were beyond our expectations and we were given a good nights rest during our stay.

By night fall, our main host, picked us up from the hotel and brought us to a fancy pizza parlor which reminded me of what used to be Shakey’s in the 80’s. There were a couple of bands playing that night and they were awesome to say the least. After eating, we were brought to a couple more bars where the bands were at their best. We got the best of Olongapo even before we did the seminar for them. After a few drinks and a lot of entertainment, we were walked back by our host to our hotel for our rest.

The next morning, we left the hotel early and had a quick breakfast before heading back to the Convention Center. After being showed around the place, we proceeded to setup our banners, laptop and PA system. After a quick check, we then waited for the participants from all over to converge and listen to us talk.

Jake was first and after a fun and informative session, I gave my seminar and and answered some questions from the crowd. We were met with a surprise when the hosts together with the City Councilor of Olongapo City presented me and Jake with plaques of appreciation for being guest speakers for their seminar.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Hon. Cornelio Niro who hosted our seminar, the Yamaha Club of Olongapo City for their support, The local government for sponsoring the event, Inside Racing for the giveaway magazines, MCP for being a partner in this movement and all those who participated in the seminar. We hope to be able to go to more places and see more people in the future.

The Olongapo seminar was held last May 24, 2009.
If you are interested in having seminars done in your locale, please get in touch with the MRC office at 725-3949 or the MRO office at 934-4176. You may also send inquiries via email to mroph@yahoo.com.
Thank you!

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...]

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.

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.

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.

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).

But this morning confirmed what I was dreading. Another news report on the local radio reported that after the turnover ceremonies yesterday, some of the bikes could not be used since there were defective parts (leaky gas tanks and various parts falling off the bike) on some units and some units refused to start. They again reported that these units were purchased for Php 249,000.00, a discussion ensued about what bike they bought, since at that amount you can get a really second hand big bike or a brand new scoot (in fact several scoots). The reporter mentioned something like “yung parang madami sa daan ngayon” (“the kind we most often see on the road today”), which undoubtedly means it was an underbone. Now I’m not familiar with underbone prices nowadays but can somebody please tell me if there are underbones that cost that much, and if there are, why do they have such build quality.

It’s pretty obvious some people made money in this deal, not just small money, a huge chunk of money. Php 250,000.00 multiplied by 10 is Php 2.5 Million. For argument’s sake let’s put the price of their bikes at Php 50,000.00 and the total bill would be Php 500,000.00 for the entire fleet. Someone did make a killing of Php 2 Million. This is Php 2 Million of our money folks, our money, the money which we’ve worked hard for.

The least they could have done was bought proper bikes for our poor policemen.

The first time I experienced that phenomenon (if I may call it that) was on the way up to Antipolo with my daughter. A motorcycle behind me kept honking his horn since I thought he wanted to pass. What puzzled me is that the road was big enough for him to pass so I kinda got annoyed that he kept beeping. I kept my pace but moved a little to the right so he can finally pass. When he did, they (he had a backride) smiled back at me and I finally understood what’s with all the honking: we’re bonded by our scoots.

I had the same encounter while riding along Rockwell, Ortigas, T. Morato or even in Diliman but those times, I knew better. I even honk my horn whenever I come across a Yellow Cab pizza delivery and they always nod and honk back. It appears that it’s a ‘rule’ that every Vespa riders know. One time, I even had a small talk with the delivery guy while riding within… (READ MORE)

Three weeks after I looked at the Piaggio Fly 125 at 2211 Works, I was ready to take it home. I felt like bringing a new born baby to its new home. Well of course, I don’t know what that feels like but taking home “Firebird” seemed to feel that way. Oh yes, my new red scooter’s name is Firebird. I named it after Igor Stravinsky’s opera.

Before taking it home, I had a taste of test-driving the unit just so I’d be familiar with the controls. It has been seven months since I’ve driven a scooter and so I wanted to make sure that I could still ride and control one.

Robby, from 2211 Works explained the basics which I needed to know in driving Firebird. The throttle, the breaks, the switches, what to expect, etc.

The Fly is automatic. Having gotten used to riding a geared scooter, I had to slowly learn to drive an automatic. Of course it was much simpler but it takes time to unlearn the old and adapt to the new.

It’s got an electric start and a kick start. Of course, the electric start is easier to use. Squeeze the left or right break controls, squeeze the throttle and press the start button. Sounds simple but believe me, it takes some kinda ’style’ to do all these.

The throttle. Don’t squeeze it too hard. Just a little bit and let the scooter work up speed on its own. Gently squeeze to your desired speed.

The rear break is on your left and the front break is on the right. Robby said not to squeeze the front break too tight as it really stops immediately. Actually, it was a bit confusing for me as I am used to the bicycle break controls positioned vice-versa.

Left and Right Signal light switch on the left side of the handle bar. Push to return to neutral position. This control is neat.

Ok! I’m ready to go. Oh, don’t go beyond 60kph till you reach 1000km. That’s called break-in period. Wow, I thought that was slow. 60kph. Anyway, follow the gurus and it will result to a better running scooter.

From Manila to Quezon City. That’s the trip for the night. So, I started the engine and off I went. I gently squeezed the throttle and was very cautious about it. The Fly just glided and true enough, I needed just a gentle squeeze. That’s the first thing I noticed. From stop to start, it smoothly glided and was a fast one.

Since I was bonding with Firebird for the first time, I made sure I rode on the farthest right of the road. For me, it’s not the safest part of the street but at least I don’t get to irrate other drivers with my slow pace.

Did I say slow? Oh, that was a mistake. Relatively slow is what I would say. I was running at 40kph and tried to hit 50kph. I always had to tell myself that I was driving the scooter for the first time. Mind you, in the streets of Manila, driving at that speed was just right. You can’t go any further not unless you were in the main road.

It was early in the evening and I really liked the scooter’s bright lights. It beamed a little bit high and so I need to adjust that later on. Oh, I forgot to mention. Once you turn your keys to ON position, the lights automatically switches on as well. Just like the cars in North America. They’re always on even during daytime. I found that weird when I was living in Toronto but later on realized the benefits of it. Besides, the lights are automatic so it’s one less thing to remember when I start the engine.

Compartments. It’s got one under the handle bars. At first, I thought that it’s just too small. It can only hold my cellphone, wallet and another small thing. Then I remember, it’s got another one under the seat and that’s big enough to carry my thermos, belt bag and lunch pack. Not bad! Not bad at all. If I do my groceries, I could fit some items inside the seat compartment and still manage to have a few grocery bags hooked under the seat and resting on the foot panel. Oh! And I discovered, I could put my half-face helmet inside too. No need to carry with me wherever I go. Sweet.

The horn. Now this one needs replacement. Oh, nothing wrong with the horn. It was working completely fine. It’s just that, it sounded like a bicycle horn. So faint. Definitely not for the streets of Manila. It’s just too tame.

The speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge. Very analogue but Firebird has a digital clock! That’s cute.

Fuel Consumption. Firebird has accummulated 89km and used 3/4 of the fuel tank. That’s in a week’s time. That means, Php180.00 worth of gas.

The seat. It’s long and wide. I can have a passenger and we can both seat comfortably. It’s also got a roomy foot rest for me and my passenger.

The ride. Smooth I would say. Maybe because it’s got 12″ wheels which made the ride more stable. Plus, it’s got this rear shock-absorber which really bounces so smoothly and is perfect for some bumpy side streets. As a matter of fact, the next day, I took it to Valenzuela, Bulacan and the Fly made all those uneven roads feel like they were just ’small challenges’ to overcome.

The engine. I should say I am happy with Firebird. He doesn’t seem to look extraordinary but he’s got a Piaggio 125 cc Leader engine and that makes him rock! It makes him fast and it doesn’t use up much gas. I really haven’t maximized his speed yet. I could only go at tops, 60kph and at that, he’s already flying. I just couldn’t ride past 60kph yet because of the break-in period and besides, from my house to my work place, I couldn’t drive that fast unless I come home late at night.

Oh, one last thought. If you are a femme and would like to own one, I suggest building up some muscles first. The Piaggio Fly 125 is heavy! I can move it around, no question about that but sometimes, I could do with some help from a brawn brod.

Firebird. He’s my city road hero.

‘Old Streets of Rio’ (photo courtesy of Fernando C. Regencio, Jr.)

Both has that distinct classic lines (notice the similarity of the Vespa’s cowls to VW’s fenders) and each have long been known by the name of the insects/bugs they take after. Both are also known for their sturdy steel frame and considered icons of European designs.

When we were kids, I remember my brother Randy (aka mitlancer_gsr here in MCP) pointing to one car he called ‘Benz Wagen’ whenever it passes in our old neighborhood. When I finally got to see this car, it was a converted Beetle with the hood/front compartment made to look like a Benz complete with the classic grills and insignia/emblem that Benz’ are know for. All this time, I thought ‘Benz Wagen’ are common hybrids until I googled the word and didn’t find any relavant link or picture to back up this story of mine.

Now, imagine a Wasp converted to look like a Beetle (or vice versa if the conversion is 50-50%). That wouldn’t be a freak of nature, but an object of interest worthy of display in a motor show.

SEE IT FOR YOURSELF!

I got my current ride in the summer of this year but I have been a rider way back in college. The experience was comepletely different since I didn’t care much about riding safety then. Japorms and speed are the only things that matter back in those crazy days. But now as a family man, I have considerably slowed down and got to became a lot more cautious especially when I’m riding with my daughter. It’s a totally a new experience that I want to share here.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m no expert but maybe you’ll get a tip or two by writing about the little things I’ve learned so far.

• Adult Rider’s Responsibility

The values your kids learn will not just depend on what you say, but also with what they see. If you don’t regularly wear a helmet, no amount of talking could make you convince them. Force them, yes; but convince? I highly doubt it.

As a parent, you are the best judge if your kid is ready to ride with you. If bringing a child makes the rider take one hand off the handle bar to hug and ’secure’ the child in front, then it doesn’t make the ride any safer for either one. If you think your child can manage, take him for a short ride within the neighborhood before deciding to go farther. The motion of a moving vehicle is very conducive for sleeping especially for the little ones. See how it is for your child.

A rider should also know that taking a kid for a ride is far different from having a grown up as a passenger. You have to always check how they are doing if they’re suddenly quiet during a ride especially if your child is taking the pillion/back seat.

Although I must admit that kids are usually a lot more relaxed and fun to ride with. Some grownups just can’t get use to the necessary dips a rider has to make when turning and tries to counter-balance not knowing they do more harm than good.

• Protective Gears, Clothing & Accessories

First and foremost, your kid should have his/her own crash helmet. Not your own helmet, nor a toy helmet. The gear is for protecting your kid’s head in case an accident occurs and it would be totally dumb and utterly inconsiderate if you are protected and your little bundle of joy isn’t.

A rain gear is also important for sudden downpours. We do not want our kids to get something bad (like a cold!) out of something that spells fun for them. I don’t usually allow my daughter to wear skirt during a ride. It’s not that I’m conservative, it just that it’s quite obvious that a pair of jeans can do some protection in the leg area in case of a crash, that skirts & shorts simply couldn’t. I also advise against sandals or flip-flops. Only shoes would do for our riding kids. Oh, and I do not allow my little girl to bring any kind of toy; just a small shoulder bag and she’s good to go.

Over the ‘net, I’ve seen a child riding belt available for children who backrides. It looks like it gives a little more peace of mind for the rider but even the manufacturer disclaims that it is a safety device and admits it hasn’t been tested as such.

• Rules for Child of Riders

Talk to your child the importance of safely riding. Explain why he always has to wear a helmet or why she should let you know if she’s sleepy while on the bike unlike if she’s in a car. For bikes with its muffler(s) exposed, the backrider should be made aware that the pipes can pretty much scald the skin badly if the leg accidentally got into contact. Any passenger must always keep their feet firmly rested on the footpegs, kid or grownup.Here’s a good rule of thumb: if a kid is too small to reach the footpegs, then he’s too young to ride.

For kids, it’s is a thrill (especially for the boys) to saddle on a parked bike and pretend to be their favorite riding superhero (it could be you or a character totally fictional). Let the kid know that it is a big no-no to twist the throttle no matter how tempting it is. The throttle-twisting is what identifies a biker in child’s play so explain to him/her clearly what happens if he does that with your parked bike.

Children should also know the dangers of climbing up their dad’s parked motorcycle on a sidestand to avoid the bike from falling over, or worst, falling over them! If available, a smart rider should use the more stable centerstand when kids are around or when parking the bike unattended. Not doing so is simply an accident waiting to happen.

My daughter knows when to climb up (only after I’ve started the engine), when to alight and where exactly to hold on during a ride. She’s also aware that we cannot talk as much while we are riding as her voice is muffled by her full face helmet; and that we have to compete with the sound of wind and noise around us; and of course, her Didda (yep, that’s how she calls me) cannot always lean down to listen and concentrate on driving at all times. She also learned that her sudden movement (a jump, a jerk or a jig) could make my scoot swerve if I’m caught unaware.

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Like I said, riding with a child is a fun activity. It’s like you’re sharing an amusement park ride experience everytime you do it; but safety always comes first. My daughter’s always excited if she knows she’s gonna be riding with me instead of taking the car. It’s like a thing she can never get enough of.

Stay safe & enjoy the ride!

(article reposted from “Who rides a Vespa?” blog)