Motorcycle in Manila.wmv

[@kenjordans]

Hi Bilytkid, thanks. I rode in Manila for 10 years. It is less risky than it looks. In the US it would be very risky. Pinoy drivers pay much more attention.

[@Bilytkid]

Hello Kenjordans. I just got back from Manila last Dec. (2012). Traffic is getting worse every year. In one week, I seen three motobike accidents. On speed around our taxi at night, and hit one of the men working on the roads.

[@kenjordans]

A better question is why don't the vehicle drivers get up earlier to beat the traffic? I have no problem beating traffic.

[@kenjordans]

@randomemailaccount It takes up to 4 times as long or more. 30 minutes on a bike and 1.5 to 2 hours in a car are pretty good times.Thanks for asking!

[@kenjordans]

Thank you for sharing though Luis!

[@kenjordans]

Ouch, that is bad to hear. 3 motorcycle accidents on a short visit? Hard to imagine but so many new motorcycles are being sold and the new riders don't have the experience that the veteren riders have. I am now in the US and don't even ride so I probably have lost my concentration. Thanks for posting your comment.

[@markk2745]

I use to live on Emerald ave in ortigas (think it has a new name now) and use to dread heading into makati for some fun because of the traffic, so one day with no license nor experience I stopped by the motorcycle dealer on edsa dead set on getting one. I think i lucked out on the model i got ( Suzuki 125 street/dirt bike ) forget the exact name, but it sure sounds similar to yours and its a 2 stroke. That gave me a lot of freedom and was great to be able to buy a bike with a 2 minute tutorial and me swerving all over edsa blvd trying to get the hang and balance of it, but after about 10 minutes I was off and that little bike gave me the most fun during my time in the Philippines. I didn't see to many of them around so just got lucky that was the bike the shop had in stock. Later i got a honda 200 enduro (not sure the name but very common) and a CB250 and neither were as fun to ride around on for me. Anyway hope when i get back i can get that bike again but I think they are cracking down on 2 strokes so might not even make it anymore. That was back in 2002/2005ish.

[@ai6311]

can you upload a video of yourself popping a wheelie on p. burgos street in makati?

[@TheAhernFamily1]

Why don't you just get up earlier and beat the traffic LOL

[@kenjordans]

I have heard there was a tightening on 2 stroke and the 4stroke have been taking over fast. I have not been in the PH for 2 years. Lots could change. My Kawasaki 125cc was so much fun to ride. Such a good balance for a tall bike. I hope you find your Suzuki once again!

[@markk2745]

I do not see any new 2stokes for sale anyplace online in the philippines, so im pretty sure they don't sell new models but i think you can ride them still. I bought my 2 stroke Suzuki ts 125 (i think thats the name of it) on a complete whim because i got sick of Ortigas traffic, so stopped by the dealer on edsa with no real motorcycle experience or license one day back in 2002 and drove out with it onto edsa swerving back and forth but after about 5 minutes got the hang of it and that ended my reliance on taxi's or being totally stuck in traffic. Gota say it was so damn fun (my crashes aside) to zip around manila on that bike. Anyway the funny thing is i didn't understand the difference between 2 stoke and 4 stroke performance at the time and i purchased the bike without test drive because they wouldn't allow it, probably every other small bike on the showroom would have been a disappointment to me, so glad i happen to choose a 2 stroke. If i ever get back to Philippines going to make sure i get that bike again (although i think my model was pretty rare) but i'll go with the Kawasaki 125 as im sure performance is comparable.

[@kenjordans]

True Luis, though there are many more things that can get a biker in Manila.

[@Bilytkid]

Good driving, but as a motorcycle rider, I think very risky

[@kenjordans]

I never hit the side of a car. Whenever I hit mirror I would stop, straighten the mirror and apologize. Sorry for your experience.

[@randomemailaccount]

So, how much longer does this trip take if you're in a car and can't weave all around like that?

[@kenjordans]

@ai6311 I would like to but I don't pop wheelies.

[@plausibleless]

I'm thinking of getting a bike next time I visit my family in Manila. Here in canada, some cagers don't anticipate bikers which is why I get caught by that one idiot that tries to share the lane with me while Filipino drivers expect bikers. I live in toronto and we have streetcars (basically trains on downtown roads) and my tire caught one of its tracks. I crashed and I'm now recovering from surgery. At least you don't have to worry about streetcars in the Philippines!