With Philippine traffic being as unforgiving as it currently is, going with two wheels is often times a better way to get from point A to B in the quickest time possible. It’s also infinitely more exhilarating zooming past everyone aboard a stylish bike packed with features fit for the race track. Everyone from Don Quixote to the Masked Rider could benefit from having a trusty steed between their legs, so we asked the country’s top motorcycle brands to present their best wares. Below are their top offers for city slickers.
Suzuki Raider R150 Reloaded
To borrow the words of Korean pop star Rain in one of his commercials, “Black looks good,” and in the case of the Suzuki Raider R150 Reloaded, its premium black/gold and black/red color options are drop dead gorgeous. Inspired by the brand’s GSX-R line, it carries with it an updated blue lens headlight design, seat contour, and muffler; sharp-looking rear combination light with built-in signal lamps; engine cowling; and sporty stainless steel combustion muffler with cap.
Don’t let this underbone’s looks fool you, though. It’s not called the “Underbone King” for nothing. It should leave most other motorcycles in the dust with its 147.3 cc double overhead camshaft (or twin cam) 4-stroke, 4-valve carburetor power plant that’s rated to zoom at a power level of 15.64 ps @ 9500 rpm and pull at a torque of 12.4 Nm @ 8500 rpm. To have it running at its best, it is attached to an oil-cooled cooling system on top of using wet sump lubrication.
The engine is also paired to a six speed constant mesh transmission with a multi-layer hydraulic clutch. Disc brakes at the front and rear are employed to help it slow down, while telescopic coil spring oil damped shocks at the front and swingarm with mono shock up struts help the bike absorb bumps from even the worst
riding conditions.
Moreover, it has a refined instrument panel with a hi/lo shift timing indicator that will help riders drive more efficiently at the optimal speeds. Powerful, street-worthy, and a modder’s dream, it’s available in Suzuki shops and dealers at
PHP 94,900.
Honda CB150R Streetfire
Coming from the stable of Honda Philippines, Inc. is the all-new CB150R Streetfire and it is every bit as sporty as it looks. Not one to lack in the design department, it features an all LED lighting system, a 12 L muscular gas tank, an aggressive muffler design, and a futuristic full digital meter panel.
It is powered by a programmed fuel injection 150 cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 4-valve, DOHC engine that’s capable of producing a maximum 16.86 ps @ 9000 rpm and 13.8 Nm of torque @ 7000 rpm. This power plant is mated to a six speed constant mesh gearbox and is spurred to life by a full transistorized ignition and a kick/electric starting system. For vibration dampening, it features a telescopic fork suspension at the front and a monoshock (Pro-link) suspension at the rear. Stopping duties are handled by hydraulic disc brakes at the front and back.
Lastly, it also struts an advanced bank angle sensor to kill the engine and prevent injuries when the motorcycle accidentally slips out from under the rider during extreme turns; and an auto secure key shutter because—let’s face it—with its sleek aesthetics and track-worthy performance, it will be getting both wanted and unwanted attention. It certainly does its MotoGP heritage justice.
Available in winning red and black colors,
the all-new Honda CB150R Streetfire retails for
PHP 116,800.
Yamaha MT-09
Not to be left out, Yamaha Motor Philippines Inc.promises to rev its customers’ hearts with the
MT-09 naked bike.
At its heart is a 3-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 4-valve, DOHC fuel injection engine with an astounding 847 cc displacement. It maxes out at 115 ps of power @ 10000 rpm and 87.5 Nm of torque @ 8500 rpm and is driven by a six speed constant mesh transmission system. Start up is purely electric.
Built around the power plant is a CF die-cast aluminum frame which is not only lightweight, but is also rigid enough for the best balance between strength and agility. The front part of the bike also struts telescopic forks with 137 mm travel distance, while the back has swing arm (link type suspension) shocks with 130 mm travel distance. Taming all the bike’s power are hydraulic dual disc and hydraulic single disc brakes at the front and back, respectively.
The Yamaha MT-09 isn’t just brawn, though, as it also struts a couple of intuitive features in its nooks and crannies. For starters, it has a traction control system which reduces rear tire drift and gives users more control. The asymmetric CF die-cast swing arm rear suspension is paired with an almost horizontal shock beneath the seat for responsive dampening action. Even the exhaust system is pimped up, with three corrosion-proof, nanofilm-coated stainless steel downpipes converging into a subtle Euro 3-compliant muffler giving it a distinct roar. Riders are also assured a comfortable time on board with the bike’s ergonomics, which include wide and tapered handlebars; long and flat seat; and knee recesses in the 14 L fuel tank.
Sounds good? The Yamaha MT-09 is available exclusively at the YZone for a whopping price tag of PHP 499,000.
Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE August 2016 Issue.
Words by Chris Hidalgo
Artwork by Theresa Eloriaga