Watch me on the highway
Hi everybody, if you come to Zamboanga City, be careful. No, city is not dangerous as you hear, but it just got more dangerous than before! You see, I bought motorcycle! So, now, if you driving around in Zamboanga, better watch with your eyes for crazy Spaniard on road! I never drive motorcycle before in my life, but now I will start!
What you think? Some people say riding motorcycle in Philippines is very dangerous. But, my thought is driving is very slow here, so should be not a problem for me. I must practice a lot, and I keep on practice more and more so that I can’t have bump to a car!
So, I bought motorcycle on Tuesday June 9. Used bike, but not bad, 2006 model. The bike is Suzuki Raider with 150cc. Small bike, but big in Philippines. Seller asked me for P60,000 to buy, but I just laughing at him, because new bike is not much difference. I keep negotiating for bike. For nearly 1 week I negotiate to the buyer. How much I pay in the end?
P41,000. Wow, I think good deal! What you think? Motorcycle is red, like my hot spicy peppers and my Spanish blood!
Will you ride motorcycle in the Philippines? Is it safe, or very dangerous? The cars will hit me? Maybe I hit the cars! Ha ha. Just joke.
Hmmm…. Now I only need to buy helmet. If you come to Zamboanga, you watch 0ut to me on the streets, because I am wild Spaniard! I no worry if you coming, I might bump you! No serious on this, just a lot of joke. Now, not only buy helmet, but 2 helmet, because I also need hot girl to ride with me on new motorcycle!
Time for road trip? Want to join?
Hola Carlin,
Ok..nice SCOOTER, not a motorcycle…hehe..but you will only be as safe as the other crazy drivers using the roads at the time.
Good luck mi amigo, and yes..get that helmut, and one for your lady.
Adios amigo,
Danny
Hi Carlin. You make me jealous, I,ve been on bikes since I was 15, i,m nearly 40 now. and if theres some advice I could give to a beginer it,s this. Try to find a rideing school, check with honda, they have good training available but not sure about your area. You will see alot of people not wearing helmets or shoes when rideing, don,t copy them, they are fools, you will crash at some point and it will hurt less if you are protected. A good jacket also, just the fabric style with armour if you can, check the magazines like inside raceing for suppliers and styles. Rideing here isn,t that bad if you use your head. I have ridden in Australia and New Zealand and some of the conditions there are bad also. It takes time to learn to read the traffic and to feel confidant and along the way you may scare yourself, but motorcycling is addictive and if you are like me it will soon become a passion. To this day I have beautiful clear memories of fast long rides over the mountains on my Ducati 900ss.
Hi Carlin,
Sounds like you got a good deal there,don,t forget the insurance.
regards Chas.
Hola Carlin, Como esta?
I was in Bukidnon and I saw a crazy sight. A whole family of 6 on a motorcycle. I wish I had gotten a photo of that
Hola Carlin
Looks like a good cycle and I am sure you will have fun. I have a Honda 125 that I drive when I am vacationing in the Philippines and I love it. I did cut my foot on a piece of bamboo that was along the side of the road when I had to get over for a truck so I will agree that shoes are a good idea when riding. A couple other things to watch out for in the Philippines are the loose rocks on the roads and the rain. Both make the roads in the Philippines very slippery. Have fun riding!
Hello Carlin,
I agree with Larry. Good shoes or boots and watch out for the gravel! One of the hardest things to do is keep control of the bike on loose gravel even at low speed. My additional recommendation is to buy a good pair of motorcycle gloves. Unfortunately they may be hot, but they will also protect your hands when you fall.
Enjoy – it looks like a a fun bike!
I had every intention to have abike by now, but a neaighbor of mins, older man like myself who has ridden in Europe and many other Asian countries for about 40 years was under a bus three times in less thna two years. Luckily her was not serious hurt any of those times, but I figured if he couldn’t do better than that with 40 years expereince, I wasn’t going to use the Philippines as my place to learn. Buses and jeepney’s will swerve to the right to try to grab a passenger and they will not signal nor give the slightest care for a motorcycle alongside. It’s the unwritten rule here that a motorcycle deserves what ever befalls it … my wife is always worried when we drive in our car and I yield for a motorcycle rather than just pulling in front of him … the car behind us mat well ram us and the cops might ticket me for stopping for no reason.
“Its a motorcycle”, she’ll remind me, “It’s his job to give way to a car. You can’t drive here as you would in the US.” Indeed I have heard tires screeching and angry horns behind me more than once, yielding to another, smaller vehicle is a good way to have a wreck here, it is so unexpected by other drivers that it borders on reckless driving. And when you do stop to allow a motorcycle to pass, 99 time sout of a hundred the motorcycle rider will stop too, creating a comical Alphonse and Gaston situation where neither driver is sure who ought to move next … it’s like trying to hold a conversation in a lanague neither driver understands ,… totally foreign and unintelligible, becuase unless he’s dumb or not looking, he’s not going to risk his life going through an intersection at the same time a car is. It takes quite awhile to catch on to this, I’m still trying to relarn a klot of drivcing habits.
It’s a bad place to ride on two wheels in my point of view.
Hi Carlin,
My girlfriend suggested getting a motorbike. I didn’t think I could handle such a machine there, but perhaps I can. It looks like fun.
hola carlin
wow my friend thats a nice bike.flashy colors for sure.although i think you might need a jeepney for all the spicey ladys you will incounter there in zamboanga.let me know if you need a driver my friend.
thanks carlin
Hi Carlin, I have been riding motorcycles since I was 14 and I am 6o. Small when young but 750 cc by 17. Never crash on the road that is. But my uncle taugt the best leson of all. He was highway patrol and told me to hold a pencil in front of me at arms length. What pencil looks like is what a motorcycle looks like to a car at 50yards. Never trust cars and drive very defensively. Now a question for you. The first time I was in Davao I rode a 125. Now I am only 5′11, but my knees where in my chest almost. How tall are you? just wondering if 15 is a little taller. I have a few more weeks before I have to buy there but just courious. Good luck and have fun.
Carlin, take care! Stay away from the highway if you can help it.
Hi Carlin!
Riding motorcycles in the Philippines is a liberating experience. Get a rain suit, good helmet with a shield, and a pair of riding gloves and you’re in business my friend.
I’ve ridden in the rain without a rain suit, but the helmet and gloves were essential protection from insects whacking my face and fingers.
Happy Riding!
Junior
Hi Carlin
Wow, change from £500 thats a good price. Looks like a fun ‘toy’.
Don’t forget your helmet; how else are you going to carry your shopping
You may laugh, but I lost count of the number of motorcyclists I saw in Bacolod who just carried bread and other food in their helmets as they were riding back from the market.
Hi Carlin,
Since you live in Zamboanga, may I ask you if there are many caucasian foreigners there and if it is ok to live a bit outside of Zamboanga city for as. Everybody tells me not to move there but I like the geographical location and the language they speak there.
If you could share your thoughts about this with me?
Thank you Markus.
you only live once so go for it have fun my friend! cant wait untill i visit in july next month!
Oye Carlin!
Este no tiene relacion con tu post sobre tu motorcycle, but I feel most comfortable posting under your posts because you dont seem as rigid (tan rigido) like some of the others
Your motorcycle is real nice & you got a good deal man!
So have you all here on Live in the Philippines checked this white guy out from Hoboken, NJ? He calls himself “ako si Chris” (I am Chris)
He can sing all the Tagalog rock songs and he’s really good too. His accent is not bad at all!
I think he can be a big hit in the Philippines if he wanted to be. I guess when he went to the Philippines last year in 2008 no one really knew him, but now he is known throughout the You Tube community and within the New York City Filipino rock scene (kind of weird that it exists, huh?) He appeared on tape on “Boy & Kris.” I wonder why they never followed up on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z62XnTr-M6Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY5ETpkTgc4&feature=PlayList&p=E56087A8919DB477&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgpwisoR2_o&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeGAs8D-eEY
Carlin, keep up the good posts, guey. Hopefully, I’ll be able to go to the pinas and mindanao in 2010.
Carlin my Brother is in Leyte now and just told me he bought a motorcycle there. $1600.00 new. I told him about your deal and he just said be careful Andy they seem to beat the heck out there bikes here. hehe Told me not to be cheap and just buy new. Well that is him and I think I will take my chances like you. Just always ride in defencive manner and you do good.
hi! i have been visiting this site for quite some time now but have never had the guts to “speak my mind” and post a comment. i am not posting a comment about Carlin’s new motorcycle, though. it’s just that this is his newest post, so i was thinking to post my comment here just so others can see it. Carlin seems to be the kind of person who has a happy view about life… taking it easy… living life to the fullest, enjoying each experience… that’s my impression thru his way of writing… let’s allow him some “margin” or i think you say it “cut him some slack”, i’m not sure with that… just maybe, he’s not yet that used to this medium (written)… but it’s also undeniable that his presence gives this site a little bit more joviality…
To Carlin: me parece muy bien que procuras ser tu mismo como se ve en la manera que escribes tus artículos. pero también es verdad qué no siempre podemos complacer a todo el mundo… cada persona es un mundo y cada uno tiene sus propios intrincaciones. lo importante es procurar ser respetuoso de los demás y a la vez respetando tu manera de ser… va a ser un poco difícil por las diferencias culturales ya que creo que mayoría de los seguidores de este sitio son americanos, si no me equivoco… o sea, que esto también, es una de las cosas que tienes que tener en cuenta. pero tu, sigues con tu rollo mientras no estas hiriendo los sentimientos de los demás, no pasa nada… espero que disfrutas al máximo el tiempo que estas allí en mi país, Filipinas mientras yo estoy pasándome bomba en tu país, España. disculpa por me atrevimiento en tutearte pero me pareció como lo más adecuado. (de donde eres? digo, aquí en España…)
saludos.
hi, carlin. it was never my intention to pry on your private life. let me apologize publicly here in LiP if my comment made you feel that way. I am a pacific type of person. so… Maybe, for me, telling everybody that I am a Davaoeña is not such a big deal. It does not tell anything private about me, anyway. at least, i see things that way. if somebody asks me: where are you from and i say, from the philippines and the person would still ask, where in the philippines, i would just add nonchalantly: Davao and i would end the conversation as if nothing happened, not feeling like i have imparted something private about me. no hard feelings, bro! i still think you’re such a cool guy! keep it up!
Hello Carlin, As I mentioned my Brother won so I bought new Yamaha YBR125 and a Yamaha 115 sporty scooter for Merlin. Now about being careful. I do dine in the limited traffic of Leyte, espiecaly the tykes, bikes, and pedestrians of Isabel. National highway has very little traffic also. But always know your roads turns. When I picked up I had to ride, with 4 other bikes, about 60 kilometers in rain storm so hard sometimes at maximum 30 kilometers per hour it hurt.
Yesterday we had to go back to Ormoc to get Merlin tin number so she could get her license so off we went. Nice day and beautiful ride not traffic. Eased into left curve on slight down hill. It then turned into hairpin steep down hill. Maybe I was at 35 kilometers. It was too late to brake because we were already in lean so I down shifted to slow but was not enough. when I leaned more, Merlin got nervous and leaned wrong way and into the grass and down we went. Scapes and bruises for me and brusies for Merlin. Bike looked very hurt though. As it turn out very nice truck driver with flatbed took us all the way to Ormoc to drop bike off to get fixed. Bent front forks, side view mirror, and front fender. not even a mark any place esle. p2000 and tomorrow I pick up looking like new. Oh that is only hair pin on road and bangary resident watch it daily for the crashes.Coming home from Ormoc tomorrow I will ride a little slower and keep eyes on road for land marks. I did feel very embassed until I found Merlins 24 year old nepnew that has lived here all his life and riden cycle since 16 here just a few months before I arrived here did the same thing. Andyway watch those strange turns in road and happy riding.
Hola dan2vero – No, that motorcycle, amigo! Here in Philippines they calling it motorcycle! You mean other Philippine driver is also crazy? Ha ha…
Hola Daryl Lister: Sorry for jealous! Maybe you come and ride also my motorcycle with me.
Hola chasdv: Si, senor! I already have the insurance.
Hola Hudson: Ha he ha….. I saw even 8!
Nothing unusual at all, this is a recognized, licened for of commercial transport in some provinces:
http://philfaqs.com/live-there/getting-around-its-not-a-taxi-its-not-a-trike-its-a-habal-habal/
Hola Larry: Very much fun, amigo! I watch out of the bamboo! No need any injury!
Hola John: Oh, gloves very hot! Caramba! I don’t know of that, maybe I thinking of it. I try not to be falling though!
Hola Dave: Oh my God! That you driving the habal, Dave? My man! Surprise me totally. You make business on that? Kano driver should be making extra!
Hola Dave: Very very good if you drive in Zamboanga. You do the stop, I no stop on motorcycle! At least I am safe! You visit here, OK? I drive motor, you ride in back!
Hola Henry: You do it, Henry! Small motorcycle ok for you. Low pricing. Have fun. Yes.
Hola mi amigo Ronw! Very flashy bike, but I not flasher! My friend, do not think of me a flasher! If too many spicey babae (senorita) I get sidecar and then tricycle of my bike! You drive, I ride with ladies.
Hola andy: me, I 176cm I don’t know the inch. I ride comvortable.
Hola roy: Stay off from highway? Man, that is why I buy the bike! I stay on the hiway 24/7!
Junior, hola! I stay inside for the rain, maybe I check forecast first! Rain suit looks sissy! Ha ha he he
Happy riding, Junior, I just tease you! 
hello carlin
noooooooooooooooo i didnt mean your a flasher my friend hahaha.flashy bike means nice colors on the motorcycle.
your very loko my spaniard friend.salamat carlin
Hola otra vez mi amigo,
Actually, I can’t wait to get one of those myself, I love riding motorcycles, but will settle for a scooter there in the Philippines. But I am very curious to see what every one says about the way people drive there in Philippines…:)
Adios,
Danny
LOL! Not the yellow rubber ducky rainsuit my friend.
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=TUC_09-0215
Happy riding!
Junior
Yes, good buying Barry. I like prices for bike. Still no bumping too!
markua, hola: I very comfortable in Zamboanga. I love the place.
Hola RonW: Ha ha, Ronny. I just jokeing mi Amigo.
Hola mike: I see you July? Here Zamboanga you visit? I ride you on mothercycle!
Hola Amigo Danny: We riding tandem across Philippines!
Danny and Carlin, I bought a 125
Danny and Carlin, I bought a 125 Yamaha just like the one my brother bought. I went to wrong dealership and paid $200.00 less plus hemet was included. Oh he was there when I buy. Ok large Yamaha was $14,000, Merlin’s 115 scooter was $1200,00, brand new, So when when ready ket me show my screw up. hehe. Brother was so sorry he went to wrong place.I did have to ride home in very bad rain for half way, but Merlin let Nephew ride her’s and she rode with me.
Carlin, I only bought new because my brother told me people there seem to really work machine. I know I payed almost twice as much for new but for One year it is garuanteed. and service work is free. Oh I think I said Merlin rode with me, her nephew rode his and the whole famil came so on way home for 50 kilometers, we trained at about 45 kilometers an hours.
Hola Junior: OK, OK amigo!
Hello Andy,
I can’t believe you are 60 years old Andy, wow you look good..judging by the pictures I have seen of you…you look maybe in your 40’s. And if I may add..you look a lot like Jerry Seinfeld…the actor/comedian..
Take care now,
Danny
Oy Rey, Hola, amigo! I just check the Youtube of Chris (first link only). Sorry, very bad singer is Chris. Oh, my ears are sore now! Ha ha. He he. I feeling you amigo, Rey, just no listen to Chris now. Bad sing.
Danny thank you very much, and now we are going to be neighbors. I am now going to move to Isabel, Leyte. I think my brother is real close to you on ( spelling ) Birilian. I am going for my birthday the 6th of July and I we be 61. There is a God and he has been kind to me. Oh darn the avatar is 6 months old and old one also 6 months old.
Danny for the next 10 week my email is papa_andy@mchsi.com if you would like to talk. after that it is what I can get there.
Go for it Andy.
Hey Andy,
Get a yahoo email or one of those other free emails, very easy to set up, and use, and of course..free.
Take care,
Danny
ha ha ha how about 6 people 3 bags of rice and 2 baboys ..hang in there Carlin it only hurts when you fall over
..Phil n Jess
PhilR: Hola, I try no falling!
Muchas Gracias, ensueño
hola, carlin. tienes que perdonarme (es que yo, a veces, soy muy insistente) pero me me pudieras decir de donde eres exactamente? pareces ser de la tierra de Andalucia… Sevillano tal vez? es que los sevillanos son muy flamencos y lleva en la sangre “los toros, la fiesta, etc”
Hola ensueño: I not share my all details of life. Also, I already said here in previous time that please, use mostly English so other readers may understand. Please, no pry to my life. I am private person.
OK not any hard feeling. Gracias mi amiga.