Sadly, the cost of driving a car is choking our wallets to coma. While we stand helpless amid the never-ending surge of gasoline prices, we can only devise practical ways to save on fuel to make our hard earned pesos last longer.
Or we can switch to a motorcycle!
Not everybody rides a motorcycle specifically for enjoyment. A lot of people in the Philippines are realizing motorcycles make incredibly practical transportation, especially in crowded cities. Not only do they cost astronomically cheaper than regular-sized sedans, their fuel consumptions are insanely lower than cars. The price of a regular brand new 125cc motorcycle costs around P70,000 and can take you to a long stretch of 44 kilometers in just a liter of gasoline!
The savings on parking are also incredible. You can always find all kinds of places to park for free. Pull them up on the sidewalk or park them under trees. Motorcycle parking is almost always available close by.
Keep in mind, though, that when deciding to buy a motorcycle, your priorities are also going to have to be different than they would be with a car.
So, before making the big jump from car to motorcycle, here are 5 important things you should know first.
1. Riding a motorcycle is a very different experience than driving a car.
Both a motorcycle and a car require you to learn generally at least ten hours of theory and ten hours of driving. In learning to motorbike, you basically need to learn new controls and rethink driving lines, parking and such. To go from cars to bikes, you need to learn some theory on the differences of handling and physics, as well as learn a completely new way of thinking and doing. In motorcycles, you just can't go too fast, fail to notice gravel in the corner, tip and slide onto oncoming traffic side. It's serious trouble (and injuries) if you do. Remember, a car has multiplied grip on the road and cage full of safety features where the risk of understeering is much smaller. A motorcycle does not. In motorcycles, you simply are not allowed to fall asleep at the wheel.
2. You have to add a restriction code on your driver's license.
Here in the Philippines, you just can't jump on a motorcycle and ride all you want. You need to upgrade your driver's license by adding restriction code number '1' into it. Restriction code '1' means that the authorities are allowing you to ride a motorcycle on public roads. Hefty fines, sometimes coupled with one month imprisonment awaits you when you attempt to ride your motorbike without the required '1' code printed on your license. How to include restriction code '1' on your driver's license? Proceed at any Land Transportation Office (LTO) branch and apply for it. If you're already a holder of a regular driver's license, you will only need to pay an application fee of P100 to take an actual driving test around their race track. When you pass the test, pay an additional P100 from the normal renewal fee (P653 + P100 = P753) so they can add restriction code '1' on your license. For first time drivers, you first have to secure a student's license, then upgrade it to a non-professional driver's license after a month. Be sure you're at least 17 years old, have a medical certificate to show you are physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle, must be able to read and write in Filipino or English, and must not be a drug user and/or alcoholic.
3. Wear the proper gear when riding.
Riding in full gear is the safest choice, and experts always recommend it. Part of riding is knowing yourself and assessing the risks you’re willing to take. Here is a list of items you have to consider wearing when riding a motorbike.
a.) A full face helmet with a DOT-approved sticker affixed prominently on the back. Some riders also wear masks underneath their helmets to protect their facial skin from harmful UV rays.
b.) Motorcycle-specific jacket for purposes of both safety and comfort, and can withstand windblasts or crashes.
c.) A pair of pants, usually jeans, but preferably those that are equipped with armor in the hips, shins and knees.
d.) A pair of boots to protect feet and ankles, and resistant to slippery, uneven, unpredictable surfaces.
e.) Motorcycle gloves to fully cover fingers, palm, the back of hands and wrists. There should be significant overlap between glove and jacket so that no skin will be exposed between the two.
f.) Body armors such as back protector and joints (elbow, knee, shin, ankle) armors.
g.) Raincoats for inclement weather.
h.) Extra storage equipment for transporting a few things.
4. Motorcycle riders are more likely to be pulled over by cops.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been conducting satellite checkpoints, known as Oplan Sita, in all corners of the country. Their main objective is to flag down motorcycles, specially those with back-riders, and not cars. This is for purposes of catching riding in tandem criminals, drug couriers and gun for hires. It is a harmless checkpoint procedure unless you're in a hurry catching appointments. For this reason, it is advised that you carry yourself a valid driver's license bearing restriction code '1' and your motorcycle documents such as Original Receipt of registration, Certificate of Registration and insurance policy, to avoid delay and traffic violation fines.
5. Motorcycle riders enrage car drivers.
Car drivers often complain about a few habits of some motorcycle riders:
a.) Filtering to the front of a traffic jam or filtering to the front of traffic lights. It’s what motorbikes are good at. The reason why car drivers are enraged about this is still unclear.
b.) Passing in between cars. Riders tend to get much closer before overtaking, usually slap bang in the car's side mirrors and fenders. It’s why car drivers usually dive out of the way as motorbikes approach from behind. It’s not out of politeness, it’s out of irritation.
c.) Make lots of noise. Loud pipes can save lives - if they can't see you, at least they can hear you. But some riders attach mufflers too loud for comfort they can distract car drivers into getting into accidents.
There are merits when you finally switch from driving a car to riding a motorcycle. From playing an important role in a wider game of reducing traffic and pollution to helping conserve on fuel and energy. But without the protective metal-and-glass bubble that shields drivers, a motorcycle rider is more vulnerable, thus needs to be more careful compared to their four-wheeled counterparts.
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