Gear Feature: Streem Open Face Motorcycle Helmets by SMK

Motorcycle taxis in the Philippines have been given the go-signal to operate again. However, passengers now need to bring their own helmets. In the past motorcycle taxis would provide helmets for passengers. But with the ongoing threat of COVID, passengers who want to back ride need to provide their own helmets for health reasons.

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Review: The New Honda BeAT Street

The Honda BeAT is one of Honda’s most popular scooter models in the Philippines. This line continually gets upgraded with advanced features and technology with each new model. The 110 cc scooter aims to be stylish, modern, and accessible to everyone. With its low-seat height, distinct urban vibe and reliable performance, the Honda Beat will appeal mostly to the younger riding demographic as well as the business segment.

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Review: Retro El Dorado Motorcycle Helmets by SMK

More Filipinos, including women, are driving personal motorcycles these days. In the past, I’ve always found it hard to find stylish and safe motorcycle gear like helmets that fit properly. Thankfully, more brands are coming into the country and giving riders different options to match their riding style and personality. If you’re a motorcycle rider, OBR, or a commuter who regularly uses motorcycle taxis looking for a lid that combines style and safety for city riding, then feast your eyes on the retro-inspired Eldorado helmets by SMK Helmets.

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Gear News: GIVI launches “Antartica” Top Case

GIVI, the world’s premier motorcycle accessories manufacturer, recently launched a new top box boasting of revolutionary design and enhanced visibility on the road.

In terms of looks, the top case sports an attractive new design without compromising safety. The polygon exterior of the case is equipped with reflective prismatic elements on each front corner. These elements present a bold façade that aims to enhance the rider’s visibility on the road for added safety.

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How to Ride Safely amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

The government recently relaxed the community quarantine guidelines, which gradually reopens up the economy. Thousands of workers are finally allowed to go to their offices, provided they follow strict health and safety protocols. Although public transport will be operational, there are lots of limitations to ensure social distancing among passengers.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), the resumption of public transport systems will be done in two phases, says the Department of Transportation (DoTR).

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Gear Guide: Choosing a Motorcycle Helmet

If you’re planning to drive a motorcycle or regularly back ride as a passenger, the most basic piece of safety equipment you need is a proper helmet. Since motorcycles don’t provide the structural protection that a car does to keep drivers safe in the event of accidents, riders need to take extra precautions to protect their body, especially their head – and that’s where helmets come in.

A lot of shops in the Philippines sell motorcycle helmets designed for guys. As a female rider, I’ve personally had a hard time finding a helmet that fits me. While I’ve used a few different helmets over the years, the best-fitting ones for me so far have been the ones from LS2 Helmets Philippines.

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First-Timers Guide to Buying a Motorcycle in the Philippines

So you’re looking to buy your first motorcycle but don’t know where to start. There are just so many motorcycle models and brands out there that it can feel pretty intimidating just browsing online or going to a shop to inquire about a motorcycle when you’ve never owned one before. I know how overwhelming it can be to look at a spec sheet and have no idea what all the numbers mean.

While I’m not really into the technical side of motorcycling, I think I can speak from experience. Together, my husband and I have bought 5 motorcycles: a Kawasaki Eliminator, Yamaha Mio Fino, Royal Enfield Classic 350, Suzuki Thunder (custom), and Kymco Like 150. I also rent motorbikes and scooters a lot when I travel and have had the chance to do test rides on various units for ride reviews.

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10 Beginner-Friendly Scooters available in the Philippines

NOTE: This article was originally written in 2020 and motorcycle prices may have changed since then.

With social distancing considered the “new normal” everywhere in public transport, lines and queues are longer on the MRT, buses, and jeepneys. Because of this, many are probably thinking of buying a motorcycle to make their daily commute easier.

Many first-time riders, however, don’t know what kind of bike they need and are intimidated by the choices. For beginners, nothing beats the simplicity of scooters. With these bikes, you just turn the key, twist the throttle and go. No need to fumble with a clutch to switch speeds.

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7 Video Games that Will Inspire you to Travel

I’ve always felt like traveling is like playing an open-world video game. But instead of being guided by some main storyline or quest list, you get to choose your own adventure, save up resources so you can go to the parts of the world you want to explore, try to visit as many places as possible by breezing through or stay longer so you can explore each place ore thoroughly. Every person has their own style of gaming and traveling, and that’s ok. But going on these virtual adventures can sometimes inspire you to look for real-world equivalents.

Pretty much every action-adventure or role-playing game (RPG) game I’ve played has inspired me to travel from Legend of Legaia and Spyro to Diablo and The Last of Us. But if I had to pick just a few, these are those that really stood out and inspired me to travel and embark on personal travel quests in real life. If you’re stuck at home, here are some video games you can play to get a travel fix.

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5 Iconic Motorcycles in Video Games

It looks like it might be a while before most of us can get any real riding given the world’s state. The best thing I can do right now is turn on my console and pretend I am. For those who don’t know, aside from traveling, I like playing video games, so I’ll be catching up on some of my gaming-related content while staying indoors.

Since I started riding, I’ve always been inspired by video games for travel and exploration. In fact, my own custom motorcycle Fenrir was inspired by the video game Final Fantasy VII.

With Fenrir, my Final Fantasy-inspired custom bike
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