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Having a Motorbike in the Philippines, in my case, a "Chinese one" -Experiences-

Discussion in 'Life in the Philippines' started by guenther, Apr 6, 2012.

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  1. Jim
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    Jim Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Buying second hand cars in the Phils is not a good idea, they don't look after them at all, run them into the ground then get rid.

    Better to buy a new one, that's what I intend to do, once i eventually live there.

    One can buy a brand new Suzuki van, that come in kit form from Japan, then assembled in the Phills, very cheep.
    Jim, Apr 9, 2012
    #21
  2. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Jim 'cheap' for me would be like UK cheap, second hand cheap, once upon a time I had serious resources at my command now I have next to nothing, new anything over there is well over 5000 pounds from every Philippine price list I ever looked at and I simply don't have the money now and the only time I am likely to have that much cash (when I am much older) I will be looking to invest in a home.

    Some time ago I moved from the 'brand new off the shelf' economy to the 'ebay' economy :) I find for the most part I get great results in IT kit and electronics in general but bigger things like cars are be a bit scary on ebay, the problem for me is that the Philippine second hand market is horribly underdeveloped you simply can't buy second hand stuff at UK equivalent knockdown price, ebay while it exists is a tiny shadow of itself over here and the other second hand markets and transactions are potentially dangerous for a westerner, this is true of ebay transactions there as well.

    You are dead right about cars though they don't look after them but they still think a tiny mileage abused car is worth money, a 15 year old Civic over there costs 2 grand UK, I mean what the hell? Our neighbour parks his Civic right outside our front Window in Manila and I would not offer more than 25,000 peso for it in the UK, nice condition as well (and it's the pretty one from the 90's) but no way I would spend that much money on it, this is precisely what would drive me down the road of buying a bike, looking to get 'new' reliability and my own control over the servicing.
    oss, Apr 9, 2012
    #22
  3. Jim
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    Jim Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Each to their own oss, I can't and won't ride bike's, not even in Britain. So I have two options. 1 public transport, tried that
    and Its limited for I will live out in the country side, and no taxes, only small easy-riders van like Suzuki lol and they finish at night. Option two... buy a cheap van. Imported from Japan. I also can't afford a shiny brand new flash SUV.
    Jim, Apr 9, 2012
    #23
  4. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Yeah mate each to their own, I agree.

    My ideal would also be to get a good condition van type vehicle but I would need a price around 60,000 peso and for the most part they simply don't exist, unless you happen to meet the right family in distress :(

    Real world though that is unlikely and a bike becomes part of my options, it would still be an option if I managed to get a proper professional job in Makati, even IT Project Managers in Makati are only earning about a million peso a year, about 16 grand and then they have 30% tax on that, so transport costs would have to be minimised.

    Call centre jobs exist for westerners at around 60,000 a month (that's the absolute top end, locals rarely earn anything near that much) and that would be one of my other options but I suffer from an occasional stammer particularly on the phone so not very likely I would hold down that particular job :D
    oss, Apr 9, 2012
    #24
  5. walesrob
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    walesrob Administrator Staff Member

    We bought one of those Suzuki-type vans for Nanay and Tatay to use for running the family around evenings and weekends and as a multi-cab during the day. It cost 90K to buy, seems ok mechanically, plenty around, so spare parts in abundance. Only problem we've had these little vans have little wheels which don't take too kindly to being thrashed on the roads in Tacloban. To date, we must have got through many tyres and probably a few sets of wheels. If you do buy one of these 'multi-cabs' as they are called, get everything in writing from the dealership, they have a knack of piling on the charges for this, that and the other, not to mention the hassle of getting a route licence with the LTO if you plan on hiring it out on routes as a bus service.
    walesrob, Apr 9, 2012
    #25
  6. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Ah ok guys,was not aware they were that cheap, I will look into that! :like:
    oss, Apr 9, 2012
    #26
  7. Jim
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    Jim Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Also, you can get the 4x4 type for a few thousand peso's more. a bit more rugged and bad road friendlier.
    Jim, Apr 10, 2012
    #27
  8. redbricks
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    redbricks Guest

    the suzuki type van sounds just the thing , iv seen the cost of old cars as u guys have said a lot of money for a old car not good
    redbricks, Apr 10, 2012
    #28
  9. guenther
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    guenther Member

    Wow, that thraed really draw some attention. Nice.

    As expeceted. mixed feelings about motorbikes in general. Understandibly and i have to recommend again with uttermost enthusiasm;
    1.) 2 wheels are NOT for beginners. for a 16 year old with "rubber bones" maybe, but not for us old lads, our bones will break and that's nasty. So "non-ever" motorbikes should really stay away.

    2.) Even though my last motorbikes in germany were in the 100hp and above category, i do not miss any safety or fun with my now "beginner type", as we often call small engined motorcycles in Europe. In fact, i prefer the active security and lightweight handling of it. three or four times i was able to save the slipping bike ( due to oil and sand on the road ) bike by "foot aid", an undertaking most likely unsucessful with a quarter ton motorbike.

    3.) Anyhow, as pointed out, one doesn't need all that power in the Philippines, easy handling and economy is better.

    I smiled when i saw the 125 CB photos, apparently its the same engine as in my Bike, with a few cc more. But its very identical. means also reliable, as i think they build those since 30 years or so.

    Someones else wrote, that one does not need a car... very very true in cities or towns with good public tranport, i had several and they costs me about php 1000,- to php 3000,- monthly, not counting the depreciation of the value or the initial capital cost. A very good car costs a million php, put that in a bank and you earn at least 6 % moderately, up to 17 % on T-bills, thats how many Php monthly, figure it out, and you can certainly have a Taxi driver on standby for that amount !
    Same applies to the UK actually, lol. I had my DL taken away for a year in Germany and rode public transport/bicycle. Saved me about 10k Euro !!! And i used lots of Taxis at night !

    However, thats another topic. ;)
    guenther, Apr 13, 2012
    #29
  10. redbricks
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    redbricks Guest

    so with cars or bike in pphil do you get road tax and iinsurance as here in uk or ?, also in phil you have to have a bike of 400 cc to go on the express way, last time i was there i think petrol was about 53 peso per liter , so its a bit cheaper but not that mutch as u would think , most pop cars in phil seem to be toyota,
    redbricks, May 14, 2012
    #30
  11. guenther
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    guenther Member

    Small update:

    had my 15k service done myself just Today. replaced throttle cbale ( again, seems its a headache, but costs only 106 phph)a newsparker and 800cc oil.
    Washed the chain and oiled it again.

    My muffler has a little corrosion hole on the bottom, but it actually sounds betterso i might leave it.. 9 No, i am not oneof those idiots with open pipes, its still decent )

    Nothing else to do anymore and i looked intense.

    I think its safe to say, that after the initial mounting and replacing butter/cheese screws phase of a china bike its just like any other one...

    So its still happy riding after one year.
    guenther, May 19, 2012
    #31
  12. Januarius
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    Januarius Member

    You get about 100k of third party insurance when you re register..
    Agreed... Second hand motors are costly but thats good as you can usually sell it on without losing too much.. Cars here hold value very well.

    I try not to use bikes much here.. Seen too many accidents,deaths, blood,guts and peoples teeth on the roads..
    Its not even much advantage being an experienced rider with the dangers that the presence of local riders and drivers provide..(whether they are drunk or sober)
    Just my view.
    Last edited: May 20, 2012
    Januarius, May 20, 2012
    #32
  13. guenther
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    guenther Member

    MAJOR update on my "Chinese bike" :

    Had 20.000km down now and some noise came out of the engine.

    Side Clutch bearing, costs 450php and fixed for150php labor ( I watched ,3 hours work, including a major engine clean and fine tune, which i thought was a good occasion )
    According to my ( honest ) mechanic,who has loads of experience with "Skygo" Honda engines, it was a singular "freak" occurence, the Honda License engines usually last without flaws.

    Note-most motorbike engines here break down because the owners don't care about filling the motoroil,checking the valves and change the camshaft belts. Even when they use it as Tricycle !
    guenther, Aug 24, 2012
    #33
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