Motorcycles
MDPPA maps routes around busy school zones
Motorcycle riders looking to avoid heavy traffic near Metro Manila schools now have a new route guide from the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association.
The MDPPA Tropang MAALAM Traffic Guide covers 11 school-zone congestion hotspots identified by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. It also suggests alternative roads that riders may use during the morning and afternoon rush.
Along Katipunan Avenue, riders passing Ateneo de Manila University, Miriam College and UP Diliman may take Aurora Boulevard or C.P. Garcia Avenue. These roads offer connections toward Balara, Commonwealth Avenue and other parts of Quezon City.
Those crossing the Greenhills school cluster along Ortigas Avenue may use Wilson Street, Annapolis Street, Eisenhower Street or Club Filipino Avenue. The area includes La Salle Green Hills, Xavier School, Immaculate Conception Academy and Poveda.
Several routes are also available around Manila’s major university districts. Riders may use Osmeña Highway, Roxas Boulevard, San Andres Street or Leon Guinto Street to avoid the Taft Avenue school zone.
Ayala Boulevard and Kalaw Avenue provide other options around Intramuros, while Lacson Avenue, Dapitan Street, Recto Avenue and the Dapitan-Fugoso corridor can help riders get around the University Belt.
Near the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, the guide recommends Valenzuela Street, P. Sanchez Street and Old Sta. Mesa Street. These roads provide connections toward Nagtahan, Mandaluyong and nearby districts.
The guide also covers school zones in Batasan Hills, Pasig, Cubao and Valenzuela. Suggested routes include IBP Road around the Batasan complex, Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue near Rizal High School and P. Tuazon Boulevard around the Cubao school hub.
Riders passing the Valenzuela school strip may consider MacArthur Highway, Mindanao Avenue, Canumay Road or General T. De Leon Road, depending on their destination.
Road conditions and traffic rules may change, so riders should still follow signs, local restrictions and directions from traffic personnel.
Tropang MAALAM stands for Tropang Modelo, Alerto, Aktibo, Ligtas, Aalalay, at Matalino. The campaign promotes safer riding through education, awareness and training. MDPPA members include Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha.
Honda Philippines has expanded its popular automatic scooter range with the Click125 Smart Edition White, a limited-edition model restricted to 20,000 units nationwide.
Finished in Pearl Arctic White, the new variant commemorates Honda’s 10-millionth motorcycle production milestone in the Philippines. It will be sold through Honda Exclusive Shops across the country, although the company has yet to announce its price and retail date.
The white bodywork gives the Click125 a cleaner appearance while retaining the sharp lines and sporty styling of the current model. It also comes with an all-LED lighting system, which covers the headlight, position lamps, turn signals and taillight.
Power comes from a 125cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected eSP engine designed for daily urban travel. Honda claims a fuel consumption rating of 50.3 kilometers per liter based on the World Motorcycle Test Cycle.
The scooter retains the equipment offered in the Click125 Smart Edition. A full digital instrument panel displays essential riding information, while the Honda Smart Key System lets the rider start and operate the motorcycle without inserting a conventional key.
Storage is provided by an 18-liter compartment under the seat, which can accommodate personal items used during daily trips. A USB-C charging port also lets riders power compatible mobile devices while traveling.
The Idling Stop System automatically switches off the engine during brief stops to reduce unnecessary fuel use. The engine restarts when the rider turns the throttle.
Honda introduced the limited model as another choice for riders who want the Click125’s familiar performance and practical features with a more distinctive finish.
The Click125 has become one of Honda’s key automatic scooter models in the Philippines, where it is widely used for commuting and other daily trips.
With only 20,000 units allocated, the Pearl Arctic White edition adds an element of exclusivity to the lineup while marking a major manufacturing milestone for Honda Philippines.
VinFast equips the Evo, Feliz II and Viper with IP67-rated motors and controllers that add protection against dust, rain and temporary water immersion.
VinFast has equipped the powertrains of its Evo, Feliz II and Viper electric motorcycles with IP67-rated protection against dust and water.
The three models entered the Philippine market on 31 July as VinFast expanded from electric cars into two-wheel mobility. Their protected electrical components are aimed at riders who regularly encounter heavy rain, standing water and wet streets during the monsoon season.
The IP67 rating applies to the motor and motor control unit, which are two major parts of the electric powertrain. The first digit indicates complete protection against dust, while the second covers temporary water immersion under specified test conditions.
VinFast said its internal tests subjected the components to 0.5 meter of water for 30 minutes. The company also tested the motorcycles while they travelled through water at the same depth for 30 minutes.
The rating can reduce the risk of water damage from rain, splashes or an unexpected flooded section. However, it does not make the motorcycles suitable for unrestricted flood crossings. Riders should still avoid moving water, submerged obstacles and areas where the depth cannot be determined.
VinFast also developed the removable lithium iron phosphate batteries to meet European ECE-R136 safety requirements for electric two-wheelers. The batteries have impact, overvoltage and overtemperature protection.
Additional durability work included a 500-hour salt spray test to assess corrosion resistance in humid and harsh conditions. VinFast said the batteries also completed internal testing at temperatures of up to 80 degrees Celsius.
The Evo, Feliz II and Viper can carry one or two removable 1.5-kWh batteries. With two batteries fitted, the Evo produces up to 5,200 watts, reaches a top speed of 80 kph and delivers a claimed range of up to 150 kilometers.
The Feliz II has the same maximum output but raises the top speed to 90 kph. Its advertised range reaches 145 kilometers. The Viper matches those figures and adds a TFT instrument display, smart key, anti-theft system and vehicle tracking.
VinFast offers a standard warranty of four years or 60,000 kilometers for the motorcycles and purchased batteries. Qualified customers may receive an additional two years or 12,000 kilometers, which raises the total coverage to as much as six years or 72,000 kilometers. Subscribed batteries are covered throughout the subscription period.
The company opened 21 e-motorcycle dealerships during the Philippine launch and plans to add more locations. It is also developing a battery-swapping network for riders who prefer replacing a depleted battery instead of waiting for it to recharge.
VinFast estimates that its electric motorcycles could cost 17 to 28 percent less to own over five years than comparable gasoline-powered models. Actual savings will depend on the motorcycle, battery arrangement, electricity cost and riding distance.
Maxim has started operations in Ormoc City, giving residents another app-based option for car trips, tricycle bookings and deliveries.
The Maxim app now lists four-seater and six-seater car services, Trike and Bike Delivery in the city. Starting fares are P45 for four-seater cars, P55 for six-seater vehicles and P10 for Bike Delivery and Trike services.
The platform is also looking for local driver-partners as it builds its operations in Ormoc. Maxim said its commission ranges from 15 to 18 percent, depending on the terms of cooperation. New driver-partners begin with a zero-percent commission, which gives them time to get used to the app and assess the service.
Donald Maing, head of Maxim Ormoc, said the service is intended to give residents a more affordable way to travel and send items.
“We are excited to bring Maxim’s services to Ormoc and provide residents with an affordable, reliable and convenient way to travel and send items,” Maing said. “We also look forward to welcoming more local driver-partners to the platform as we help meet the community’s growing transportation and delivery needs.”
Customers can download the Maxim app on Android and iOS devices to book the available services.
Maxim began operating in the Philippines in 2020, starting in Cebu. The company said its services have since expanded to more Philippine cities, where it provides delivery and pre-arranged car transport services.
In Metro Manila and Cagayan de Oro, Maxim is also part of a pilot program for motorcycle passenger transport. Its expansion in Ormoc adds another local market to its Philippine network while opening earning opportunities for drivers who want to join the platform.
