We dropped by the widely successful Makina Moto Show (held last April 26 to 28) and weaved through the packed SMX Convention Center to check out the bikes, gear and accessories on display. We were excited to see a more diverse line-up of electric bikes, a wider array of tourers and new colorways of our favorite helmets.
The silent revolution
Looks like more options for those who want to go electric. From Gogoro’s new Pulse and the recently launched Segway electric scoots to CF Moto’s ZEEHO AE2 and AE6 and BMW’s first ever CE02, there is a plethora of options to help two-wheeled fans save on fuel and reduce their carbon footprint. The batteries on these new e-bikes are better, too. The entry-level Segwey N100 (PhP109,000) for instance, can last 105km–that’s Makati to Nasugbu–while the uber-cool eParkour (PhP595,000) from BMW can take you about 95km on a single charge. Neither a scooter or a motorcycle, BMW’s light, electric-powered piece of street art is aimed largely at urban commuters. We’ve gotta be honest, the price tag is a bit too steep for what it is, but it’s really pretty and looks like a whole lotta fun.
Born to tour
When Suzuki’s widely popular sport tourer, the GSX S1000 GT was launched locally, we eagerly awaited the release of its updated brother, the S1000 GX (PhP969,000). Seeing it in the metal last weekend didn’t disappoint, with its mean-looking fascia, stacked headlights and lovely blue and silver colorway. It’s also got Suzuki’s first-ever electronic suspension. Other bikes that we would definitely love to take on the (long) road with us include the new Harley Davidson Street and Road Glides, of course. The marque’s iconic baggers are now powered by Harley’s new Milwaukee-Eight 1,923cc V-twin engine, giving both bikes a three percent increase in horsepower. Not to be left behind, BMW Motorrad also had their latest GS R1300 on display that weekend. The well-loved adventure-tourer sports a flat-twin boxer engine, but with an increase in displacement from its predecessor (1,254 to 1,300cc).
New lids in the house
Shoei has always been synonymous with exquisite Japanese craftsmanship, safety and comfort. There’s a reason they’re pricier than most helmets: each lid is still handcrafted in Japan, with the Shoei team following a rigorous R&D process that ensures each new model vastly improves from their predecessors. Which is why we were jumping for joy at the sight of the new colorways of the much-lauded X-Fifteen (PhP36,990) at the Motomarket booth during the Makina Moto Show. With better ventilation than the X-Fourteen, the new ‘Fifteens also feature improved aerodynamics and increased field of vision, making it one of the best lids to take on the track. It even has a mechanism for mounting hydration components onto the helmet. Perfect for this scorching summer heat.
As expected, the last day of the Makina Moto Show was jampacked, with guests checking out and sitting on the bikes (hats off to CF Moto’s much-awaited 450MT, which endured the bums of hundreds, maybe thousands, of motorcycle fans the entire three days).
It was a thrill to also see a preview of the custom bikes ready to compete in the 2024 Motobuilds Pilipinas, happening in June. Each year, Makina Moto Show has proven that it isn’t just a showcase but a glimpse into the future of motoring. Until the next one, ride on and ride safe—there’s a whole world out there, waiting to be explored on two wheels.
