Motorcycles and Scooters for sale in the Philippines

The Philippines has a large volume of motorcycles because it is used both as a passenger and as a commercial vehicle. Motorcycles account for roughly 4 million units, or half the country’s registered vehicles. The motorcycle industry in the Philippines is one of the country’s fastest growing industries. Sales in the first half of 2013 amounted to 354,393 units.

In the Philippines, motorcycles are generally used a family service vehicle, transporting one or two family members per ride. Some parents use them to transport their children to and from school while some young professionals use them to get to their workplaces.

Popular motorcycle brands

The Philippines is dominated by Japanese manufacturers Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Korean manufacturer Kymco and some manufacturers from China. In terms of function, motorcycles are categorized as cub, sport, scooter and business motorcycles. Electric bicycles and mountain electric bicycles are also available on the market.

The country is also home to a number of assembly plants who produce motorcycles mostly for local consumption, thus making these types of vehicles cheaper on the market.

Motorcycles that can be converted into tricycles, a three-wheeled vehicle with a customized passenger cabin, have been some of the most popular models in the motorcycle division and include the Kawasaki Barako, the Honda TMX and the Yamaha STX.

Scooters have also been popular modes of transport in many of the country's cities where they are used as service vehicles on short journeys. Because they are easily customizable and have underseat cargo, these small motorcycles are some of the most common vehicles on Philippine roads. Some examples include the Yamaha Mio, the Honda Wave and the Suzuki NEX.

New motorcycles in the Philippines

The price range for brand new business type motorcycles can start as low as P35,000 stretching to P70,000, with the Japanese brands demanding heftier prices. The prices of local motorcycles, however, have become more affordable as more Chinese made units have entered the market in the last few years. Some of the non-Japanese brands that are currently operating in the Philippines include Skygo, Motorstar, RUSI, Racal and SYM.

Buying a motorcycle in the Philippines has been made easier thanks to instalment plans being offered by most motorcycle dealers. Local dealers can take as little as P5,000 as a down payment with flexible payment terms starting from 6 to 36 months.

Used and redesigned motorcycles in the Philippines

Tricycles, a three-wheeled public vehicle made from attaching a makeshift passenger cargo or “side car” to a motorcycle, is a popular form of public transport in the countryside, suburbs and subdivisions. The regular trikes can carry up to four passengers with enough space on the back for additional cargo.

Other modified motorcycles include the habal-habal, which consists of a wooden plank attached to a motorcycle that can seat more than two people or carry additional cargo. There is also a large selection of used motorcycles being sold by individual owners mostly for business purposes.