Motolite showcases Filipino ingenuity in Moto-Art custom bike

Motolite, the country’s leading automotive battery brand, recently unveiled its Moto-Art custom bike, an old Honda XRM motorcycle refurbished by Hardcore Brothers into a fully functional show and performance bike. First displayed at the Cebu motorcycle convention last March, the Motolite Moto-Art bike will be showcased in upcoming motorcycle events.

Starting out with a vintage Honda XRM 110cc, the Motolite Moto-Art bike was transformed into a shiny chrome beauty in a tribute to the great Japanese motorcycle builder/designer Chicara. To preserve the integrity of Honda motorcycle technology, the original 110cc engine was retained with stock Honda XRM parts used for the cases, heads, cylinders, carburetors and transmission. Stock Honda XRM parts were also used for the forks and foot controls, as well as the front and rear brakes.

To implement the creative vision, Hardcore Brothers took apart the rest of the bike and introduced a lot of modifications. The chassis was altered into a more rigid form, with wider 110/70/17 front and 120/80/17 rear tires. All electrical components were hidden and embedded into the frame for a clean, fluid look. The swing arm was extended four inches out. Buell triple trees were installed with an additional 5-degrees out to produce a longer rake on which a reversed handle bar was set up to create a look reminiscent of the café racer era. The solo saddle with bicycle springs as well as the kick starter were fabricated for an old-school look, while all-over chrome finishing gave the Motolite Moto-Art its distinctive flashy finish.

Taking almost two months to complete, the final specifications of the Motolite Moto-Art bike include the following Hardcore Brothers custom parts: air cleaner, gas tank, frame, seat and handle bars. It also features a Mity Mike exhaust, Drag Specialties “ET Dual” headlights, Japan LED taillight, and Buell trees.

According to Motolite product manager Melissa Valdez, “Our objective in this customization was to showcase ingenuity and innovation in transforming something ordinary into a work of art, while at the same time showing how our Motolite motorcycle battery is at the heart of the motorcycle’s engine and accessories. We are very proud of out Motolite Moto-Art custom bike because it is not only a thing of beauty, it is also a roadworthy performance bike which you can ride all over the Philippines.”

Boasting of the latest advances in motorcycle battery technology, Motolite provides the growing number of motorcyclists in the country with safe, reliable and long-lasting batteries. Motolite’s 12-volt motorcycle batteries have been infused with Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Technology for greater fluid retention and longer life. AGM technology also makes the batteries more versatile, as they can now be installed at any angle required by the make and model of the motorcycle – even upside down if needed.

Motolite batteries are manufactured by Philippine Batteries, Inc. (PBI), the largest manufacturer, exporter and distributor of automotive, motorcycle and industrial battery products and solutions in the Philippines. Its fully integrated facility in Sta. Maria, Bulacan, is one of the largest and most modern battery manufacturing facilities in Southeast Asia. It also has the country’s only ISO 14001-certified, environmentally-compliant recycling facility, the second biggest in Asia.



Moto-Art,Motolite,Hardcore BrothersMoto-Art,Motolite,Hardcore Brothers
Moto-Art,Motolite,Hardcore BrothersMoto-Art,Motolite,Hardcore Brothers

Suzuki Thunder 125 sets trend for backbone city-sports bike

Introduced in mid 2009 in the Philippines, the Suzuki Thunder 125 has shaken up the local motorcycle scene by carving out a new niche as a backbone city-sports bike. This trendsetter combines the sportiness of a street bike with the durability and comfort of a backbone motorcycle.

In motorcycle markets all over Asia, backbone recreation models and sporty street bikes are the hottest and latest trends, and Suzuki has positioned the Suzuki Thunder to be a strategic, class-leading model for the regional market. Top-of-the-line features, sporty styling in a backbone chassis, and a high-torque 125cc engine all combine to make the Suzuki Thunder into the epitome of a backbone city-sports bike.

“A small bike with a big bike feel” is how enthusiasts describe the Suzuki Thunder, whose target market is experienced male riders in their mid-30s who wish to level-up their daily ride. With its relatively larger size, this street bike is best-suited to mature riders who are capable of handling the Suzuki Thunder.

Powered by a 125cc engine, the Suzuki Thunder has a well-balanced combination of torque and power, while environment-friendly and fuel-efficient performance are delivered by its patented PAIR (pulsed secondary air injection) system. The backbone set-up ensures not only comfortable riding position but also optimum handling stability and maneuverability.

Giving the Suzuki Thunder that extra edge are superlative features such as integrated lower engine cowling, dynamic speedometer with gear indicator, lightweight alloy wheels, sporty muffler, electric/kick starter, and dependable front disc brake. The Suzuki Thunder is the perfect machine for city streets, where riding is an everyday adventure for motorcycle users in the urban setting.

Through its SAFE campaign, Suzuki is promoting a motorcycle lifestyle which is Safe, Active, Fashionable, and Easy-to-use. Committed to brining mobility to Filipino consumers, Suzuki Philippines hopes to contribute to the country’s progress and industrialization by introducing dynamic products and programs that harness the power of Suzuki’s exciting Way of Life.



Give your graduate the gift of mobility with the Suzuki Alto or the Suzuki Celerio

It seems like the years have simply flown by and your baby is about to don graduation robes, marking the start of a new life-stage. He is now ready to face a more challenging world, whether he is going on to university, or looking to start his career as a young professional. And what better way to show your pride in his achievement by giving him the gift of mobility?

Combining world class design sensibilities with Suzuki’s vaunted compact car expertise, the Suzuki Alto and Suzuki Celerio are stylish urban vehicles that deliver excellent performance and reliability. University students and young professionals on a tight budget will be pleased with these sub-compacts’ performance as certified gas misers. In the Department of Energy’s annual Fuel Economy Run, a Suzuki Alto posted the best record in 2008 with 34-kilometers per liter. In 2009, a manual transmission Suzuki Celerio surpassed this feat, setting the best fuel consumption record at 34.34-km per liter.

Suzuki Alto: Best-Priced Starter Car

One of the most popular compact cars worldwide, the Suzuki Alto is recognized for its fuel efficiency, stability and affordability. It is powered by a sophisticated 796cc, 32-bit computer-controlled three-cylinder, 12-valve engine that delivers maximum output of 47hp at 6,200rpm and maximum torque of 62Nm at 3,000rpm. Its compact dimensions make the Suzuki Alto an extremely nimble and agile vehicle, with its small 4.6m turning radius giving it a definite advantage in tight parking spaces.

Comfortably seating four adults, the Suzuki Alto can be handily converted to carry small cargo through its 50-50 fold-down rear seats. Safety features are not compromised, with 3-point ELR seatbelts, third brake light, side impact beams and childproof rear door locks.

Available in two variants, the Suzuki Alto Deluxe and Suzuki Alto Standard sport a 5-speed manual transmission, McPherson strut with anti-roll bar on the front suspension and 3-link rigid suspension with coil spring on the rear, as well as front ventilated disc brakes and leading/trailing drum rear brakes. Designed for durability, these features allow the Suzuki Alto to deliver solid and reliable driving performance on Philippine road conditions.

Thoughtful amenities include an in-dash CD MP3 audio system, powerful airconditioning, a headlamp leveling device, front cupholders, and a cargo cover. Exterior features include multi-reflector halogen headlamps, multi-reflector taillights, and rear wiper-washer. The Suzuki Alto Deluxe variant also has electronic power steering, front power windows, power door locks, and color-keyed bumpers.

Possibly the most affordable Japanese sub-compact in the Philippine car market, the Suzuki Alto Deluxe and Standard come in superior white, dazzling red, and silky silver metallic. The Suzuki Alto Deluxe is priced at P408,000 and the Suzuki Alto Standard is priced at P369,000.

Suzuki Celerio : Couture Urban Vehicle

For the trendy young urbanite, the Suzuki Celerio is a couture compact car sporting a newly-developed 996cc K10B engine that delivers maximum output of 68hp at 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 90Nm at 4,800rpm, definitely enough power to safely zip through metro streets in style. A multipoint injection system to the lightweight aluminum engine ensures both fuel economy and low CO2 emissions.

Extensive road testing in Europe during its development phase resulted in coil springs and dampers tuned for optimum handling stability. Your graduate will surely enjoy the Suzuki Celerio driving experience, which is characterized by linear response, gentle roll movements, light steering feel, and good shock/vibration absorption. A 0.3 drag coefficient is the result of excellent aerodynamics, contributing to its excellent fuel efficiency.

Parents can take comfort in the assurance that despite its compact proportions, the Suzuki Celerio was designed with ultimate passenger safety in mind. Using Suzuki's Total Effective Control Technology (TECT), a strong cabin structure absorbs and disperses impact energy for a high-level of occupant safety. Dual front airbags and energy-absorbing materials provide further protection.

The Suzuki Celerio is also equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) with Brake Assist (BA). A tailgate-mounted high-mount stop lamp, 3-point ELR seatbelts for both front and rear seats, complete its safety features.

Enhancing the Suzuki Celerio's value proposition is a host of practical features. Electronic power steering, power door locks, front power windows, and keyless entry system are some of the convenience features. Audiophiles will appreciate the integrated audio system with MP3 capability auxiliary input and 6-speakers. Built-in front foglamps and 14" wheels with full wheel cap add to its sporty and stylish package.

More value-added features include a functional instrument panel that incorporates a dash-mounted tachometer and digital trip meter. A host of storage spaces such as front cup holders and rear door bottle holders, front/rear door pockets accommodate all the necessary driving gear. When needed, the rear seats fold down for additional luggage space.

Not common among one-liter cars, the Suzuki Celerio has a 4-speed automatic transmission variant, in addition to the 5-speed manual transmission model. Trendy color choices are sure to appeal to your graduate’s upbeat mood, with the following options: arctic white pearl metallic, silky silver metallic, desert brown metallic, fortune rose pearl metallic, and paradise blue pearl metallic.

For the parents, the best thing about the Suzuki Celerio is that it’s easy on the pocket, priced at P528,000 (MT) and P569,000 (AT). No wonder it was also voted by the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) as the winner of the “Best Value for Money” award in the 2009 Car of the Year (COTY) competitions.

Suzuki Philippines is the only integrated automotive company in the country, offering passenger cars commercial vehicles and motorcycles in its model line-up.