Month: December 2020

Categories
Taste Tests

Taste Test: 2020 Levdeo i3 Comfort Series

Despite all the stigma in regard to Chinese cars in general, it does not stop me from reviewing this Low-Speed Electric Vehicle (LSEV)! Welcome to the Levdeo i3, an A-segment City Car with a stolen identity from BMW and an unknown car brand even by Chinese standards! Levdeo is a newcomer brand in China from 2019!!

Following my #AllCarsMatter mantra, I was fortunate enough to ‘Taste Test’ this relatively unknown city EV hatchback! Auto Hub Group Philippines insisted for me to drive this peculiar EV City Car!

LSEV vehicles are currently popular in France and some parts of the European Union.

This unit here is somewhat of a ‘test market’ vehicle, the i3 is already currently for sale in Mainland China as I publish this video. Being a pure-electric vehicle, I shall discuss the viability of this Levdeo and EVs in general in the Philippines.

Being a curious monkey, I can’t wait how does it drive and the stigma on Chinese cars in general.

[NOT YET AVAILABLE IN THE PHILIPPINES & TOTALLY NOT AVAILABLE IN NORTH AMERICA]

 

Host Dealer / Distributor:

– Auto Hub Group (San Juan City, NCR, Philippines)

https://www.autohubgroup.com/

https://www.facebook.com/autohubgroup

https://www.facebook.com/Philippines-Levdeo-Electric-Car

 

Guest:

Chine Reyes [Assist. Admin for Sales & Marketing, Triumph Motorcycles Philippines]

https://www.triumphmotorcycles.com.ph/

https://www.facebook.com/TriumphMotorcyclesPhilippines

https://www.facebook.com/chnrys10/

 

Categories
Bite Tests

Bite Test: 2020 CFMoto 250NK & 650NK

Time for a first double-header! After editing my ‘Bite Test’ on the 250NK, I realized that the video was too short for a weekly episode. Then I realized that I also have an equally short video, from the same brand too! And that would be the much bigger 650NK. Then it struck me, I might as well combine the two in one video! Yay!

Not many people outside Asia may know, but CFMoto is one of the biggest Chinese motorcycles in the world. Other than Zongshen (CSC), QianJiang (Benelli/SSR), Loncin (Voge), Zontes, Lifan, & Motrac; CFMoto is one of the front-runners in the industry.

CFMoto captivated me when I landed in the Philippines and piqued my interests greatly. As a US-based Filipino, my curiosity towards the 400NK gravitates me to their test ride booth during the ‘Tiangge.’ Unfortunately, the 400NK wasn’t available but the smaller 250NK and the much more Globally acceptable 650NK.

The 250NK is a mass-market Premium Budget Bike that competes in the 200-300cc class. Available in select markets around the world, I was surprised with it’s KTM-inspired TFT gauge especially for it’s budget-friendly price!

The 650NK on the other hand is in a very tough spot. The 600-700cc class is a very competitive area, let me give you an example: SV650, Z650, MT-07, TNT600i, & CB650R just to name a few, oh boy!

So it seems that CFMoto is primarily aiming for price-conscious audience. But will that be enough to lure customers in to their dealerships? Since its a Chinese-manufactured motorcycle, the negative stigma is still very strong.

But I’m all about the product itself, not where the country is based from, not the political gibberish, and definitely not from the social stigma. My question is: is-this-bike-good? And even for this very short ride, I will still ride these bikes. But what do I think of it?

 

Event:

– Makina Moto Tiangge 2019

https://www.facebook.com/makinamotoph/

 

Host Distributor/Dealer:

– Motostrada / CFMoto Philippines

https://www.motostrada.com.ph/

http://www.cfmoto.ph/

https://www.facebook.com/MotostradaOfficial/

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialCFMotoPH/

@MotostradaOfficial

@OfficialCFMotoPH

 

Host Manufacturer:

– CFMoto Motorcycles

https://global.cfmoto.com/MOTORCYCLES

 

Distributor (USA):

– CFMoto USA (ATVs only)

https://cfmotousa.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/CFMOTOOfficial/

@CFMOTOOfficial

 

Dealer (PHI):

– Motorcycle City (Nationwide)

http://www.motorcyclecity.com.ph/

https://www.facebook.com/officialmotorcyclecity/

@officialmotorcyclecity

 

Categories
Bite Tests

Bite Test: 2019 Kawasaki Z125 [JHF] (SAT)

Everyone knows about the Z125 PRO [BR125JHF]; the Micro-Naked fun bike that many people now enjoy most of the world! This Z125 is available in North America, Japan, and most of Southeast Asia! Also a mortal enemy to the Honda Grom/MSX125 & Benelli TNT135.

Then there is another Z125 [BR125KKF]; a bigger version of the same name, on which is a learner-bike and Budget-Naked version of the Ninja 125 [BX125AKF]. This version is available mostly from Europe and Middle-East. This is more of a Honda CB125R & Suzuki GSX-S125 competitor.

Not many people know about THIS specific Z125. Nope, it’s not a PRO version, just a plain Z125. This ‘Bite Test’ is about the kid in the basement, the non-manual transmission model.

Featuring a ‘rider-friendly’ 4-speed clutch-less Centrifugal Transmission, this feature is rather common with some Asian-mopeds and underbones motorcycles throughout South snd Southeast Asia.

Since I’ve ridden the Z125 PRO both in Las Vegas and in Long Beach in the USA. How will this semi-automatic version compare to the much-loved and much-recognized full-manual model? Find out here!

[NOT AVAILABLE IN NORTH AMERICA]

 

Categories
Bite Tests

Bite Test: 2019 Motoposh Pinoy-6 (Trike) 150

Since my last ride with the Piaggio Apé City Fi (petrol/gasoline version), I have been very interested in these Auto Rickshaws, Tuk-Tuk, or more commonly known as Tricycles (or technically, Tricycle Alternative Vehicles).

So while I was ‘Bite Testing’ other bikes, I was surprised to know that I can test ride this very vehicle right here! But it was late in the day and many vendors are packing up at the moment! I was fortunate enough to ‘Bite Test’ this TAV!

This is the Motoposh Pinoy Trike 6-Seater 150, since it has a long name, lets call it the Pinoy-6 150. Sharing it’s namesake from it’s original Pinoy 125 & 155 ‘Pantra’ 2-wheeled motorcycles, Motoposh has been marketing this trike as its 3-wheeler version of their Pinoy line. Since the original Pinoy 125 & 155 are already being used for business ‘Tricycles’ like this Pinoy-6.

Unfortunately, according to a Motoposh dealer in Caloocan; the Pinoy-6 is no longer for sale. But there are still unsold units remaining Nationwide. Instead, Motoposh has been marketing their new Pinoy-9 200 all over Facebook! The number 9 means it seat 9 PEOPLE!!! That’s a segment exclusive!

With a typically small-scale brand, how does the Pinoy-6 perform compared to the Apé Fi? I know a ‘Bite Test’ isn’t enough to gauge a vehicle like this especially with the limited seat time I had with this vehicle. But out of curiosity, I have to ride this ‘Tricycle!’ Will I be ok riding this thing!?

Price for the Pinoy-6 150 & Pinoy-9 200:

PHP 160,000 (+ License & Fees)

USD 3,165 (+ Tax, License, & Fees)

[NOT AVAILABLE IN NORTH AMERICA]