Paint Manila Orange with KTM Philippines

“The connection to place, to the land, the wind, the sun, stars, the moon... it sounds romantic, but it’s true - the visceral experience of motion, of moving through time on some amazing machine - a few cars touch on it, but not too many compared to motorcycles. I always felt that any motorcycle journey was special. — Antoine Predock”

There is something to be said about riding on a motorcycle. Today, throngs of enigmatic enthusiasts willingly rally on for a ride. Proof of this is seen as motorists suddenly sneak up from behind you out of nowhere, crisscrossing their way through traffic, leaving cars behind to move at a snail's pace.

More often than not, two schools of thought come to mind when riding on a motorbike: freedom and fear. On the one hand, cruising through roads, following the twists and turns of the route does give a feeling of exhilaration and (somewhat) careless abandon. However, there are still others who wouldn't dare to ride one, citing safety as its main drawback. To each his own, but for me, being on a motorbike is a far more exciting way to get from point A to point B. Naturally, it goes without saying that proper precautions must be taken before each trip.

The one and only time I've ever ridden on a motorbike was back in college. I asked three of my friends to help me with a school project; confident we'd be done in a single afternoon. In the middle of it all, I noticed that I had forgotten something from the bookstore. It was a vital piece that was needed to complete the activity. Seeing that there was no way for me to get to the mall in such short notice -- and I was desperate to finish what I had started -- my friend asked if I would mind riding his motorcycle with him and take me to the nearest bookshop. The word "CAUTION" was blinking in bold, bright colors inside my head. I knew my mother wouldn't approve. But, in my youth, with thoughts of wanting to try something new, backed up by the rationale that this may be the one real time I can actually get away with it, I agreed -- so long as I wore the helmet. It served a dual purpose -- to hide my face from whoever might recognize me on the road and the other, less mortifying reason was of course -- for safety. Looking back, I was glad I'd taken the chance to do something outside my norm. It was fun!

Presently, motorcycles have become a mainstay in Philippine streets. You see them daily, zigzagging their way through perpetual traffic from cars, buses, jeepneys and the like. In many instances, the motorists we come across are those who've made motorcycles a part of their regular commute to and from work. For others, bikes have become a source of livelihood, making urgent deliveries, and satisfying customers. Still, others are members of a motorcycle community, aficionados who delight in these sheer, sleek masters of the road onboard select brands such as KTM.

KTM is Europe's largest motorcycle brand that caters to ardent fans worldwide for its distinct and dynamic orange ready to race insignia. KTM stands for the initials of its original founders and the place where it all began namely: Hans Trunkenpolz, his son Erich Kronreif and Mattighofen, Austria.

Fittingly, the authorized distributor of KTM motorcycles in the Philippines is Adventure Cycle Philippines, Inc. (ACPI). The firm entered the motorcycle business in 2016 via a strategic partnership with KTM AG, Europe's largest motorcycle brand. A wholly owned unit of AC Industrials in the Ayala Group of Companies, ACPI serves as the official distributor of KTM motorcycles in the Philippines that currently holds 30 dealerships (and growing!) all over the country. Through ACPI, AC Industrials in conjunction with KTM Asia Motorcycle Manufacturing (KAMMI) manufactures KTM motorcycles in the Philippines for domestic and export markets.

KTM Asia Motorcycle Manufacturing, Inc. (KAMMI) 's first mass production of KTM motorcycles began on February 28, 2017, and formally inaugurated on June 6, 2017. Freshly manufactured bikes from KAMMI were unveiled on the same month at the flagship store and were met with a wave of excitement from Filipinos. At present, the plant assembles four KTM models: 200 Duke, 390 Duke, RC 200 and RC 390 and now exports to neighboring Asian countries such as China, Vietnam, and Thailand.

To further accelerate KTM in the Philippines, the company joins the Inside Racing Bike Festival & Trade Show annually, as well as other awareness campaigns throughout the year. Known as the most significant motorcycle and scooter motor show in Asia, the Inside Racing Bike Festival and Trade Show is an offshoot event of Inside Racing Magazine organized by Camba Motohaus.

To date, Dukehana motorsport is a sub-event of the Inside Racing Super Series platform that is a multi-brand motorsports weekend event. The first day is dedicated to motorcycle gymkhana specifically for the naked range of KTM motorcycles of the DUKE family. This motorsport is designed to test the rider's ability to race a pre-designed course around several cones in the shortest amount of time, with the least amount of error. This event is for beginners and experienced riders alike. On its second year of celebrating the pride of ownership and competitive excellence, Dukehana will have a total of six legs in 2019. The first one was held at Robinson's Novaliches last March 30, 2019, the next one will be on May 26, 2019, at Sports Hub, Antipolo. The succeeding four legs shall be announced soon.

Last March 22, 2019, KTM On The Road was launched during the 13th Inside Racing Bikefest and Trade Show at the World Trade Center. KTM On The Road is a mobile showroom and service van with the purpose of making road trips across the Philippines as well as stopovers on pocket events of KTM dealers nationwide to meet customers "on the ground." With certified KTM experts along, it will be a memorable experience for all KTM fans to enjoy. Dates and venues for KTM On The Road are as follows: May 21, 2019, KTM Dagupan, May 24, 2019, KTM Baguio, May 28, 2019, KTM La Union, May 31, 2019, KTM Vigan.

Currently, KTM is the largest global manufacturer of ready-to-race European motorcycles and fast growing not only in the Philippines, but also in Vietnam, Thailand, and China. "We are proud to say that the Philippines has now manufactured 10,166 bikes born from the joint venture between Ayala and KTM. It all started with a dream. We wanted Filipinos to ride KTMs, and that's why we want to build them. Now that we're building them, we not only want the Filipinos to ride them, but we want the ASEAN market, the Asian market and maybe even the rest of the world to ride KTMs that are built in the Philippines," proudly announced by Dino Santos, President and COO of Adventure Cycle Philippines, Inc. under AC Industrials of the Ayala Group of Companies during the launch.

Track Day is an annual event that allows riders to get a real first-hand experience of their bike's power in an enclosed racing track managed by professionals. It is open to non-KTM owners or existing customers looking to upgrade. This year, KTM's Track Day event is tentatively scheduled in October.

“A motorcycle is an independent thing. You’re like, ‘I don’t want to ride in a car with this person. I want to be independent and ride by myself. But, let’s ride in a group. Let’s be independent, together.’ — Ryan Hurst”

More than these excellent machines, it is the motorists that I find most intriguing. I must admit that I haven't encountered much of them in my lifetime, but when I do come across one, the feeling they imbibe is universal. These men gravitate to concrete trails unlike any other. They form a band of brothers, a band of riding brothers as you may call them. These are men who saddle up these stallions of steel and ride like the wind towards the sunset. Whether individually, or riding as a pack, they exude a ubiquitous thirst for adventure, speed, and freedom . . . while still bound to the world around them. Man and machine have become one with the drive . . . and what a thrilling experience it can be!

You too can do the same and experience the acceleration, feel the agility on the road and the mastery of the ride on a KTM. Savor the indulgence of the chase with your machine on full throttle. Articulate the moves and paint the town orange! Go ahead and be Ready to Race! Check out KTM Philippines’ website and Facebook Page for more information.

Paint Manila Orange with KTM Philippines

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