Three Wheelers

[BrettGC]

So we were in San Carlos yesterday having lunch with a Phil-Can mate of mine that I've known for years that was in the country for Christmas to visit his parents.  We took the opportunity to visit Rusco there and have a test drive of the Piaggio Apé City.  They were reluctant at first, but once my wife made it clear there'd be no potential sale without a test drive, they gave in.  I find it odd that this is the first country I've visited or lived in that test driving new vehicles is the exception rather than the norm.  

The model we drove was the 230cc manual with 4 forward gears and 1 reverse.  The front suspension is a pretty standard helical spring, but the rear are rubber springs with dampeners. The latter made me scratch my head, but there it is. 

We were out in it for about 20 mins on both concrete and bitumen roads of varying conditions.  Road noise was minimal for an open vehicle and the suspension whilst not passenger car level, was actually pretty good;  basically it won't be an issue on our trips in and around town.  There was no vibration or rattles and it's actually got a bit of get-up and go with just the two of us inside.  On paper the top speed is 60kph but we had it doing 70 with no issues.  The speed is obviously going to change with a load and assorted nieces and nephews that normally tag along with us, but around town, not an issue.  

We drove the vehicle as is, but there are a bunch of add-ons available.  It was raining when we drove it and you can get a clip-on rain shield, for example; there's a some room behind the passenger seat to store it.  We asked about extending the driver's seat to the width of the vehicle and it is possible.  

Price was 186k PHP up front or 6.5k down and 7.5k a month over 2 years.  Longer terms are available up to 5 years.

The "cargo" version, basically a light truck, is 220k PHP. 

Given the models available in other parts of the world, 7-seaters for example, I honestly don't know why these things aren't used as trikes, etc, as most trikes here are only in the 150-170cc range.  

Anyway, the jury is out until we can check out a Bajaj, but I was pleasantly surprised by the vehicle as a whole.   

[Mike J]

13 hours ago, BrettGC said:

We were out in it for about 20 mins on both concrete and bitumen roads of varying conditions.

You mention that road noise is not bad.  This has the single cylinder diesel engine?   If yes, I am wondering about diesel engines can be quite noisy.

[BrettGC]

30 minutes ago, Mike J said:

You mention that road noise is not bad.  This has the single cylinder diesel engine?   If yes, I am wondering about diesel engines can be quite noisy.

The model we drove was petrol mate. 

[RBM]

1 hour ago, BrettGC said:

The model we drove was petrol mate. 

There is a friendly American guy Mike, he owns Burger an Beers in San Carlos. I remember he has or had one of these trikes and would be happy to share his views by FB or otherwise.

Are they a China import and assembled here?  If so may explain why locals prefer the motor cycle like Yamaha for tricycle.

[GeoffH]

1 hour ago, RBM said:

Are they a China import and assembled here?  If so may explain why locals prefer the motor cycle like Yamaha for tricycle.

Bajaj and TVS are Indian companies that make both trikes and motorcycles (Kawasaki Philippines sell some of the Bajaj motorcycles in the Philippines, don't think TVS do).

Piagio are an Italian company that makes LCVs, scooters and trikes... not sure where the trikes are made (but it isn't Chinese owned).

 

[BrettGC]

8 hours ago, RBM said:

There is a friendly American guy Mike, he owns Burger an Beers in San Carlos. I remember he has or had one of these trikes and would be happy to share his views by FB or otherwise.

Are they a China import and assembled here?  If so may explain why locals prefer the motor cycle like Yamaha for tricycle.

Thanks mate, I'll look him up.  

I see a lot of Rusi trikes as well; Chinese made, built here. 

6 hours ago, GeoffH said:

Bajaj and TVS are Indian companies that make both trikes and motorcycles (Kawasaki Philippines sell some of the Bajaj motorcycles in the Philippines, don't think TVS do).

Piagio are an Italian company that makes LCVs, scooters and trikes... not sure where the trikes are made (but it isn't Chinese owned).

 

Piaggio trikes sold in Asia are made in India as well.  Coincidence?  Same factory maybe?  Given a population of over 1 billion now, the chances are slim.. Just conjecture of course. 

[Nickleback99]

Great thread and very useful to us, as we know we will need transportation soon in Duma, especially if end up in Valencia, Sibulan or Bacong.   I like the sounds of the Piagio as don't see my Asawa changing gears/working a clutch.  She became a very good driver in US, but her only car was a Nissan Leaf electric and drove my SUV Once for 1/4 mile.  Pretty good considering where she started....almost running my prior Honda Accord into a ditch on an empty road!  

[Mike J]

19 hours ago, Nickleback99 said:

Great thread and very useful to us, as we know we will need transportation soon in Duma, especially if end up in Valencia, Sibulan or Bacong.   I like the sounds of the Piagio as don't see my Asawa changing gears/working a clutch.  She became a very good driver in US, but her only car was a Nissan Leaf electric and drove my SUV Once for 1/4 mile.  Pretty good considering where she started....almost running my prior Honda Accord into a ditch on an empty road!  

My wife had never driven and I knew teaching her would be stressful for both of us so I paid for a driving course.  We were having dinner after her first lesson and she said; "I didn't know that you had to use your feet to  move or stop."   After the class was finished and she had a learners permit, I would ride shotgun in our Buick Park Avenue.  Going home on a nice straight 4 lane road, speed limit is 30 mph as we are in town.  The right turn I normally take is coming up but wife is not slowing down so I figure she is going a another 1/2 mile or so to the next right.   Suddenly she cranks the wheel, almost slides around the corner and the right front tire actually goes up onto the sidewalk after the turn!  I have to reach over, grab the wheel, and get the front end back on the pavement.  I ask her what happened.  She said; "You always tell me to maintain my lane.  The sign said 30 mph and I thought I had to maintain my speed".  

 

[jimeve]

5 hours ago, Mike J said:

My wife had never driven and I knew teaching her would be stressful for both of us so I paid for a driving course.  We were having dinner after her first lesson and she said; "I didn't know that you had to use your feet to  move or stop."   After the class was finished and she had a learners permit, I would ride shotgun in our Buick Park Avenue.  Going home on a nice straight 4 lane road, speed limit is 30 mph as we are in town.  The right turn I normally take is coming up but wife is not slowing down so I figure she is going a another 1/2 mile or so to the next right.   Suddenly she cranks the wheel, almost slides around the corner and the right front tire actually goes up onto the sidewalk after the turn!  I have to reach over, grab the wheel, and get the front end back on the pavement.  I ask her what happened.  She said; "You always tell me to maintain my lane.  The sign said 30 mph and I thought I had to maintain my speed".  

 

I don't understand how my wife got a full driving licence. She studied the computer course and passed comfortably, took a medical passed that, then got a full driving licence.

Now she wants to drive my car. No way She's going to drive on the main Rd. I said I pay for a crash course. (Pardon the pun.)

[Possum]

Years ago my wife took driving lessons for about 3 months before getting her license. It was a good course and made her a safe law abiding driver. Her test for license at LTO was a joke. The LTO office is at the bus terminal. She had to drive around the parking lot culminating in pulling into a parking slot, then backing straight out, stop...test over. Never tested in actual traffic on the road. I asked the examiner why they didn't test on the road. He said,"Too dangerous."  I for a moment was speechless.

Even today my wife doesn't like to drive. She says "I know how to drive properly but all those that don't scare me."