The ongoing debate about big bikes on Metro Manila roads, particularly EDSA, often gets unnecessarily complicated. The solution, frankly, is quite simple and doesn’t require new regulations to grasp. It boils down to common sense and recognizing the fundamental purpose and nature of a big bike.

If your daily commute doesn’t involve long rides that necessitate traversing major arteries like EDSA, then a big bike is simply the wrong tool for the job. It’s like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. It’s impractical to navigate congested urban roads on a large, heavy machine.

For those who own big bikes, the financial capacity to acquire a smaller, more maneuverable motorcycle for city use is usually not an issue. Even without new rules, using a big bike for daily commuting in traffic-choked areas is—to put it mildly—a terrible idea.

Now, if a long ride is indeed on your agenda and requires passing through EDSA, the answer is to adjust your schedule. Leave earlier to beat the rush. Alternatively, explore other routes like the Skyway, which offer a more suitable environment for higher-displacement motorcycles.

I’ve personally seen countless big bikes suffer from overheating, their engines ruined by prolonged exposure to stop-and-go traffic. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s significant damage that could easily be avoided.

Let’s be clear: Owning a big bike isn’t about necessity. It’s a luxury, a passion, and, for many, a statement. It’s not a practical commuter vehicle for the urban sprawl. It’s a bisyo—a vice, a hobby. Something you do because you enjoy it, perhaps because it makes you feel pogi (handsome).

The problem isn’t the bikes themselves, or even the riders. It’s the persistent misuse of these machines in an environment they’re not designed for, leading to frustration, damage, and unnecessary debate. Let’s apply a little logic and save ourselves—and our big bikes—a lot of grief.

Ultimately, to truly enjoy big motorcycles, you need to get out of Metro Manila. Early Sunday mornings, when traffic is light, offer a brief window of opportunity.

Meanwhile, scooters are traffic-busters. They are designed to navigate freely on densely populated places. Some of which offer city oriented features, like a stop/start system, TFT navigation, and anti-theft devices.

On the other hand, there are also big bikes that can adapt to Metro Manila traffic, specifically lightweight big bikes like the Husqvarna 401, the KTM 390 Duke, the Ducati Scrambler Sixty2, the Yamaha MT-07, the Honda Hornet, and more. They are nimble and definitely expressway-legal.

Having ridden for nearly 10 years and experienced a wide range of motorcycles—from the smallest to the largest—I can say that each offers a unique feeling and kind of happiness. It’s like choosing different shoes for different occasions: Each motorcycle has its purpose.

You don’t wear basketball shoes while hiking—or wear high heels in a marathon. Metro Manila is not a problem—it is a condition. Until we realize how to decongest the city, improve public transportation system, and make more sidewalks, people will find ways to move.

Owning a big bike is a privilege, not a right. If you can buy a million-peso motorcycle, then I’m sure you can also afford common sense.