There comes a point in every rider’s life when they would like to experience the freedom of speeding through traffic-free expressways rather than having to suffer through the badly maintained service roads next to delivery trucks and jeepneys.
Unfortunately, the outdated road rules in the Philippines mean that only motorcycles with engines over 400cc are allowed to travel through the country’s expressways. Because of their specs and technical safety features, big bikes are known for generally being a lot more expensive than scooters and small displacement bikes.
But with all the ongoing construction and expansion to the country’s expressways and skyways, many destinations north and south of the metro will soon be more accessible—at least to vehicles allowed to traverse toll roads, which could be reason enough for an upgrade soon.
All hope is not lost. In case you’re just a hardworking Filipino citizen who doesn’t have confidential funds lying around to buy yourself a Triumph Rocket 3 or Honda Gold Wing, it’s still possible to buy a big bike on a budget.
Here are some expressway-legal bikes available in the Philippines that cost only P500,000 or less.
1) Honda Rebel 500
With its low-slung seats and easy-riding style, the Rebel 500 is one of the top choices for riders who aren’t that tall, but want to upgrade to a big bike. This lightweight cruiser is powered by a 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine neatly tucked in a low chassis, and an 11.2-liter tank to power those long rides. The sexy, overall look, blacked-out style, and matte touches of this bike will appeal to both girls and guys alike.
The Honda Rebel 500 will cost you roughly P399,000.
2) Suzuki Burgman 400
Don’t want to mess around with a clutch and gears too much while traversing expressways? While most scooters fall well below the mandated 400cc limit, there are a few maxi-scooters with larger engine displacements that can easily keep up with manual motorcycles in terms of cruising speed that are available in the local market under P500,00.
The Burgman 400 combines the comfort and convenience of a scooter with the speed and tollway capability of a ‘real’ big bike. It’s powered by a 399cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine with double overhead cams. Some practical features include a glove box, a 12V power outlet, underseat storage that can fit a full-face helmet, and a handbrake for safety.
The Suzuki Burgman is priced at P399,000.
3) Bristol Bobber 650
The Bobber 650 is Bristol’s most premium high-displacement motorcycle in its lineup. With classic custom cruiser styling, this macho-looking bike features a low seat height and comfortable seating position suited for those epic long rides to the north. It comes equipped with a 650cc DOHC liquid-cooled, four-stroke parallel-twin engine, with power output rated at 68hp via a six-speed transmission. Safety features include dual-channel ABS as standard. The bike is also equipped with hydraulic disc brakes front and rear.
The Bristol Bobber 650 comes with a price tag of P398,000.
4) Kawsaki Eliminator 450
The classic Eliminator, an entry-level cruiser bike originally popular in the ’80s is back with new 2023 models offering the same comfortable and relaxed riding position complemented by a lightweight chassis along with modern tech features. The new Eliminator is powered by a Ninja-based 451cc parallel-twin engine and features an assist and slipper clutch as well as an all-digital instrumentation panel to give riders complete control from low-speed maneuverability in the city to strong, linear power on the highway.
The suggested retail price is P360,000 for Eliminator and P380,000 for Eliminator SE.
5) Honda CBR500R
For those who prefer the look and feel of sports bikes for their leisure rides, Honda’s all-new CBR500R looks like a worthy splurge. The 2022 model of this sportbike has a more aggressive-looking front end courtesy of the slightly bigger LED headlights and windshield. It boasts excellent handling, serious styling, expressway capability, and ‘big bike’ levels of power.
The bike is powered by a 471cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke parallel-twin engine that generates 47hp at 8,500rpm and 43Nm of torque at 6,500rpm. Fuel economy is pegged at 28.6km/L.
The Honda CBR500R is available in all Honda Big Bike dealerships and retails for P364,000.
6) Kymco Xciting S 400i
Another possibility in the maxi-scooter category in the Philippines is the Xciting S 400i. This buffed-up scooter, which has several active touring rider clubs, offers sophistication, refinement, performance, and comfort. The Xciting is powered by a 400cc SOHC liquid-cooled, four-valve fuel-injected engine. Premium amenities include an adjustable windscreen, charging port, Bosch ABS, Noodoe Navigation, gas seat struts, and many more. You can enjoy having a tollway-legal bike combined with the comfort of laid-back scooter riding for the price of P359,000.
7) Bristol Venturi 500
The Venturi 500 is a sporty and rugged big bike that promises to give an adventure-driven performance without being too painful on the pocket. This big bike from the British-inspired, boutique Philippine brand gets its power from a 471cc DOHC liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine, front and rear disc brakes, and ABS. The six-speed manual motorcycle is decked out with a slew of features to make long rides safer, including engine crash guards, a skid plate, 19-inch front wheels, 17-inch rear wheels, a fully digital instrument panel, a USB power socket, and more.
The Bristol Venturi 500 will set you back P358,000.
8) Bristol Maxie 400
Looking for another maxi-scooter option? Check out the Maxie 400, a versatile maxi-scooter with off-road capabilities. With a rounded-off 400cc displacement, this adventure-inspired scooter is expressway-ready. The Maxie comes with front and rear cameras, a TFT dashboard, customizable windshield, tire pressure monitor, Bluetooth app for navigation and security, and keyless start.
The Bristol Maxie had an introductory price of just P328,000 ahead of its regular price of P368,000.
9) KTM 390 Duke
The KTM Duke 390 is a naked bike under the Austrian KTM brand known for its maneuverability and precision. It comes with a 373cc DOHC liquid-cooled four-valve engine and six-speed manual transmission that uses a slipper clutch. While technically, the displacement size falls a bit below the 400cc requirement, it is still considered an expressway-legal bike in the Philippines. Among the bike’s unique features are a ‘supermoto mode,’ a fully digital instrument panel with light sensitivity that automatically changes the backlight color depending on the outside conditions, and a ride-by-wire throttle.
For the local market, the KTM 390 Duke comes with a sticker price of P318,000.
10) SYM Maxsym 400i
The Maxsym 400i is considered one of the most affordable maxi-scooters in the 400cc category available on the local market. The model from Taiwanese motorcycle manufacturer SYM or Sanyang Motor was one of the early models of maxi-scooters released in the country. While it may look a bit outdated compared to other maxi-scooters, it offers a capable and comfortable ride for powering through expressways.
It’s is powered by a 400cc single-cylinder engine that produces 35hp at 7,000rpm and 34.50Nm of torque at 5,500rpm, mated into a CVT. It features dual-disc front brakes with ABS, plus an analog-digital display.
The SYM Maxsym 400i is priced at P318,000.
11) Kawasaki Ninja 400
The Ninja 400 is a tollway-capable sport-touring bike that bears Kawasaki’s iconic sportbike name and aggressive styling reminiscent of supersports bikes with larger displacements. Powering this lightweight two-wheeler is a 399cc DOHC parallel-twin engine good for 48.9hp and 38Nm of torque. The Ninja boasts superb ergonomics, a lightweight frame, and a low seat height, making it nimble even for both new and experienced riders who want to enter the sport-riding scene.
The Kawasaki Ninja 400 comes with a price tag of P315,000.
12) Royal Enfield Himalayan 411
Priced starting at less than P300,000, the Himalayan is an adventure-touring bike from Royal Enfield considered one of the most affordable and versatile adventure bikes in the local market. Powering it is a 411cc single-piston engine paired with a five-speed manual. Safety and security features include ABS, an immobilizer, and a pass switch. As we wrote in our previous review, this bike is something you wouldn’t mind doing the Philippine Loop on because “it’s efficient, light, comfortable, reliable, simple enough to be worked on by roadside mechanic shops, and capable of taking on the tollways.”
Pricing for the Royal Enfield Himalayan starts at P299,000 and tops out at P326,000.
13) Husqvarna Svartpilen 401
The Svartpilen 401 (a Swedish term for ‘black arrow’) is a naked bike with a unique and stylish modern-retro look coupled with technical features as shared with its KTM cousin, the 390 Duke. This light bike is powered by a 373cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. It comes with the Bosch ABS, immobilizer, and a pass switch.
This Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 is surprisingly affordable at just P295,000.
14) Kawasaki Z 400
The latest addition to Kawasaki’s Z Series, the Z400 is a supernaked bike that offers a high-performance engine and lightweight trellis frame with a slim design for easy riding. Similar to the Ninja 400, but with more aggressive styling and upright riding ergonomics, the Z400 Standard is powered by a 399cc engine and has a six-speed gearbox.
The Kawasaki Z 400 starts at P279,000.
15) CFMoto 450NK
Just launched this year, the 450NK is an expressway-legal naked bike that boasts the CFMoto’s signature NK styling and is a step up from the smaller 400NK at a still-reasonable price. It gets a 449cc liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder fuel-injected gasoline engine with 49.6hp and 39Nm of torque. Standard features include ABS and smartphone connectivity
The CFMoto 450NK is priced at P262,800.
16) Bristol Classic 400i
For those who want to bring classic styling to their long rides, the Classic 400i offers a mix of good looks and modern features. It’s powered by a 400cc SOHC oil-cooled engine that has four strokes and one cylinder. The stylish cafe racer managed by a five-speed manual transmission keeps a retro look with its inverted fork, brushed aluminum gauges, and chrome stripe across the gas tank. A pair of analog gauges that show the fuel level, odometer, trip meter, and neutral indicator add a modern touch.
The Bristol Classic 400i sells for P238,000.
17) Benelli Imperiale 400
For guys who prefer the look of old-school motorcycles, the Imperiale 400 offers a classic and elegant ride with modern features. This cruiser pays homage to the iconic bikes of the past with its timeless design, comfortable seating, and smooth performance. Power comes from a 374 cc air-cooled engine that produces 21hp. It has a 12-liter fuel tank and a claimed mileage of 33.49km/L.
The Benelli Imperiale 400 costs P238,000 in the local market.
18) Kawasaki Bajaj Dominar
For budget-minded riders eager to explore the country’s expressways, the Dominar is one of the favored models. The naked bike is powered by a 373.3cc single-cylinder engine with a frame underpinned by a 43mm inverted front fork and a rear monoshock. The 2022 model got new upgrades useful for touring, including a tall windscreen, handguards, and a luggage carrier with an integrated pillion backrest. For added protection, the latest version also has an engine bash plate with an integrated metal skid plate and a new leg guard. Need extra features for motovlogging? This bike comes with a USB charging port and a smartphone mount.
Prices in the Philippines for the Kawasaki Bajaj Dominar start at P199,900.
19) MotorStar Cafe 400
Did you know you can get a big bike in the country for less than P140,000? It’s true. It’s possible to ride along the expressways on a retro-inspired bike that’s priced less than Vespa’s most entry-level scooter.
By far the most affordable expressway-legal motorcycle available in the Philippine market is the MotorStar Cafe 400. In case you didn’t know, MotorStar manufactures Filipino-assembled motorcycles with most of its parts coming from China. The Cafe 400 houses a 397cc OHC four-stroke single-cylinder gasoline engine connected to a six-speed manual gearbox.
This locally assembled cruiser has chrome fenders, an analog panel with a speedometer and tachometer, as well as a fuel warning light and pass switch. For safety, it comes with a single front disc brake and rear drum brake. While it may not boast the most high-end of specs, at a price tag of just P140,000, this bike offers an entry-level machine for riders just yearning to scratch that expressway itch. It can even go as low as P80-100k if you’re willing to get it secondhand.
Whether or not these are the best bikes to take on the expressway is a different story, but in terms of affordability and meeting the 400 cc rule requirement, the big bikes listed above give riders various options depending on their budget.
