The underbone motorcycle has been the undisputed motorcycle of choice for the masses.

Usually equipped with an auto-clutch transmission, it offers the convenience of clutch-free operation coupled with the versatility and robustness of a manual transmission bike.

The underbone’s basic features also enabled manufacturers to sell such bikes at a lower price point. Reliable, affordable and easy to use, it was the underbone that drove the Philippine motorcycle industry boom in the mid-2000.

In recent years, however, it has been playing second fiddle to the automatic scooter. In fact, the four major motorcycle brands (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha) sold only 77,152 underbone motorcycles compared to 269,652 scooters in the first quarter of 2023.

It has been a consistent downward sales trend for the underbone, from 494,482 units in 2018 to just 253,873 units in 2022.

So, is the underbone doomed to suffer the same fate as the moped and fade into obscurity?

Is the underbone's fate sealed?

Now, not to confuse one from the other, a moped is a small displacement (usually 50cc) two-stroke motorcycle which was popular in the '70s. Mopeds have bicycle pedals on them so the rider could use leg power to supplement the underpowered engine when needed.

It was the poor man’s bike back then and it could be considered as the ancestor of the modern-day underbone. Hence, some manufacturers still refer to underbones as mopeds.

While some manufacturers have reduced their underbone line-up, they are not yet ready to totally abandon the segment. Yamaha still races the Sniper155 in the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) series where Filipino racer JE Inquito recently won first place the round 3 held in Japan.

Suzuki is even staging a major event this weekend in celebration of the Raider’s (also known as Satria in other markets) 20th year in the Philippines.

The underbone still serves a purpose

The underbone may not be as ubiquitous in the city as it once was, but it remains to be popular in most provincial regions. Suzuki stated that its Raider R150 underbone makes up 60% of its total sales in the Mindanao region.

It is for the same reason the Honda launched the Wave RSX late last year. Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI) National Field Sales Manager Raymund Cristobal shared that road networks in the provinces are not all paved yet, and its taller 17-inch wheels and chain final drive make the underbone more suited for commuting on varying road conditions.

By the looks of it, the underbone, at least the entry-level models, is still the average Juan’s best chance of having the sense of freedom that comes with personal mobility. It will probably be a constant on Philippine roads for a long while.     

Can you imagine our roads without underbones?