Habal Habal Motorcycle

Making a habal habal motorcycle

A habal-habal is a Honda TMX 155 that has been modified with a seat extension so the driver can carry 4 or 5 passengers on his motorbike.

Usually they are used for cargo on rough trails where cars and tricycles cannot go. I have seen up to 10 people on one motor bike on occasion.

Honda TMX

I selected a small shop in Basey in southern Samar near the San Juanico Bridge to do the job for me. I do a bit of camping in the Philippines and felt that having that rack on the back will make it easier to carry extra people and gear.

This roof over attachment is very common in these parts and usually bodgered together with a bamboo frame.

Hinabangan Samar

I live in Catbalogan, Samar but habel habel are not common there. Calbayog, Basey and Calbiga are places where this modified bike is the usual so the mechanics are very efficient at creating these one of a kind seat extensions.

I negotiated a price of 2000 pesos to get the job done and it took two welders 3 to 4 hours to finish the job. We did not use real heavy duty steel but I think it will work for me.

Motorcycle Samar

Be sure to disconnect the CDI and the battery before welding begins.

It’s a good idea to install extra springs to handle the extra weight. It’s weird, but it doesn’t take long to get used to 3 or 4 passengers. The main problem is your stopping distance. The locals all have an excellent sense of balance so that really helps.

There it is, painted up and ready to go. With only two or three people you get a stiff ride but as you add to the load the ride gets smoother.

Changing a motorcycle tire in the Philippines – interesting video getting a tire changed by a barefoot guy in a small towmn in the Philippines

—–oct 2008 update

Maintenance on the motorbike in the Philippines

I get my oil changed at the Honda Motor World shop here in Catbalogan.

The mechanics are first rate and it only costs 30 peso plus the cost of a liter of oil. (155 pesos today)

The shop is across form the Rose Pharmacy on the main street in Catbalogan. Labor is a good deal in the Philippines so I usually get all my work done, rather than doing it myself.

It only costs 120 pesos for a tune up.

400 pesos for a top overhaul

700 pesos for a major overhaul

300 to replace a clutch

180 to change a chain and sprocket

200 to replace a starter motor

Have the air filter cleaned while you are there.

The bike just turned 11,000 mostly Samar kilometers today.

I have a lot of fun with that bike.

———Dec 2008 Update

The bike now has 15,000 k. We just completed a Manila – Zamboanga – Samar road trip. That was a great trip! ( now nearly 60,000 k)

Getting through Manila traffic was a chore because small bikes are not permitted on the expressways. That TMX motorcycle really couldn’t keep anyway. It has a very large rear sprocket so it will have more power in the mountains where it was intended to be used.

I did not see any other habble-habble in Manila, and certainly none with a white guy driving. It was not a big deal but I was heavy with an American passenger and 3 backpacks.

The bike did get a new clutch in Naga in southern Luzon. The clutch had not been engaging properly for a few days because the linkage had become corroded due to all the deep water it went through the past month.

Honda Motorcycle shops have well trained, first rate mechanics. This guy actually was in the Honda mechanics Olympics and knew his stuff.

The 5 clutch linings, oil change, valve adjustment, chain tightening and other misc repairs cost me 450 pesos plus parts.

The parts including oil were around 650 pesos.

————Reflective tape

In Dapitan Mindanao

Reflective tape was added to increase visibility when night driving especially in the driving rain.

——- New Tires

New front tire in Cagayan de Oro. It was a job to find a place that had 300 x 17 tires.

I picked up an extra tube as well. I have found it pays to carry an extra sparkplug and twp spare tubes on long hauls.

Sub contractors install them on the sidewalk outside.

This guy across the street seemed like he was a pro so I took it over there.

A workman that takes pride in his work is really a joy to find!

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Mt. Mayon near Legaspi in southern Bicol.

Motorcycle driving in the Philippines can be such a joy!

——– Flat tires

Flat tire in Quezon Province in the middle of nowhere. Always carry a spare tube in case the valve stem rips out.

I had 6 flats in the past 6 months but I do torture that bike!

April 2009 update

That bike has served me well over the past 12 months. 25,000 k most of it with passengers. I feel comfortable with 3 but 4 passengers are still too much for me. Some of these local guys will take 5 or more, but they are much better drivers than I am. It is also important to have riders that already have good balance.

I often place a bag of rice or hog chow on the gas tank to keep the center of gravity forward. I did get a flat tire once when there were 3 passengers carrying small backpacks. The ride gets very squirrely. The three of them found  karaoke place to hang out while I went back to Buray to get a new tube. (since that time, I always carry a spare!)

Last night we were just riding in the mountains of the Taft National Forest and I got another flat. It is super important to keep a spare tube tucked behind the headlight because no vulcanize shops carry spares and the tube is usually unserviceable. We had to walk about 3 k in the dark but at least it wasn’t raining. We changed the tube by the light of a flashlight and were soon on our way.

I plan to install a new tire today. You have to try to stack the odds in your favor in these parts!

8 flats so far – 7 in Samar and one in Quezon province.

Balabac Island in southern Palawan. The bike turned over 40,000 k on that trip. I had two passengers and had a lot of trouble with the super slippery trail.

Busuangs Island in northern Palawan. The bike turned over 50,000 k on that trip.

Crossing a river in north eastern Samar. My friend Joni was on the back with his gear for 5 days on this trip.

Unloading -  I drove this bike 4 times through Manila. I would like to put 100,000 k on this bike on the highways and byways of the Philippines.

Motorbike in the Philippines