A SAFE RIDE JOURNEY TO REGINA RICA & BEYOND ON THE YAMAHA LEXI 155

Explore Tanay’s Regina RICA and on a Yamaha LEXI 155 #SafeRideJourney that features its capability in traversing key #StopOver destinations.

There is nothing quite like gear, a reliable machine, and an open road leading straight out of the concrete jungle toward the cool heights of Rizal. For this trip, we jumped on the Yamaha LEXi LX 155 for a full-day ride from Metro Manila up to the winding roads of Tanay. And finishing with a hang at one of the coolest rider hubs along Marcos Highway.

Here is how the ride unfolded.

From urban bypasses and mountain twisties to sacred spaces and lifestyle #StopOver.

Gear Check: Safety First

Before twisting the throttle, ATGATT (All The Gear, All The Time) was the rule of the day. Safety isn’t just about protection. Staying comfortable and connected enough to stay sharp throughout a long ride is a must!

Helmets: Spyder Helmets (Surge & Armada). We packed both high-speed protection and urban convenience: Spyder Surge is a full-face helmet with an aerodynamic profile and excellent wind noise reduction for open stretches like the C6 Highway and Marcos Highway. Spyder Armada, besides its wide field-of-view visibility and easy airflow, features the iconic Ghost Fighter, HIEI, design pattern that is a looker when on coffee stops and slow-speed cruising.

Intercom / Comms: Jabbre BOSS Motocom. Mounted onto our helmets for seamless rider-to-rider mesh communication. Noise cancellation kept track of navigation callouts, traffic hazards, and music sharing was crystal clear even through wind noise.
Jacket: Komine Riding Jacket (from MotoMarket). Provided serious mesh ventilation for the warm Manila heat, backed by solid CE-approved armor for peace of mind.
Pants: GRIT Riding Pants. Abrasion-resistant, flexible, and comfortable both on and off the scooter.
Footwear: Global X Riding Shoes. High-top ankle protection that looks casual enough to wear inside a cafe without feeling clunky.
Gloves: LABL Riding Gloves. Great tactile feedback on the throttle and brake levers.
Base Layer & Apparel: Dri Plus Balaclava to manage sweat under the helmet, paired with a custom Imprint Customs Jersey to complete the kit.

Navigating Manila via C6 Highway

We kicked off early in Manila and jumped onto the C6 Highway.

The Riding Experience:

The C6 corridor is notorious for mixed road conditions. Loose gravel and uneven pavement patches were found on the entire stretch due to heavy truck traffic. Yamaha LEXI 155 found this challenge a breeze. Despite its lightweight frame (~116 kg), the LEXi 155 absorbed the road imperfections cleanly. The upright riding position gave us excellent visibility over traffic. At the same time, the 155cc Blue Core engine with VVA (Variable Valve Actuation) provided the quick pick-up needed to overtake long trucks safely.

Fueling Up & Fueling Ourselves (Cleanfuel & LaBrewha Cafe)

After rolling off the highway and making our way up toward the scenic bends of Tanay, it was time for our first pitstop.

Gas Stop (Cleanfuel Tanay): The LEXi’s 4.2L fuel tank is on the smaller side compared to its bigger brother (the NMAX). Topping off at Cleanfuel before tackling the mountain passes gave us complete peace of mind.

Coffee & Brunch (LaBrewha Cafe): Found along the Tanay route, LaBrewha Cafe was the perfect spot to unbuckle our helmets, grab a fresh brew, and take a full meal.

The Scooter Advantage: Parked outside the cafe, the LEXi’s sleek maxi-scooter aesthetics looked right at home among the bigger displacement bikes. Plus, its wide, flat footboard (first in the 155 cc displacement product line) proved super handy for holding a small backpack during quick stops.

Spiritual Pause at Regina RICA Pilgrimage

Re-energized, we rode further up into Sitio Aguho, Tanay, to visit Regina RICA (Regina Rosarii Institute for Contemplation in Asia).

The Road Conditions & Handling: The climb to Regina RICA is a sweeping curve road, with incline shifts and tight to blind corners.
Engine Pull: VVA kicks in seamlessly around 6,000 RPM. It gives the LEXI 155 a surprising pull of power uphill without straining the engine. No need to engage heavily to a steady full-throttle force.
Cornering: The slim body profile makes leaning into corners effortless. It doesn’t carry the bulky weight of a standard 150cc scooter. It is nimble when maneuvering through hilly twisties.

Arriving at the 13.5-hectare sanctuary, we parked the scooter and spent time walking up to the iconic 71-foot statue of Our Lady on the hill.

MotoTourism Tips: Navigating Regina RICA safely

Visiting a sacred MotoTourism destination requires balancing rider safety with site etiquette. Here is how we managed our stop seamlessly:

Dress Code & Gear Transition (ATGATT Meets Sacred Grounds)

Because Regina RICA is a place of prayer and contemplation, a strict dress code is enforced (no short shorts, sleeveless tops, or revealing clothing).

The Yamaha LEXI 155 tucked our gear under its underseat compartment. Adding a TopBox for more space is a good option for safer luggage storage and for locking bags on its wide flatboard.

Motorcycle Parking & Logistics

Parking Fee: A minimal parking fee (around ₱20 for motorcycles) with a designated parking zone near the main entrance gate. Scooter Advantage: While car parking can get crowded on weekends or holidays, a scooter’s compact footprint makes finding a secure parking spot hassle-free.

Key Features & Spiritual Highlights.

The 71-Foot Our Lady of Regina RICA Statue: Asia’s centerpiece of the sanctuary. A paved staircase (roughly 308 steps) flanked by sunflower patches leads up to the colossal statue overlooking the mountain range.

Sulod (Sanctuary of Universal Love and Devotion): Nestled directly under the mantle of the Our Lady statue is an adoration chapel. It provides a quiet and reflective space for personal prayer.
Sacred Labyrinth Walk: An outdoor path designed for meditative steps. This area provides an ideal place for clearing your mind and unwinding after hours on the road.
Ecological Sanctuary & Wildlife: The sprawling grounds feature tree-lined pathways. This area serves the Stations of the Cross pilgrims, making it a peaceful rest stop while sheep and animals are on site.

Visitor Guidelines for Riders

Details and Info

Rider Etiquette: Turn off loud exhausts upon entering the gates, observe silence inside prayer zones, and pack out any trash.

Operating Hours: Wednesday to Sunday (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM). Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays.

Mass Schedule: Mass is held regularly throughout open days (with multiple schedules on Sundays).

Entrance Fee: Free (Donations are welcome; ₱20 for motorcycle parking)

Ending at Virtuoso Playground (Imprint Customs HQ)

To wrap up our #SafeRideJourney, we took Marcos Highway back toward Antipolo to hang out at Virtuoso Playground. This is known to be a multi-lifestyle hub built by riders, for riders.

This place is an absolute playground for motorcycle and street culture enthusiasts:

Freshened up with a quick hair trim at their in-house Barbershop.

Dropped by the Imprint Customs Shop to check out fresh apparel and gear.

Grabbed a meal and cold drink at Imprint Cafe.

Appreciated custom bike builds and PMS services over at Revolt Garage Co.

Caught up over a few games at Sidepocket Billiards.

It was the ideal finale (or a jump-off) to a full day on the road. A good coffee, lifestyle gear, and great conversations with fellow motorcycling enthusiasts.

Final Verdict: Yamaha LEXi 155 as a Tourer

Can a daily commuter scooter double as a weekend road trip companion? Absolutely. The Yamaha LEXi 155 targets 125cc users who demands a 155 cc power but with an ample flooboard only found on a 125cc class. It’s an excellent choice who demands the best of both categories.

Highlights:

Power-to-Weight: The 155cc VVA engine in a 116 kg frame gives it a punchy power-to-weight ratio that handles hill climbs with ease.
Agility: Effortless filtering in city traffic and flickable maneuverability in mountain curves.
Ergonomics: The flat floorboard and relaxed seat cushion keep riding fatigue low over long hours.

With the Yamaha badge, expect lots of aftermarket upgrades and mods.

Things to Mind:

Fuel Range: You’ll need to plan gas stops slightly more carefully on long province loops due to the 4.2L tank capacity.
Rear Mono-shock: With only s single rear shock might be too short for a long haul cargo, but with the right riding habits negotiating bumps and patholes, riding the LEXi 155 can deliver flawlessly.

All in all, paired with proper safety gear, the Yamaha LEXi proved itself to be far more than just an entry-level commuter. It’s a capable, fun, and stylish ticket to weekend freedom.