Riding Respect: Five Years of Motorclyde

From a local Batangas training pad to a thriving movement, Motorclyde marks five years of changing Philippine motorcycle culture.

Five years ago, two friends met in Saudi Arabia with a simple belief: riders deserve better training before hitting the open road. When Coach Clyde Karim Solano and Coach Erwin Carpena launched Handlebar Batangas in 2021—a modest setup paired with a community café—it was a bold gamble on a simple core philosophy: “Skills before speed.”

Back then, Lifestyle On Wheels captured the start of that journey, watching the team teach basic maneuvering, emergency stops, and road discipline to a handful of curious local riders.

Fast forward to today, and that quiet training pad in Sto. Tomas has sparked a genuine culture shift. Motorclyde’s 5th-anniversary ride saw over 150 motorbikes—from heavy Harleys and sleek sportbikes to vintage café racers and daily scooters—rolling together from Batangas to the Hilton Manila. That crowd wasn’t there for corporate speeches or milestone badges—they showed up to celebrate a family that always has each other’s backs on the road.

And they didn’t just spend the day reminiscing; they kept pushing forward:

Real Support: Partnering with the Sto. Tomas local government, they opened a Rider’s Assistance Center so long-distance commuters and local riders finally have a reliable place to pull over, get help, and recharge.
Remembering Their Roots: The team took time to thank the day-one believers who took a chance on them when they were just starting—giving warm shoutouts to Lifestyle On Wheels, Spyder Helmets, HOG Manila, and Standard Insurance.
Gearing Up: They launched Lychy, their own line of tough, all-weather armored gear built specifically to handle unpredictable local road conditions and weather.

5 Years in the Making: Then vs. Now

Aspect	The 1st Year (Aug 202)	5th Anniversary (Jul 2026)
Location / Hub	A newly conceptualized training compound & Handlebar Cafeteria in Sto. Tomas.	An expanded Motorclyde Riding Skills Center, complete with a specialized track, services, and a new Rider’s Assistance Center in Batangas, including the International Riding Academy in Bataan.
National Impact	Local training center focusing on local riders and initial skill drills.	Organizer of the National Riding Skills Competition, Moto-Tourism Rides, and partnership with major international brands like Razor Performance.
Rider Community	A handful of trainees from Saudi Arabia & local Batangas riders.	150+ anniversary ride participants spanning Harleys, sportbikes, adventure bikes, scooters, and cafe racers.
Ecosystem	Basic instruction and café food.	Full-fledged ecosystem including Executive Motostuff, Executive Cafe, MotorClyde Trading & Services, government safety partnerships, and nationwide community rides.

Reflecting on the milestone, Coach Clyde summed it up best: “Riders used to show up nervous and unsure. They left with confidence—not because we taught them to go fast, but because we taught them to respect the road.”