Liberty: My Independence

MANILA, Philippines - As a two-wheel enthusiast for some years now, I’ve ridden and owned a couple of well-loved bike of the masses. I learned to ride from a regular manual-clutch motorcycle before switching to a semi-automatic underbone, taking long rides outside Metro Manila and using it for my daily commutes. I just haven’t tried it in a scooter. As my riding experience varies with the type of motorcycle I use for long rides, I wasn’t sure if a scoot would suit my well-built-fat-laden physique.

And then opportunity knocked in the form of MotoItalia Philippines, Inc. (the 324 Ortigas Ave., North Greenhills-based local distributor and importer of the iconic Italian scooters Piaggio, Vespa and Gilera) inviting me for a long Independence day ride on a scooter named Liberty.

Liberty on Independence Day. What more can I ask?

The machine known to Italians as Piaggio Liberty 150ie is well suited to the hustle and bustle of EDSA with its long wheelbase, large wheels, and a pleasant dual-action hydraulic mono-shock with four-setting-adjustable spring preload rear suspension that can accommodate my big frame and deliver a smooth ride over bumpy, potholed roads, and all manner of poor surfaces. It’s stable and balanced when cornering and with its 220mm disc brake with dual-piston hydraulic caliper in front and a 140mm drum brake at the rear, provides reliable braking power.

The instruments display an analog speedometer, odometer, digital clock and a fuel gauge. The storage compartments are a lot bigger than my trusted underbone and a has a neat little glove box for smaller belongings plus a shopping bag hook just above it.

Power is provided by a 4-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled 150cc motor that is equipped with electronic fuel injection (EFI), two valves actuated by a single overhead camshaft (SOHC), for a torque output of 11.80Nm at 6,500 rpm. That will accelerate you from standstill to 80 kph slightly faster that a regular scooter. Fuel consumption yielded 35 km/L on a long ride from Greenhills, San Juan to Clark, Pampanga, which is economical for a 150cc scoot ridden by a 180-pounder.

Despite its ergonomic seat, I had to admit that the sitting position made it uncomfortable for me, as I’m accustomed to riding like a cowboy than riding lady-like—two knees bumping each other—or maybe because I’ve never ridden a scooter before on a long ride and also never have used it as a commuter.

Taking the Liberty 150ie by way of busy MacArthur Highway solicited a lot of stares and glances with its aesthetic appeal. Curvaceous look? I guess it’s in the eye of the looker.

Simply put, the Liberty 150ie is a gender-friendly scooter. It can be ridden both ways—as a macho man or as a knee-bumping feminine out for a joy ride.