4 things that make the Yamaha PG-1 the ultimate prepper’s bike

The much-awaited Yamaha PG-1 finally made its official Philippine debut this past weekend and even Typhoon Aghon could not sway the public from heading out to the Bridgetowne Open Grounds in Pasig City, where eager visitors got the chance to test ride Yamaha’s latest offering. In fact, the wet weather somewhat served as a suitable backdrop for the launch of the PG-1. Designed to tackle unpredictable riding conditions, the Yamaha PG-1’s styling enhances both form and function to a level that befits its retro scrambler character.    

Yamaha markets the PG-1 as an “outdoor lifestyle motorcycle” but after getting acquainted with it on the twisties and light trails in Tanay, Rizal, we’d like to argue that it could also be the ultimate “prepper’s bike”. Here are some things that you need to know about the Yamaha PG-1.

Do anything, go anywhere

Fitted with a rather modest 114cc mill, the PG-1 probably won’t win races on the track. Sure, some bike can really go fast but the PG-1 can practically go anywhere. Those fat, 16-inch knobby tires can take on various terrain and coupled with a 190mm ground clearance, they could also roll over obstacles with relative ease. The PG-1’s front fork and rear dual shock absorbers smooths out rough surfaces and keep the bike planted on the ground.

The PG-1 can also be easily customized to suit your specific riding lifestyle. Yamaha even offers after market carrier racks for the rear, sides and even for the front. For relatively small bike, it sure can haul a lot of stuff. 

Will probably keep on running until the end of time

Propelled by a simple and robust single-cylinder, air-cooled engine, the PG-1 will probably require very minimal maintenance. Less things to break means less things to worry about. That is something you have to count on when you’re in a bad spot. With this in mind, you can also confidently explore unfamiliar places and go on adventures, knowing that you are straddling a metal steed that will not quit on you when the going gets tough. Factor in Yamaha’s legendary build quality and you have a forever bike that you could even pass on to your kids.

Sips fuel, pinky finger extended

Yamaha’s own factory testing of the PG-1 yielded an impressive 59 kilometers to a liter. With a 5.1-liter capacity, you can go around 300 kilometers between fill ups on the PG-1. This is quite essential during tough times. When it comes to fuel efficiency, however, many factors still come into play. Your riding habits and road conditions mostly determine how far can a liter of gas take you.  

Look ma, no clutch!

With the PG-1, power is delivered to the rear wheel via 4-speed, auto-clutch transmission. So of course, it does have a clutch, but you don’t have to bother with a clutch lever when shifting gears. Just push down on your left toe to shift up and push down with your heel to shift down. This system also prevents the engine from stalling when you find yourself in the wrong gear. This inspires confidence when navigating the trails or the gridlock of the urban jungle. It also frees up your left hand, so you can wield a weapon in case you have to ride through a zombie apocalypse. 

The Yamaha PG-1 is priced at P 96,400 and it is only available here in the color that you see in the photos. Would you go for this “Swiss army knife” of motorcycles?