Suzuki Skydrive Sport Media Ride 2019

Launched in the last quarter of the previous year, the Skydrive Sport is Suzuki’s latest offering in the entry-level scooter segment. With the campaign slogan Set the Trend, the Skydrive Sport is intended for would-be riders of a younger demographic. User-friendly features and a budget-friendly price tag give it an edge in the competitive commuter bike market. As if to set a new trend for the year, Suzuki took a group of motoring journalists on a 150-kilometer ride through Cavite and Batangas to help each one get acquainted with the new little trend-setter in the Japanese firm’s stable.

The journey began on a cool mid-January morning at Biker’s Café in the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. A convoy of around 20 riders braved the weekday morning rush on the way to their first pit stop, Calle Real in Tanza Cavite. Calle Real is a heritage restaurant with a century of history in serving traditional Caviteno dishes. We navigated through the narrow congested streets of Tanza with relative ease.

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The Skydrive Sport is one of the most compact scooters in the market today and squeezing through tiny gaps traffic took minimal effort. Everyone was able to reach our first destination without breaking a sweat. The event’s official title was “Skydrive Sport Overload Media Ride” and it would seem that we have burdened some of the scooters with the weight of heavy-set moto scribes, this writer’s unit, in particular.

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We all rode identical pink Skydrive Sport units and each one gave good effort in taking the uphill roads towards Kaybiang Tunnel. Spanning 300 meters, Kaybiang is the longest underground road tunnel in the country and it has become a popular destination for touring riders. What serves as an attraction is not only the tunnel itself but the scene route along the way. After a quick rest stop and Instagram post, we headed down to the beautiful beaches of Nasugbu, Batangas. The water was so inviting but another destination awaited us in Tagaytay.

The Skydrive Sport handled beautifully on the twisty mountain roads and it felt sure-footed when riding it at top speed on long stretches. It remained stable even when riding on bumpy roads at 90 KPH. I am 5’11” and yet the riding position on this compact scooter didn’t feel cramped. There is ample leg room and enough knee-grip clearance when turning tight corners. I wish the seat could be a bit wider, though. Several hours of saddle time had left some soreness on my back side.

Our next destination was Balay Dako in Tagaytay City and we were greeted by cool winds and a majestic view of Taal Volcano. After yet another sumptuous meal, we went on our way to Museo Orlina for some art appreciation before heading to our end point, Escala Tagaytay. The group received excellent hospitality and a bit of pampering before being treated to live performances by Ebe Dancel of Sugar Free. If Suzuki was really trying to set a new trend through this activity, then I am quite liking the direction we are heading. Through this journey, we have learned that the Suzuki Skydrive Sport is an excellent urban assault scoot as it can easily manage congested streets. It is also a capable distance tourer if need be, sore butt not with standing.

You can take it on food trips, road trips or even a trip to the art museum. On top of all, we have also experienced its fuel efficiency first hand, having completed the 150-kilometer route on 3.7-liter tanks. Given the pump prices nowadays, opting for fuel-efficient scooters, I believe, is a trend that will never go out of fashion.