Okay so… I finally gave in.
I’m finally goin to write about the Yamaha PG-1
I remember seeing this thing in person last year and my first thought was “nah, it looks too much like a moped.”
And I moved on.
But here I am again, looking at it online at like midnight, and I can’t stop thinking about it.
Maybe it’s because my mindset has shifted.
I’m less about cool-looking bikes now and more about… useful ones.
Like something I can throw errands at.
Run to the market to pick up a sack of rice.
You know that kind of thing. I’ve been eyeing e-bikes and weird little utility bikes lately (I wrote about a Honda Gyro I spotted going to Binondo which kinda started all of this for me) and the PG-1… it actually fits that headspace now.
How It Looks
Okay so here’s the thing.
It does look like a moped.
But like… a really good-looking moped?
It’s got this retro scrambler thing going on, round headlights, spoked wheels, and knobby tires. Yamaha actually drew some design inspiration from the XSR 155, which is that neo-retro street bike they also sell.
It comes in six colors too, Black, Orange, Blue, Gold, Green, and Sand… for me the Sand or the Gold would look really nice rolling around downtown Davao.
Under the Hood (Well, There’s No Hood, But You Know What I Mean)
The PG-1 runs on a 114cc Air Cooled, 4-Stroke, SOHC, 2-Valve engine. Same engine as the Yamaha Sight underbone, actually. It puts out 8.88hp at 7,000rpm and 9.5Nm of torque at 5,500rpm through a 4-speed semi-automatic transmission. It also has fuel injection which is nice because… who wants to deal with a carb anymore, right?
Now before you say “only 114cc?!” … look, this bike isn’t trying to be a Sniper.
It’s not trying to race you.
It’s trying to be useful.
And at reportedly 55 to 60 kilometers per liter… that’s actually really impressive for daily use.
Gas prices too high?
Not with this.
Ride
I haven’t actually ridden one yet.
But based on the specs… I think it would feel very chill.
Like, not scary at all.
It weighs only 107kg (kerb weight), which is really light.
The seat height is 795mm which is pretty manageable for most Filipino riders.
Ground clearance is at 190mm which means potholes, floodig roads, even short off-road detours… should be fine.
The H-shaped front fork they designed apparently boosts rigidity and gives it better shock absorption on rough roads. And the wide swingarm supposedly minimizes vibration on long rides.
Which… if you’ve ever ridden from Davao City down to Digos or up to Bukidnon on a small bike, you know vibration is no joke after a while.
The tires are 90/100-16 knobby block-pattern tires front and rear on 16-inch spoked wheels.
These are dual-purpose tires so they’re not amazing on asphalt but they’re not terrible either. Think of it like wearing hiking shoes to the mall.
You can do it.
It just feels slightly different.
The exhaust pipe also points upward which means river crossings… are actually possible. Just sayin’.
Practicality for Davao Life
This is where I get excited. The dual seat has separate sections for rider and luggage.
So you can actually strap things down on the rear seat.
Groceries.
A bag of fertilizer.
A toolbox.
For someone doing short errands, this is very useful.
The fuel tank is 5.1 liters.
Not huge but enough for a good range when you’re getting 55-60km per liter.
Weekend rides are totally doable.
The upright riding position means you’re not hunching over like you’re on a racing bike.
You sit up straight, you see the road clearly, you feel relaxed.
That’s important when you’re navigating heavy traffic or squeezing through tight market roads.
There’s also a small underseat compartment for registration docs and little things. Nothing fancy but it’s there.
Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Detail |
| Engine | 114cc, Air-Cooled, 4-Stroke, SOHC |
| Power | 8.88hp @ 7,000rpm |
| Torque | 9.5Nm @ 5,500rpm |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Semi-Automatic |
| Fuel System | Fuel Injection |
| Seat Height | 795mm |
| Ground Clearance | 190mm |
| Kerb Weight | 107kg |
| Fuel Tank | 5.1 liters |
| Tires | 90/100-16 (Front & Rear) |
| Brakes | Disc (Front) / Drum (Rear) |
| Price | ₱82,900 |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Really good looking for what it is
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Excellent fuel efficiency (reportedly 55-60 km/L)
- 190mm ground clearance handles rough roads well
- Upright riding position is very comfortable
- Useful dual-seat for cargo or a passenger
- Fuel injected engine (no carb headaches)
- Available in 6 color options
Cons
- 114cc engine means it’s not for highway speeds
- No ABS (disc in front, drum at back only)
- Knobby tires are slightly noisier and less grippy on wet roads
- Small underseat storage
- No gulay board or rear rack out of the box (needs accessories)
- Pillion seat is on the smaller side
Should You Get One?
Honestly?
If you’re like me and you need something for errands, something light, something that won’t eat your gasoline budget and also happens to look kinda cool in a quirky way… yes. I think you should look at this seriously.
With a little bit of accessories, I think you can turn this into a very capable everyday bike. A small rear rack, maybe a small bag or box, and you’ve got yourself a legit utility bike that also won’t embarrass you when you park it at the mall.
For those here in Davao who are always navigating mixed roads, going to the market, occasionally taking longer rides on weekends… the PG-1 is a good idea.
It’s not for everyone.
But it might be for you.
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