Musicians and their motorcycles

Gloc-9

On the internet, there are dozens of quotes on motorycle riding ranging from “Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul” to Tolkien’s “Not all who wander are lost” complete with stylized photos of riders on their bikes.

For Parokya in Edgar bassist Buhawi “Buwi” Meneses and rapper Aristotle “Gloc-9” Polisco, their reasons are similar but also unique.

Buwi is now based in California with his wife Febe and their kids, and is a full-time musician. His favorite thing is his 2008 Harley Davidson Nightster.

“I’ve always been a motorcyclist since high school. After college, I was able to build a bobber out of my dad’s old Yamaha TMX,” Buwi said. “Bobbing” is a bike term for styling one’s motorcycle.

“I’ve always dreamed of having a Harley, but was never sure if I could afford one especially in California.”

Buwi Meneses

Economical

When gas prices shot up, Buwi decided to sell his car and buy himself a motorcycle. “I could save a lot because the bike gets me to and from work on almost 85 percent less gas than if I drove a car. I can even avoid traffic and split lanes respectfully and carefully.”

He said he probably developed this need for speed because of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

“A lot of people had noticed that I couldn’t sit still and concentrate on one thing at a time. Onstage while I gig, my movements are a must and thus turn into a performance.

“That’s why I love riding the motorcycle because it gives me the pleasure of speed. It became important to me as my mode of transportation. The midcentury bikes always inspired me to live a biker life as simple as can be.”

Unlike a car, a motorcycle is easier to clean and maintain, he said. He keeps it in a corner of his parking garage beside his tools and enjoys spending time fixing and maintaining it.

Meseses’ Harley Davidson bike

Buwi bobbed his Harley so it would stand out. “It doesn’t look like the common Harleys on the road that are black or shiny white. Mine has a red orange tank that pops out from the rest.”

He uses the bike on his daily commute. “It’s a lone star vehicle because it’s a one-seater. It gets very cold in the winter, so I double up my gear and rely on the engine for warmth. I go slow when it rains, but don’t go further if it pours. I’ve transported items like small deliveries, groceries and even my bass guitar.”

Gloc-9 and his Suzuki bike

Dream come true

For his part, Gloc-9’s dream has always been to have his own motorcycle which he fulfilled after getting the go-signal from his wife, Thea.

“Since I was a child, I’ve always liked motorcycles. My uncle used to bring his cool bike over to our house to show us or to have it fixed by Tatay. I told myself I’d own one, too.”

He likes riding his Suzuki GSXS1000 on Sundays because of the feel of the wind on his face, the speed and the sense of freedom. “It’s intimidating, heavy, loud, big and extremely fast!”

He chose this particular unit because, “it’s the most reasonably priced naked bike in the 1,000cc bracket. It’s my first bike and I chose this one because I don’t need to upgrade … or so I thought (laughs).”

On Sundays, the only day he takes his bike out for a spin, Gloc-9 usually goes on short rides to Clark in Pampanga. “The longest ride I’ve ever done was close to 500 km, the Bataan loop, exiting Subic and back to SCTEX.