Ducati Philippines recently launched the Ducati Riding Experience at the Megatent at Libis in Quezon City Philippines. Select members of automotive and motorcycle media were invited along with several VIPs to experience first-hand what the Ducati Riding Experience is.
The DRE begins here. Registration.
The DRE is Ducati’s official riding school. Since 2003, the DRE has been improving rider skills and sharing valuable lessons through their experienced and well trained staff. Aside from being a riding school, the DRE is a true Ducati experience.
The lineup of bikes available for use.
Ducati Philippines’ VP Joy Cua-Alberto began the day welcoming the participants to the first class of the DRE Philippines. Following suit was Ducati Marketing Representative for Asia, Stefano Campacci who welcomed all the participants with his best Valention Rossi impression. DRE Asia Chief Instructor Henry Iu gave a brief background to what the DRE is and what to expect for the day. Also introduced were the Philippines’ 2 certified DRE Instructors, Ducati Philippines President and CEO Toti Alberto and Gerald Aycardo.
DRE Asia Chief Instructor Henry Iu and Instructor Gerald Aycardo discuss the basics of riding a motorcycle.
The participants were a mix of race tested veterans, experienced riders as well as non-riders with no experience on motorcycles. Basic lessons like bike mounting, body positioning were tackled first. We usually take these things for granted and it was good to actually give these points attention and thought because they are the basis of how we know what is happening on the road.
Group 1 with Instructor Toti Alberto about to begin their drills.
We were then given a selection of bikes to choose from. A handful of Monsters, a Hypermotard and a couple of Scramblers were available for us to use. After choosing from the lineup our drills began. Our drills were a mix of slow controlled riding, slow controlled cornering and emergency braking, all of which are essential skills needed to ride in our traffic laden streets. Let me just say that many of my bad habits were exposed during the first hour of the day.
Group 1 led by Instructor Toti Alberto doing the warm-up laps.
Media participants Maynard Marcelo and Eggay Quesada.
As the day progressed, those habits were slowly and surely being corrected. An air of positivity around the class makes learning easy. The instructors were quick to point out our faults but were also eager to teach, explain, and answer any question. As Henry kept on stressing, “I want you to ask questions! The silliest question is the best question!”
DRE Asia Chief Instructor Henry Iu during the discussion of proper braking technique.
As the lessons drew to a close you could see all the riders tackling the teaching track with more confidence and resolve than how they did during the start of the day. Speeds were higher, lines were cleaner and there was even a bit of good natured jostling around the track. And our group of non-riders, who started their day doing slow crawls with feet down for balance? They were carving the track before the day ended. A true testament to what good teaching can do.
Receiving my certificate with with Ducati Philippines President Toti Alberto Upper row (L-R) DRE Instructor Gerald Aycardo, DRE Asia Chief Instructor Henry Iu, Ducati Marketing Representative for Asia Stefano Campacci
Congratulations to Ducati Philippines for bringing the Ducati Riding Experience to the country. With the boom in the number of big displacement bike owners, our community needs this facility badly. Motorcycling is a fun lifestyle, if practiced safely, and that can only be achieved by learning skills which usually takes years to develop. With the DRE a venue is given to learn and practice these skills in a closed and controlled environment away from danger and distraction.
For more information about DRE visit the Ducati website here, http://dre.ducati.it/en/ or you may contact Ducati Philippines on their Facebook page here, https://www.facebook.com/DucatiPhilippines/
