ON TWO WHEELS AND UNSTOPPABLE
How two women found freedom and empowerment through the world of motorcycles
Meet CF Moto head honcho and Motostrada Marketing Head Joanne Lu and the Philippines’ Motocross Princess and Yamaha Philippines Racing Team member Pia Gabriel. With their passion, determination and exceptional skills, they’re shattering stereotypes and inspiring a new generation of female riders. Fierce and fearless, these women aren’t just riding motorcycles; they are redefining the industry.
We were able to spend some time with Pia during the launch of Yamaha Motor Philippines’ racing teams to talk about how she got into motosports, and her love for racing on two wheels. We also got to chat with Joanne right before she flew off to El Nido, Palawan to prep for the global launch of CF Moto’s much-anticipated off-roader, the 450 MT. It was refreshing to hear from someone as honest and straightforward as Joanne (no BS here!), who shared the triumphs and challenges of being the head of one of the fastest-growing motorcycle brands in the country, and the joys of being a rider and a single mother.
Born to ride
The third of four children, Joanne is the only one who rides big bikes among her siblings. As the daughter of Boy Lu, head of Motostrada (formerly Dream Bikes, which used to sell KTMs, MV Agustas and Ducatis way before big bikes became widely popular), she was exposed to motorcycles at such an early age. Her motorcycle journey began on a KTM PeeWee when she was just 10.
“Our general manager, Dennis, is the godson of my dad,” she recounted. “So, bata pa kami, kasama na namin s’ya. One time, my dad told Dennis na bantayan ako. Pagtalikod ng dad ko, ayan--hinataw ko agad ‘yung bike!”
When she had to go to the United States for their family business, Joanne had to also take step back from motorcycling. She rekindled her passion for two wheels when she returned to the Philippines a few years later.
“My mom and dad didn’t use to be nervous when I’d ride,” she said. “Now, mas kabado na dad ko. Pero wala na s’yang magagawa. N’ung sumampa ako ulit ng motor, wala na. I’m back!”
Pia’s first motorcycle ride was with her father. She would sit in front of him when she was just four years old, and her dad would let her open the throttle of the bike.
“Medyo kamote,” she admitted. “But that’s the truth. I gained confidence because of those rides with my dad. Tinuruan ako kung paano mag-open and magclose ng throttle. I started there, tapos tuloy-tuloy na.”
Difficult choices
Yes, riding a motorcycle is often associated with a sense of liberation. For Pia, however, difficult choices had to be made for her to pursue her passion. Already a third year Mass Communications university student, she decided to put her studies on pause to focus more on motorcycle racing and events. It was not an easy choice, she admitted.
“My course needs you to be active, to be on the field. So, I had to stop. That was my sacrifice,” she said. “I really had to think about it. Hindi biro ‘yung pagaaral. Hindi rin biro mag-stop sa pag-aaral. But I realized that school will always be there, but being at the peak of my career at this age won’t be forever. So, susulitin ko na hangga’t kaya ko, tapos pwede ako mag-aral ulit.”
As single mom, Joanne is no stranger to making sacrifices for her son. Before she rekindled her love for two wheels, her sights were set on taking to the skies as a pilot. But, soon after she applied for flying school in Clark, Pampanga, she found out she was pregnant--so she had to think and weigh whether to pursue flying or spend more time with her baby.
“I couldn’t think of leaving him five times a week,” she explained. “And then, after I gave birth, nag-apply ulit ako sa flying school. But I couldn’t leave him because he was breastfeeding.”
Now, Joanne and her son bond over their love for motorcycles. Weekends are spent riding in Coach Mel Aquino’s Yamaha Off-road Motorcycle Training Camp in Antipolo. She’s also very hands-on; waking up extra early just to prepare breakfast for Ethan, her son, and helping him with his homework after dinner.
“Ang maganda, since nag-momotor anak ko, ‘yung Sundays, ‘yun ‘yung bonding namin,” she said. “Nag-fa-flat track kaming mag-ina kila Coach Mel.”
Falling Forward
Most people fear motorcycles because they’re afraid of getting into an accident. And this fear isn’t unwarranted. According to Statista, about 49 people were involved in motorcycle-related accidents on average daily in Matro Manila, in 2022. “Well, I think lahat naman ng sports may part na delikado.
Except for chess, maybe,” Pia remarked. “There are real risks sa riding. But you can be safer by prioritizing proper gear, training and knowledge. ‘Di naman kasi na pag natuto ka lang mag-throttle, rider ka na. Madaling magpabilis, per mahirap hintuin or i-control ang motor.
And last, enjoy the ride.” For Joanne, there isn’t anything she fears--only deep waters. While she may not boldly jump into the deepest parts of the ocean, she will get up and ride again even right after a nasty spill. In a BOSS Ironman endurance challenge a few years back, this gutsy rider hit a hand-tractor in Tuguegarao, and she hit it hard.
“I didn’t fall asleep, unlike what others thought then. Inantok ako kaya mabagal reflexes ko,” she explained. “Bumabagsak ako, hindi ko nabawi ‘yung bike ko. I didn’t know it right away, but I fractured my ribs.”
Joanne was rushed to the hospital, and was told that it would take two hours before she could be X-rayed. With about 400 kilometers left to the finish line, Joanne signed a waiver, took painkillers and went back to her bike. She finished that BOSS Ironman in just under 24 hours, even with that hospital detour.
But falling or failing doesn’t mean giving up. Both Pia and Joanne know that all these slips, these challenges only help them become stronger riders and stronger women. One of the most difficult challenges Joanne had to face was when she discovered two male riders were making very lewd and sexual remarks about her in a group chat. She didn’t let this slide, and instead of brushing things under the rug, she filed a case against them-and won. She did this despite other people discouraging her from doing so.
“It’s really not about the money,” she explained. “It was a two-year battle, and I won.
Ang laban ko na dito is may record na sila permanently. And it shows people that they can’t get away with doing things like that.”
Joanne also shared practical advice for women who want to learn how to ride. “Just keep practicing and honing your skills and knowledge. Enroll in a school or training course. ‘Di kailangan big bike agad. Pwede ka mag scooter, pwede ka mag offroad, pwede ka mag racetrack.”
A two-time Female Rider of the Year awardee, Pia always aims to set a good example for other female riders. “For me, being an inspiration doesn’t mean you always win or you have to be perfect. Sometimes, natatalo talaga,” she explained. “My ultimate goal when I started was to prove to everyone that we women can also excel in a male-dominated sport. And I hope that I continue to do that.”