Universal Hardware is the main distributor of Lifan cycles, and today we sat down with their Belize City manager to learn more about this brand, and what they do to try to keep drivers safe on the road. Courtney Menzies has the story.

Most motorcycle drivers in Belize have one of these - a Lifan 125-5. It's durable and fuel efficient.

But it's also the kind of motorcycle that features frequently in accident reports. It's the one new owners flock to because it's affordable, and the parts are readily accessible.

And recently, Universal Hardware, the main distributor of Lifan cycles, says that they've seen a dramatic increase in sales:

Eber Mendez, Manager, Universal Hardware
"This year actually, when we had our sale, we had a very big amount of customers purchasing their motorcycle and even after that. So that proved to us that because of the - well it could be because of the salary adjustments - people have more purchasing power and are able to purchase these motorcycles."

Courtney Menzies:
"But I'm sure when you speak to them, they will always tell you that it's more cost-friendly to get a motorcycle in terms of gas especially."

Eber Mendez, Manager, Universal Hardware
"That's right, so the Lifan motorcycles are well known because they're reliable and fuel efficient. So even when it comes to vehicle owners, even them have come to purchase their Lifan motorcycles because they find it more affordable to run a quick errand on a motorcycle and you can save much more fuel compared to having a vehicle."

And Mendez says when a customer comes in, they try their best to match the bike with the user:

Eber Mendez, Manager, Universal Hardware
"We do ask the customers when they purchase the motorcycles if they're going to be using it - most people who buy them are from the village so we ask them, are you gonna be using it here in the city, or in the villager, where are you going to be using it more or less, and if they say yes we're going to use it in the village to do runs and usually we would do our best to give them the best option in that case so that they would purchase the right motorcycle for the right job. However, we do have customers who use their bikes for multipurpose, different journeys."

And while someone might buy a motorcycle for in-city use, it's likely that they'll use it on the road if they have to. According to Mendez, these bikes come with all the safety features needed for the highways. But they don't automatically come with helmets, and that's why they urge drivers to buy one immediately.

Eber Mendez, Manager, Universal Hardware
"We offer studs helmets. We sell studs helmets that are one of the top ranking helmets in the world and the reason that we say that is that these helmets have been designed with quality and good style. So these helmets are full cover, meaning they cover the front, the top, the back, and some of them even come with chin protection. So these helmets range between the price of 60 to 100 dollars, yes it's an investment, but it's an investment that you want to take from the moment you purchased your Lifan motorcycle."

Courtney Menzies:
"The Chief Transport Officer has said that they want to change this law so that when you buy the motorcycle, you have to buy the helmet immediately. Is this something that you all agree with?"

Eber Mendez, Manager, Universal Hardware
"We totally agree that of course we want the motorcycle drivers to be safe on the road. We don't want to see anyone in accidents without helmets. We want everyone to wear helmets and we strongly recommend to purchase a helmet immediately when buying a motorcycle, that should be a combo right away."

And one Lifan loyalist says he's tried other brands of motorcycles before, but nothing else compares - especially when it comes to the cost-effectiveness.

Phillip Gabourel, Owner, Lifan Motorcycle
"I bought my cycle six months ago and so far it's still working. It's built for the road, I could tell you because I travel to Barranco a lot on the bike, I don't come all the way through the paved road but I like muddy roads. The bikes withstand the muddy road. On gas, very good on gas as well. I put $10 gas on my bike and I spend a whole week before it's done, so it's very good on gas."

Courtney Menzies:
"Is that the main reason you bought the bike, because of the gas?"

Eber Mendez, Manager, Universal Hardware
"Yeah, that was the main reason because, PG, gas expensive. It's almost $14 to $15 for one gallon."

And while he nor Mendez have been in an accident before, they both agree that it's not the cycle, it's the drivers that are the problem.

Phillip Gabourel, Owner, Lifan Motorcycle
"Other drivers, you have to be thinking for them, especially the younger generation. They don't care about anything. You could be coming and something else coming and they try to overtake, that's why you have a lot of young people who are flying off these bikes, I won't say my bike Lifan, but other bikes but like I said, it's not about the motorcycle, it's about the driver."

Courtney Menzies:
"Do you feel like cars don't respect motorcycles?"

Phillip Gabourel, Owner, Lifan Motorcycle
"No they don't. The motorcycle, I'd say the car no, I'd say the young people don't respect the cars."

Courtney Menzies:
"The young people on motorcycles?"

Phillip Gabourel, Owner, Lifan Motorcycle
"On motorcycles, yup."

"I experienced it myself. Sometimes I have to haul off the road and wait till they pass if it's 2, 3 of them and then from there I get back on the road."

Eber Mendez, Manager, Universal Hardware
"So I've never gotten into an accident, I've owned a bike for three years, and what I do notice is sometimes you can be not seen on the road because it's a smaller vehicle but if you drive with care and you follow the rules and the traffic laws, more than likely nothing will happen to you. Of course this also comes with speeding. If you are speeding there's a much higher risk for you to be in a traffic accident rather than if you're driving 20MPH on the road."

"In personal opinion, it all comes down to you the driver on how you drive and how you operate your motorcycle."

And with the cost of the cycle under $2,700 dollars, and weekly gas ranging from $10 to $20 for quick trips, the decision is primarily an economic one, while road safety is, at best, an afterthought.