International rider and model Mizziel (pronounced My-Shell) Serra is currently in the Philippines for work to shoot a television show called Island Hunter: Philippines which will be aired on the National Geographic channel. Despite her busy work schedule, she made it a point to connect with local riders and riding clubs and managed to squeeze in several rides in Metro Manila during her free time.
I had the chance to meet up with her while she was in Manila for a couple of days and it was just amazing to see someone with her riding skills. It’s not everyday that you get to meet a bad-ass rider who happens to be a stunning motorcycle model as well. I’m completely in awe of what she’s accomplished in the motorcycling world.
As a model, she’s done work for commercials, glamour and fitness, but it’s Motorsports that she enjoys the most. In a video interview with Super Streetbike Magazine, she says that getting into motorcycle modeling has been “the best of both worlds.”
“I get to model on bikes and be around so many beautiful machines… Because I can ride, the people who have these bikes let me ride them, and I love test riding bikes.”
If you were riding in or near Manila last weekend, you may have even encountered her yourself on the city streets, the expressway, twisties or dirt trails. I’ve seen how crazy fearless and intense she is taking on any situation on any bike… from rush hour Metro Manila traffic on a Friday to off-road trails in Antipolo.
Oh, did I mention she was wearing heels all the time she was doing this?!
For new fans from the Philippines who are curious to know more about her, here’s a quick bio from her website.
“Based in Los Angeles, California, Mizziel is a content creator, adventurer and motovlogger. She rides her motorcycle as a daily commuter, documenting many of her adventures on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube. Although she has a broad background in modeling, she specializes in Motorsports, Fitness, and Fashion. Some of her highlights include being a MotoGP Umbrella Girl, dancing in music videos, setting land speed records on motorcycles, starring in an international motorcycle commercial, and teaching people, including celebrities, how to ride.”
Riding for about 9 years now, Mizziel has always loved being involved in the motorcycle community in any way she can. In 2014, she and two other respectable, like-minded female riders started a motorcycle-related business called Redline Ravens. The business’ ultimate goal is to inspire riders worldwide and encourage others to lead an active lifestyle with an emphasis towards inspiring women, and to promote a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect between all riders.
It was fun getting to hang out with her and find more about her riding background and experiences. Here’s a short Q & A that’ll give you more of an idea of what she does and hopefully inspire more women to ride.
1. Can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself. A lot of people have been asking about your heritage. You mentioned your parents are from Iloilo, right but you grew up in LA?
I’ve been told that I have an “ethnically ambiguous” look lol. Both of my parents are from Iloilo so I’m mainly of Filipino decent, but I’m also 38% Polynesian.
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2. How did you get into riding and what was your first bike?
I’ve always been fascinated by riding two-wheeled vehicles. I used to love riding bicycles as a little girl and also looked up to Lara Croft from Tomb Raider.
I eventually met a boy (of course) who took me on the back of his motorcycle. After experiencing the speed and exhilaration that riding a motorcycle had to offer, I instantly knew I wanted to ride my own.
My very first bike was a 2007 Suzuki GS500 Streetfighter. It was a naked bike I named M. Bikeson after M. Bison from Capcom’s Street Fighter.
TRIVIA: She also does cosplay on motorcycles! 🙂 How cool is this shot as Elektra?!
3. What bikes do you currently own?
I currently have 5 bikes – 2007 Suzuki GS500, 2001 Honda CBR600RR F4i, 2007 Honda CBR600RR, 2006 Yamaha R6, 2014 BMW R nineT
I haven’t had the heart to sell any of my bikes yet. I can get pretty sentimental about my things lol.
4. As a motorcycle model you get to be around and test ride a lot of motorcycles. What’s the most bad-ass / craziest / most extreme bike you’ve ever had to ride?
The Kawasaki H2R. This specific one produces 201 hp. I filmed a comedic skit with it on my YouTube channel. It’s titled “When Your Bark is Louder Than Your Bike.”
5. What would you say has been your greatest challenge as a woman in the motorcycle industry?
Being taken seriously and earning genuine respect as a real rider, especially during the first encounter.
People ask me things like, “…Do you actually ride? Like you ride the bike yourself?”
“Can you even touch the ground?”
And although I appreciate the chivalrous gesture, guys are always insisting to help me move a motorcycle as if I’ve never done it before and I’m like, “No thank you, I got it. It’s part of my work-out routine.”
I understand I don’t look like I ride, but I enjoy the element of surprise.
6. In the time you were in the Philippines, you got to ride a LOT. What were some of the memorable rides you did?
All of it was memorable. I don’t think I can forget any of the crazy rides I went on nor can I ever forget the amazing people I met and rode with. So far, I rode through the provincial roads to Tagaytay, all over Manila and the Skyway, through the Marilaque twisties, on the KRB dirt track and trail and even rode all the way down to Batangas.
I want to personally thank the people at Ducati Philippines, STKD Surf Moto and KRB MX Speedway for letting me ride their bikes and for treating me like family. I also want to thank Marvin from No Barriers No Horizons and Kara from Travel Up for being so hospitable and helping me around.
I can’t get enough and I’m seriously going to miss everything and everyone when I go back to LA.
7. Traffic in Metro Manila generally sucks, but you were able to drive around here with no problem. How different is it driving here compared to LA?
We have congested freeways that have up to 6 lanes packed with all types of vehicles, but traffic in Metro Manila seems significantly more dangerous than traffic in LA, mainly because there doesn’t seem to be any rules on the road. There is no concept of lanes and everything is pretty chaotic with random movements coming in from left and right.
Shout out to my Filipino roots for keeping me alive on these streets LOL Crazy, aggressive riding runs through my blood!
8. Any advice to other women out there who want to get into the riding but are afraid to make the first step?
Absolutely. If you want something badly, you will do everything in your power to make it happen.
Mentally prepare yourself and actively take steps towards the goal. I always recommend starting on the dirt. There, you can learn the concept of using a clutch and shifter on a much lighter bike (the heavy weight of a regular street bike is an extra intimidating thing to worry about when first learning how to ride).
Dropping a dirt bike is also less expensive than dropping a street bike, but it happens. There are so many benefits with riding dirt, but I’ll save talking about it for another time and place. I can talk about riding forever!
9. If you were a type of motorcycle, what kind would you be and why?
A reliable dual-sport Motorcycle. One that can ride hard both on and off the road. Adventure is everywhere and I wouldn’t want to miss out. Variety is the spice of life!
If that doesn’t inspire non-riders to start canvasing for a motorcycle right now, I don’t know what will. Want to learn more? Check out her social media links here:
- Website: http://madamemizziel.com/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MizzielSerra
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mizziel/
Additional photos courtesy of Mizziel Serra and No Barriers, Just Horizons. Thanks for the interview. We’re all looking forward to seeing your show air in the Philippines! 🙂
I’m so touched and flattered by this… Thank you! Love your website and all the great information you take time to write out for everyone. That is true passion, from one rider to another. Stay safe on the roads and I can’t wait to ride again sometime. You’re welcome any time in California. I’ll have a bike for so we can do more exploring! <3 ( ;
It was great meeting up with you here in Manila. Good luck with the show! I think a lot of your new fans from the Philippines will be looking forward to watching it 🙂