KN Rider: The stopover for Marikina City’s motorcycle community

PHOTO: Owners of KN Rider (L-R) Niña Ocillo and Kyna Benito outside of their main branch in Marikina City.

KN Rider Helmet Trading, a vibrant motorcycle gear store located in Marikina City, has become a go-to destination for riders seeking quality products and accessories.

Founded by passionate entrepreneurs Niña Ocillo and Kyna Benito, KN Rider is fostering a strong sense of community within the motorcycling industry.

With its eye-catching banners and signage, proudly displaying its partner brands, KN Rider is nestled on a busy street corner in Concepcion Uno. Its store facade features a distinctive black and red color scheme, with a logo depicting a helmet crossed by wrenches, emphasizing its focus on safety and quality. 

Ocillo and Benito’s unwavering dedication and entrepreneurial spirit have driven KN Rider to success, despite facing numerous challenges. Serving the motorcycle community propels this start-up to grow further, and explore new opportunities head on.

The gift that started the dream

The journey of KN Rider’s co-founders began with a simple yet meaningful gesture: Ocillo gifted Benito a helmet, as they themselves co-owned their own motorcycle.Looking back, the value of the helmet “wasn’t much the former reminisced. Despite that, and their limited resources at that time, the gesture sparked a desire to explore the motorcycle community through helmet trading.

Being motorcycle riders themselves, both recognized the importance of safety gears. Inspired by the growing popularity of motorcycles, they embarked on their entrepreneurial journey and leveraged social media to promote their limited helmet offerings.

“Noong 2019, nag-isip na kami kung anong magiging business namin…Limitado lang ang pwede gumamit ng car, lalo na noong pandemic,” Ocillo recalled, “So noong time na iyon, naghanap kami ng mga supplier na pagkukuhanan namin ng helmet. Tapos doon na nag-start na mangutang kami dahil mayroon lang kami noon ng halagang ₱50,000. Nine pieces lang na helmet ang pwede namin ma-avail sa halagang iyon.” (“In 2019, we started thinking about what our business would be. There were limited options for people to use cars, especially during the pandemic,” Ocillo recalled. “So at that time, we looked for suppliers from whom we could source helmets. That’s when we started borrowing money because we only had ₱50,000. We could only avail of nine helmets for that amount.”)

Even with their small beginnings, the two business owners persevered. They went to actively promote their products by reaching out to individuals in their former workplace, including maintenance staff, building clerks, and security guards. When the pandemic hit, they went the extra mile to personally deliver helmets to customers in areas as far as Cavite and Bulacan. This quickly built trust within the motorcycle community through their genuine hospitality and dedication to service. 

Overcoming Challenges

Building upon the success of their online store, KN Rider opened their first physical location along Marcos Highway in Marikina. Ocillo recalled with enthusiasm how Benito had secured the location along the area, marking a significant milestone for KN Rider. This physical store expanded their reach and provided customers with a more tangible shopping experience.

However, despite initial successes, they were faced with various challenges, including inconsistent sales, a store flood caused by a typhoon, negative external perceptions, and the ever-changing logistical protocols during the pandemic.

Instead of giving up, the couple decided to reset their mindset. They recognized that their business was not just a venture but a partnership—both in life and in the motorcycling industry. They closed their first store and relocated to their ideal spot in the city, where they began to see significant growth in their business.

Benito managed the physical store and inventory, while Ocillo took charge of expanding their online presence, particularly through social media, and eventually tapped vloggers who helped amplify their brand. Together, they agreed to source out reliable suppliers to keep the momentum of their store rolling with great quality products. 

In 2023, realizing they needed more than just helmets to stay competitive, Ocillo and Benito expanded their product line to include essential motorcycle accessories such as motorcycle mags and topboxes. This diversification, alongside exclusive deals with major brands like Freedconn and Evo Helmets, helped solidify their reputation in Marikina.

Strengthening Lasting Bonds with the Motorcycle Community

As their customer base grew, KN Rider emphasized building trust with both customers and suppliers. As they offered products based on their suggested retail prices (SRP) and cultivated relationships with customers by promoting their culture of “unli-friendship”. They hired employees recommended by trusted individuals, ensuring their team shared the same values of honesty, reliability and customer care. Additionally, they established a service center adjacent to their store to cater to more specialized motorcycle needs to which they referred as their “side dish”.

“Bumibili sila ng motor(siklo) para iyon mismo ang pang-service nila kasi nga yung sobrang traffic, iyon ang iniiwasan nila,” Ocillo said. ( “They buy motorcycles to use for their own services because they want to avoid heavy traffic,” Ocillo said.)

KN Rider, recognizing the diverse needs of motorcycle enthusiasts, offered a wide range of products beyond the essentials. This allowed customers to personalize their motorcycles, pegging them as an extension of their identities. To make these purchases more accessible, KN Rider established partnerships with  financing solutions providers like UnaCash. This strategic move enabled customers to upgrade to their motorcycle gears without bearing the weight of upfront costs.

“Isa din iyon kung bakit kami dinadayo ng mga kliyente kahit ang lalayo nila tapos Marikina pa kami, ay dahil sa financing. Sa ibang area, walang financing o hindi kaya hindi marunong mag-process, hindi daw sila marunong kaya mag-cash na lang daw kahit wala silang malaking cash.” the co-founder stated. “Dahil dito, sa word of mouth, lagi nila kami nire-recommend. So every time na may client, lagi mo silang i-treat like a queen, like a boss.” (“One reason clients travel to us, even from far away and all the way to Marikina, is because of our financing options. In other areas, there’s no financing available or they don’t know how to process it, so they say they’ll just pay in cash even if they don’t have enough money.” the co-founder stated, “Because of this, we often receive recommendations through word of mouth. So every time a client comes in, we always treat them like a queen, like a boss.”)

Steady Ride to Expansion and Safety

Looking ahead, KN Rider remains committed to promoting rider safety, particularly in nearby provinces where helmet use is still not widespread. 

“Ang payo ko talaga sa mga riders, kailangan nila unahin ang safety first. Magaling sila mag-drive, maayos sila, pero yung mga nakakasalubong nila, hindi natin sigurado. Unahin mo yung safety ng ulo mo,” Ocillo said.  “Pagdating naman sa mga motor nila, i-kundisyon muna natin yung makina, check natin yung mga brakes, yung gulong nila, para maayos yung biyahe nila. Safety gears ang kailangan nila at pasensya sa daan.” (“My advice to riders is that they must prioritize safety first. They may be good drivers and are careful, but we can never be sure about the people they encounter along the road. Prioritize the safety of your head,” Ocillo said. “As for their motorcycles, they should make sure the engine is in good condition, remember to check the brakes and their tires to ensure a smooth ride. They need proper safety gear and patience on the road.”)

Their focus on safety extends beyond helmets to ensuring motorcycles are well-maintained, from checking brakes to tire conditions, helping their customers ride safely and confidently. The couple’s mission is clear: educate riders on the importance of safety gear and promote responsible motorcycling. By promoting responsible driving practices and the importance of safety gears in riding a motorcycle, KN Rider has become a valuable resource for riders in Marikina City and beyond.

“Sa mga gustong magtayo ng business, konting tiyaga lang. Ganon talaga ang buhay, minsan nasa ibabaw, minsan nasa ilalim.Lagi mong titignan yung mga taong tumulong sayo. Kasi hindi naman namin kakayanin kung kaming dalawa lang ni Kyna,” Ocillo expressed with a grateful glimmer in herr eyes. (“For those who want to start a business, just have a little patience. That’s how life is—sometimes you’re on top, sometimes you’re at the bottom.Always remember the people who helped you. We wouldn’t have made it this far if it was just me and Kyna,” she expressed with a grateful glimmer in her eyes.)

As KN Rider continues to grow, both founders remain focused on their passion for motorcycling and their dedication to serving their customers with warmth, trust, and the best products available.

You may visit KN Rider at 191 Canary St J. Molina Canary St Conception Uno, Marikina City, Philippines or their Facebook page. KN Rider is a partner merchant of UnaCash, an in-store and in-app financial solutions provider.