Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Middle East
Middle East Topics specific to the Middle East countries, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman and the Emirates
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 Sep 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Back in Asia
Posts: 322
Thumbs up Oman

I am currently getting ready to relocate to Oman for work. What are the chances of 1) Taking my own bike over R1200GS or R100GS PD. 2) Would it be easier to purchase a bike there eg: KTM etc 3) Anyone know of any bike shops or websites that have bikes there and 4) Is riding gear expensive there?

Any help would be apreciated.

Cheers
Ivan
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 4 Sep 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 992
I would think that your employer could provide you with contacts for that type of information to help with your move. Consulates, etc.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 4 Sep 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Back in Asia
Posts: 322
Post Oman

Sorry Lone rider, my company isn't in to bike I just thought that some one here may know? Or have been through there and have some forst hand information. I really can't see a consulate telling me or even knowing anything for that matter about bikes, have you had other experiences?

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 4 Sep 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: worcestershire,uk
Posts: 150
Thumbs up

Hi I lived in Oman from 1996 to 2000, working as a Navigator on the Sultans yacht. Happy days. I imported my own XTZ750 Super Tenere which had already been top to bottom of Africa - I hate hassle and paperwork but I don't remember it as causing any great aggro - definately slower to sort than in Europe/Oz but maybe half a day hanging round the port then half a day in various registration offices getting insurance etc etc. The Sultan has the country well sorted - there is no corruption and the police/customs etc are organised along British lines and well paid and motivated.
Oman is one of the undiscovered jewels of the world and perfect for off road motorcycling. The Omani Arabs are sensationally friendly and helpful - I crashed my bike big time in the middle of nowhere - local passing Arab in Landcruiser deposited his large family elsewhere, returned with rear seats removed and drove me and the bike 200kms to hospital, refusing any payment and stopping at his cousins for a huge lunch where I bled profusely all over the Friday feast.
Oman is very quiet compared to Dubai - you can buy anything you want in Dubai KTM/XR/RG etc etc less so in Muscat. Tourism is starting to expand but the country is far from spoilt yet.
The distances to the Wahiaba sands from Muscat is about 300kms I think and I was quite glad to have a bike compable of blasting home on the (very good) road after a weekend falling off in the dunes. Also a bit of road bias in the bike is good because a lot of the interesting places are at the end of gravel graded tracks which an RG12S would lap up. A KTM would be perfect just in the Wahiba Sands but there is a lot more to Oman than that - if you like occasionally hussling a big bike through sand a la Stephane Peterhansel as I do then a big BMW would be ace for exploring Oman. There is a BMW dealership in Muscat but if you already know and love your own BMW which is sorted then I'd import that, especially if your company give you a shipping allowance as mine did.
There is an off road bike club in Oman for expats which organises a lot and is easy to join but because of the unpredictability of my work (and I knew if ever I ended up in the guano a local would gladly help me out) I always travelled the whole country on my own.
I could write essays for hours on Oman - if you have any specific questions let me know

Last edited by Dick; 4 Sep 2006 at 13:41.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 4 Sep 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 155
I too lived in Oman, from 1979-1987. We absolutely loved it and I believe it has only improved in that getting in and out is easier. Why not buy a bike in Dubai and drive it down? The camping was wonderful and there are always 4WD's around. I had a Honda 750 4 and loved riding. However the summer is incredibly hot and riding a bike is not viable - you fry. The winter is just perfect.The only thing I regret was leaving. One word of advice, when you get there make enquiries about hashing. No it's nothing to do with drugs, it's a running club that has a drinking problem, or perhaps that should be a drinking club with a running problem. You'll understand when you see it, hashing is worldwide but a bit "underground". Great fun and a good way to get to know everyone.
I envy you going.
__________________
Tim ('91 R100GSPD)

The only baggage you carry should be in the panniers
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 5 Sep 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Cairo
Posts: 187
All of the above…

Most of the bikes around these parts are 600 sports bikes and Harleys, so if you can bring parts with you do so. I imported my own tyres (the dramas associated with trying to order them through a Dubai bike shop had me contemplating arson), chain and sprockets, and air and oil filters. You will go mad trying to find the right sized internal circlip or a good fuel filter or whatever...if it's lying around and can go in the shipment bring it. Riding gear is very expensive – bring your own. Bags, panniers, mounts for GPS or any accessory you think you might need - bring it with you.

It will be useful if you can do some simple service jobs yourself as the BMW dealers in Oman and the UAE are expensive and crap (tyres on backwards, forgetting the oil filter cover gasket, over-tightening sparkplugs…you get the idea). The Harley shops tend to be run by bike nuts and you are likely to get better service there. I would definitely not get serious work done on my bike at a Gulf BMW workshop. The BMW shops are more keen to sell you a pair of $300 boots or service a 7-Series. Anything you can stick in your shipment you should try to do. If they’ll let you bring oil do so.

I would agree the big dual-sport is the way to go. Long hot distances need to be covered in Oman to get to the good places. The roads are excellent and the off-road stretches are fine for your GS (as long as you stay out of the sand).

I also agree it is better to bring your bike with you. The selection here is very thin. You could easily buy a new BMW (or a KTM in Dubai), but if you want any other make or if you want used there is almost no choice.

If you want to go for a ride in January, the sand hill climb is on in Liwa in the UAE – hell fun.

Cheers
Brett
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 24 Nov 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: manchester
Posts: 2
oman reunion thread

I was in Muscat in this summer and had a look around the zubair show rooms ,they have all the latest yamahas ,xt's ,yfz,wrf at a reasonable prices around 2000 rails for a new wrf450 ,there was a ktm dealer close to the porsche garage in the ministeries area but I don't now if its still there.
Saf beachclub my former home ,what a shame.
I don't think I,ve seen you Richard since we left you hitchhiking from mont gienvre,how's things.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 24 Nov 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: worcestershire,uk
Posts: 150
Hi Rapiersurfer

very well thank you

take a look at www.richeaton.com and the whole story is there

be nice to get in touch
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Iran, UAE, Oman - Carnet? Margus West and South Asia 5 29 Jun 2007 10:24
reenter oman from yemen/travel permits in yemen? mar Middle East 0 27 Jul 2005 16:23
Ferry from Iran to Oman? Margus Middle East 4 21 Jul 2005 03:15
Iran, UAE, Oman - Carnet? Margus Middle East 1 14 Jan 2005 14:07
East Africa -> Yemen -> Oman -> Iran cornepol Route Planning 2 11 Jun 2003 04:16

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:41.