Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Middle East
Riding in Dubai? Riding in Dubai?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Middle East Topics specific to the Middle East countries, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman and the Emirates
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 28 Aug 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: London, England
Posts: 24
Riding in Dubai?
Hopefully someone that stays in Dubai or nearby can tell me please - what're the riding conditions like there? I have a GS1200 andmight be relocating out there. Is it worth bringing my bike with me from the Ukor should I consider buying one out there?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Aug 2006
Stephano's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 887
Boxertwinuk

Riding broadly falls into 2 categories here: on-road and off-road

On-road is almost exclusively good condition tarred surfaces. Off-road is mainly sand tracks/dunes but rocky wadis (dry riverbeds and valleys) are an option.

There are also subcategories such as MXing (off-road) on a track, track days at Dubai racetrack or parking a Harley outside the Hard Rock Café.

BMW would say that your bike could do either on or off-road but I’m assuming that you would ride it mainly on tarmac and occasionally in some wadis or on sandy tracks if the tyres were appropriate and you didn’t mind dropping it.

There is a fairly active BMW club and a few destinations that you can visit on a regular basis. However, the UAE is a small country so on-road riding is limited and could get boring quickly. The most fun is off-road on a lighter bike such as a KTM or Honda which you can buy here.

If I were you I would ride my 1200 over here for the experience and to have it around as and when needed (you can always ride it back again by another route) but also buy an off-road bike for the weekends.

Weatherise, humidity makes summer riding unpleasant but most of the year it is fine.

Finally, UAE roads are safer out of cities but quite dangerous for bikes within built-up areas.

Stephan
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 28 Aug 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: London, England
Posts: 24
Thanks for that, I have a lighter off road bike as well - a Husqvarna TE610E for off roading and I do use my GS for light off-roading as well. I'm not happy selling my car either and might look at getting it shipped over...is this relatively expensive to do?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28 Aug 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: London, England
Posts: 24
I meant to ask are there any taxes or Carnets required for bringing vehicles into the country?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 28 Aug 2006
Stephano's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 887
Best not to
Re: The Car
Don't bother unless it's got AC and even then I'd be cautious. UK spec cars could find the heat over here very punishing.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 28 Aug 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: London, England
Posts: 24
Well the car has AC and is a year old, running on fully synthetic oil I would think it should be okay...is there any carnets req'd for cars & bikes?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 28 Aug 2006
Stephano's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 887
As a general rule, the UAE doesn’t levy duty on imported personal items. I have also brought in commercial goods on a small scale and not been charged duty. However, things change so you could e-mail the UAE Automobile Touring Club which is the organisation here that issues carnets and see if you can get a reply out of them. You won’t need a carnet for the UAE but as for import duties…

atcuae @ emirates.net.ae

A close friend imported her car from Florida 9 years ago and doesn’t recall any difficulties.
Stephan
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 28 Aug 2006
Stephano's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 887
Where's your steering wheel?
I think being right-hand drive might be an issue for long-term importation as opposed to just travelling through. Try to check that specifically as they drive on the wrong side here.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 28 Aug 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: London, England
Posts: 24
From what I've been told, I can't register a RHD vehicle in Dubai - they won't allow it...so I need to figure out of they'll let me bring it in and use it...

Thanks for the help Stephano.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 4 Jan 2007
Sheikyabooty's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Bristol
Posts: 67
Hi guys I have just bought myself a dakar and am a new rider in dubai, and from all the tales I keep hearing about riding in Dubai its kinda making me wary of riding in Dubai. I have lived and been driving here for the past year and a bit, so I understand the mentality, but I would like some hints and tips and maybe meet up.

Sam
__________________
“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J. R. R. Tolkien
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 4 Jan 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Dubai
Posts: 11
Hi Sam,

Although I dont have a bike at the moment, I spent four years riding around Dubai on my Triumph Daytona. The traffic is pretty crazy, but to be honest I had bigger scares riding round Paris a couple of years ago! I fully intend to get another bike as soon as possible, partly due to the traffic congestion and partly because I miss riding!!

The old saying that 'loud pipes save lives' is especially true here! If they can hear you, at least they are aware that you around somewhere! Basically never assume a thing with traffic here. Due to the huge number of nationalities driving on the roads, you will see some truly amazing stupidity. I do wonder sometimes how anyone can be so stupid, but its a fact of life that the driver training is pretty useless and the driving tests vary from 3 minutes to 10 minutes (I am serious!) Riding defensively (or offensively) will come very quickly to you as the learning curve is steep!

There is a group that do ride outs most weekends. I think its mostly road bikes (sports) but there seems to be a number of off road and dual purpose bikes as well. You can check the forum out on www.biggles.net

Hopefully see you out on the road soon!

Porridge
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 13 Jan 2007
Stephano's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 887
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheikyabooty
Hi guys I have just bought myself a dakar and am a new rider in dubai. I would like some hints and tips and maybe meet up. Sam
Sam, I've just bought a road bike so drop me a line if you'd like to go for a ride somewhere. Stephan
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 14 Jan 2007
Sheikyabooty's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Bristol
Posts: 67
Thanks for your responses guys, its nice to know other bikers are out there. Stephano, I shall definetly be dropping you a line soon, as I need to rack up some miles. I also have some offroad training on the 19th with BMW which would be nice.
__________________
“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J. R. R. Tolkien
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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
Riding Jackets - New Design - Need advice Kiwirider Camping Equipment and all Clothing 19 18 Sep 2006 17:39
Buying bike in Dubai... or UK? JFL Middle East 3 4 Apr 2006 00:01
Riding in Colombia Werner South America 5 11 Sep 2005 05:57
Adventure riding on a DR-Z400? lmonsanto Which Bike? 2 27 Mar 2005 03:08
A helmet music solution that works while riding TerryMoto Equipment Reviews 0 20 May 2004 03:38

 
 

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
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
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.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

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 travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

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!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



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

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 03:44.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top