Stewn

Hi folks,

I'm moving to AD in January and would like to know what the situation is regarding motorbikes.

How much would I be able to pick up a second hand bike for? (nothing fancy, 125cc or above) And, what are the license laws like there? I only have a provisional UK license (but have driven bikes around Asia for the past 5 years), so I'm presuming I'd have to go in for a test. Any info on this?

By the sounds of it I'm going to be working about 40 mins outside of AD, so I'm really hoping I won't be having to rely on public transport or taxis.

Thanks in advance....

Bob

sounds crazy...those people dont' know how to drive with a car....could be interesting risk...though I'll let others give more details.....welcome to BE though

Meow

If you plan to ride a bike in the UAE, make sure you have top notch medical insurance. And life cover too...

shiva

are you nuts???

there a a few brave/stupid souls who do this,most of them keep a bike for the weekend to get out of town though. besides its WAY to hot in summer to be without air con for even a few mins. a 40 min ride would be like pointing a hairdryer at your face for 40 mins !!!

Stewn

Thanks for the replies so far.

Yeah, maybe I am a bit nuts, but I just love being on two wheels, and I've survived driving in Taiwan for the past 5 years (they can't be worse than Taiwanese drivers.........can they?), so I think I'd be ok.....

Any more info from the good folk on these boards?

shiva

[QUOTE=Stewn;5551933]I've survived driving in Taiwan for the past 5 years (they can't be worse than Taiwanese drivers.........can they?),QUOTE]

yes they can,most thrid world countries have a lot of low speed accidents so death rates arent too high, in the gulf its all high speed accidents so the death rate is about the highest per capita in the world.
seriously getting on a bike here is a big big risk

mydogbitjesus

Hi, I've ridden bikes for 25 odd years and left my 996 in the UK after riding in London for 5 years and all over western europe. Don't know what the driving is like in AD but in Dubai, they would easily be THE worst drivers I have come accross ANYWHERE I've been. I would consider myself a pretty good and defensive rider, never had a smash the whole time I've been riding. I'd have to say I wouldn't even entertain the thought of commuting on a bike here. Keep one for track days and off road maybee, but not commuting, would think you might last a few months before serious injury and you would have close calls every few days, if not every day! Plus you wouldn't make it through summer, it is just too hot for bikes, full stop!
By the way... has there been a thread about the top 20 most annoying things the drivers do here? like even if you leave 10mm of gap between you and the car in front, guaranteed someone will come in at high speed with no indicators and cut you up....?

Miss Eck

I second what mydogbitjesus said ..... it would be suicidal!

If you want a thrill on your bike you could always take up Moto-x which is very popular here, see www.mydubaimotocross.com

Also other bikers go for a big ride out on Friday mornings, so you could take part in something like that as well.

Stewn

Well, you're all painting a pretty grim picture for me here! But I appreciate your advice and warnings. The main reason I'm after one really is for convenience, and the fact that I much prefer riding than driving a car, and I certainly wouldn't be looking for anything too powerful (400 cc tops),....but it's sounding like it may not be the best of ideas in AD....

I'll have to wait till I'm there and check it all out for myself I suppose. It's not that I don't believe any of you, but I just feel I know how to drive in and amongst awful drivers. Here in Taiwan, you see some insane driving day in and day out, and this is where I learned to ride a bike, so I'm pretty used to it.

But, yeah....I hear what you're all saying, nice one

Keep your opinions coming, would be interesting to know what I'm moving to!

MataHari

Don't do it...

The Dean

If you're into the heavier side of biking there is a Hell's Angels chapter (I'm not joking) who seem to have a good time - they meet at the Rattle Snake every Tuesday (I think) from about 9.30pm onwards.

It's a multi-faith and multi-racial crowd, including a number who appear to be devotedly Islamic (if you follow me) which makes their choice of venue all the more interesting...... the Rattle Snake clientele not being known for their devotion to Islamic practices.........

More seriously - if you DO decide to get a bike, be warned. A simple and obvious safety feature (a helmet) appears to signify (in the minds of a number of taxi drivers I've travelled with) that you are somehow more courageous and more of a risk taker, so they enjoy even more the thrill of cutting you up.......

shakh your bootie

There is also an AD chapter - they meet at Hero's but I think only once a month...

Stewn

Maybe I should get myself some leathers, grow a massive beard and get working on a beer gut then.....

Sorry if that fits the description of any of the members on here - no offense, just taking the piss

I'm certainly by no means a 'biker', just use them to get around, and will miss them if I can't drive one in AD. The desert biking seems pretty cool though.....

Confucius

Salary time...

shiva

look its not that were exagerating or winding you up, its not a case of how well you can ride or even what your used to.
Put it this way most of us drive the biggest nastiest 4x4 we can afford so that we dont die!!! not because their cool etc but because we all want as many tons of metal between us and the mad bastards that try to kill us every day.....I kid you not its rare to have a day without a serious near miss here.
Do not ride a bike every day, its not a case of if but when you will get taken out. we're all in duabi and their crazy here but i think i can safely say that we all watch out for abu dhabi plates because they are even worse