motorbiking in UAE

[fpriach]

I am about to move from UK to live and work in the UAE and would like to use a motorbike there.
What are the requirements for residents to use a bike in UAE ?
( Insurance ?, TAX?, MOT?, Helmet ?, Bike Licence ? etc)

[Midlifer]

Don't know if this will help but based on everything I have read and heard about drivers you'll need a death wish

[paul64]

I'd agree with 'midlifer'...
I've seen the driving standard in Abdab and Dubai and I wouldn't want to ride there.
I ride an R6 in the UK and twist and go scooters in Thailand, but in UAE is a no from me. I think the rules are different, Any accident at all will be your fault!!!
Just my humble opinion.
Hope that helps.

Originally Posted by fpriach

I am about to move from UK to live and work in the UAE and would like to use a motorbike there.
What are the requirements for residents to use a bike in UAE ?
( Insurance ?, TAX?, MOT?, Helmet ?, Bike Licence ? etc)

[Deefor]

I'd second the previous replies re safety. I've ridden in the UK for years and apart from the odd temptation to hire a Harley for a day in the middle of 'winter' and go riding at around daybreak on a Friday, even the thought of it scares me.

Save your Dirhams for return trips home and have some fun when you're back there.

The drivers have enough problems seeing each other - a biker stands less chance still.

Sorry

[nikkisizer]

Hello fpriach,

Forget the bike!

You will understand when you get here

[escapedtonz]

Originally Posted by fpriach

I am about to move from UK to live and work in the UAE and would like to use a motorbike there.
What are the requirements for residents to use a bike in UAE ?
( Insurance ?, TAX?, MOT?, Helmet ?, Bike Licence ? etc)

I'd have to agree with people's take on the roads in the UAE.
They are a death trap for bikers.
Every man, woman, dog and teenager drives as big a 4x4 as will fit in their garage. Probably since fuel is so cheap - talking 20p a litre or thereabouts and everyone drives like a crazy person.
To put it in perspective my mate has lived in Abu over 3 years now and drives a H2 Hummer 6.3ltr hemi V8 just so if they hit someone or they hit him they have a chance of not being injured.

They really are crazy mad roads there.
No thought about personal safety or speed.
The same mate also has a Gixer thou k5 in Abu but only rides it to the nearby Yas Island Marina circuit for track evenings or nearby drag strip for quarter mile sprints against all manner of supercars.
It's also way too hot to ride a bike during the day - unless you ride in tshirt n shorts......but who's mad enough to do that eh!!!
Riding a bike in UAE in 40deg C heat in a set of leathers n helmet - no thanks

[damian8]

check with Abu Dhabi Riders they can provide you with all the information you need https://www.facebook.com/abu.dhabiriders?ref=ts

[escapedtonz]

Originally Posted by escapedtonz

I'd have to agree with people's take on the roads in the UAE.
They are a death trap for bikers.
Every man, woman, dog and teenager drives as big a 4x4 as will fit in their garage. Probably since fuel is so cheap - talking 20p a litre or thereabouts and everyone drives like a crazy person.
To put it in perspective my mate has lived in Abu over 3 years now and drives a H2 Hummer 6.3ltr hemi V8 just so if they hit someone or they hit him they have a chance of not being injured.

They really are crazy mad roads there.
No thought about personal safety or speed.
The same mate also has a Gixer thou k5 in Abu but only rides it to the nearby Yas Island Marina circuit for track evenings or nearby drag strip for quarter mile sprints against all manner of supercars.
It's also way too hot to ride a bike during the day - unless you ride in tshirt n shorts......but who's mad enough to do that eh!!!
Riding a bike in UAE in 40deg C heat in a set of leathers n helmet - no thanks

Correction......... Had an email off my mate in Abu this morning n it's 50deg C!!!
Riding in 30deg C through a UK "summer" was unbearable at times on a sports bike with race helmet and a set of leathers.

[lie2me]

It is a bit hot here for leather, so I mesh mesh/hot weather gear. It is a madhouse, I have my zx14 as my only mode of transportation and you really have to ride like everyone is trying to kill you. With that said, this is what I know in no particular order:

Bring your motorcycle license and you can have it translated.
Helmet is the law...get something with Great ventilation/vision or a flip-up.
Dependable shops are hard to find unless you get ahold of the right person(pm me and I can explain whatever you need over the phone.)
Gear is cheaper from home, bring it with you. If you are a XL or above in size, your quest for gear will be neverending. Buy at home and ship it..will likely cost less.
There is a 5% fee on whatever bike you bring from home, there are also other fees that will need to be paid to whoever has arranged your shipping(storage, etc)
Be VERY careful if you plan on buying a used bike, that's all I will add to that one.
Insurance rate is based off of your date of issue on your home drivers license...don't renew before you come over.
Insurance is relatively cheap(I can only compare it to the US.)
New bikes are easily 20% higher than back home...again, I'm comparing the US.
Financing a bike is a painful experience, so I got a loan from the US and paid cash here...it still took 2 months to buy my motorcycle....long story.
As of right now, there are no bikes allowed on Yas Marina circuit. You can do track days in Dubai.
Abu Dhabi is getting a new Ducati dealership in Mussafah industrial area....grand opening is on the 8th, this Saturday. Troy Bayliss will also be there....Sweet!
Qatar motoGP is a quick flight from here too.
Leave the sports cars alone. Everyone who paid $100,000 for their sports car wants to run up on you and prove how fast they are...(like the States too)...just let them go. It's not worth the hassle of losing your bike to impound of losing your Visa. If someone gets hurt while you are racing...you will most likely go to jail and be held accountable.
Traffic cameras are pretty easy to see and coordinate here, but the police also have mobile sites that are used Way more often than I expected.
Get gas early in the morning and split lanes to avoid the heat and traffic.
If you have a loud exhaust...you may want to ship it with a stock exhaust. There is a new law, I'm stock, so I haven't really looked into it.
Don't play around in traffic, folks are quick to cell you in to the local police station.
Have a backup plan...if you have a fender bender or wreck, your bike will be towed.
There are a few places around for modifying motorcycles, let me know if you need anything and I can point you in the right direction. Powdercoating, Dyno, etc...
Motorcycles are allowed to drag race at Yas Marina.

If you have any more questions, or anyone else, just let me know.

Regards
Jeff

[escapedtonz]

Originally Posted by lie2me

It is a bit hot here for leather, so I mesh mesh/hot weather gear. It is a madhouse, I have my zx14 as my only mode of transportation and you really have to ride like everyone is trying to kill you. With that said, this is what I know in no particular order:

Bring your motorcycle license and you can have it translated.
Helmet is the law...get something with Great ventilation/vision or a flip-up.
Dependable shops are hard to find unless you get ahold of the right person(pm me and I can explain whatever you need over the phone.)
Gear is cheaper from home, bring it with you. If you are a XL or above in size, your quest for gear will be neverending. Buy at home and ship it..will likely cost less.
There is a 5% fee on whatever bike you bring from home, there are also other fees that will need to be paid to whoever has arranged your shipping(storage, etc)
Be VERY careful if you plan on buying a used bike, that's all I will add to that one.
Insurance rate is based off of your date of issue on your home drivers license...don't renew before you come over.
Insurance is relatively cheap(I can only compare it to the US.)
New bikes are easily 20% higher than back home...again, I'm comparing the US.
Financing a bike is a painful experience, so I got a loan from the US and paid cash here...it still took 2 months to buy my motorcycle....long story.
As of right now, there are no bikes allowed on Yas Marina circuit. You can do track days in Dubai.
Abu Dhabi is getting a new Ducati dealership in Mussafah industrial area....grand opening is on the 8th, this Saturday. Troy Bayliss will also be there....Sweet!
Qatar motoGP is a quick flight from here too.
Leave the sports cars alone. Everyone who paid $100,000 for their sports car wants to run up on you and prove how fast they are...(like the States too)...just let them go. It's not worth the hassle of losing your bike to impound of losing your Visa. If someone gets hurt while you are racing...you will most likely go to jail and be held accountable.
Traffic cameras are pretty easy to see and coordinate here, but the police also have mobile sites that are used Way more often than I expected.
Get gas early in the morning and split lanes to avoid the heat and traffic.
If you have a loud exhaust...you may want to ship it with a stock exhaust. There is a new law, I'm stock, so I haven't really looked into it.
Don't play around in traffic, folks are quick to cell you in to the local police station.
Have a backup plan...if you have a fender bender or wreck, your bike will be towed.
There are a few places around for modifying motorcycles, let me know if you need anything and I can point you in the right direction. Powdercoating, Dyno, etc...
Motorcycles are allowed to drag race at Yas Marina.

If you have any more questions, or anyone else, just let me know.

Regards
Jeff

Ha ha you just sound like my mate.
He's flying back to Abu tomorrow from NZ and back into the grind dodging people trying to run him off the road or race him across town.
Luckily he doesn't ride during the day unless he's off to the drag strip or Track evening.
Couldn't believe how crazy the driving is over there. Shocking for you guys trying to get about on a bike. Crazy Emiraties