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Middle East Topics specific to the Middle East countries, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman and the Emirates
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  #1  
Old 20 Mar 2007
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HUBB: Riyadh Saudi Arabia
Hi to all HUBB'ers.

Im a Brit expat based in Riyadh KSA. There are a few bikers here, both expat and local of all nationalities.

If you are looking for advice or travelling through then feel free to drop me a line. Visas are not easy to get for tourists or transits.

There are a few dealers here including an excellent Harley/Buell dealer with an active HOG group.. Riyadh to Dublin road trip last year!, TriStar who have started up what appears to be a professional BMW/KTM dealership, and local Suzuki/Honda/Kawasaki dealers who tend to sell bikes, quad bikes, cars etc.

I'm also interested in establishing a contact with Dubai. Getting parts and spares here in Riyadh is not always easy but we have a company office in Dubai and I would appreciate information from a local in Dubai (looking for Avon Distanzias at the moment for 17" DRZ400SM wheels for example, and some other bits such as handguards, case guards etc).

I travel to Dubai and can pick up if somebody can give me names and addresses.

Thanks in advance

Richard
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  #2  
Old 20 Mar 2007
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Aaaargh - your post comes about two weeks late for me... Am just in Sanaa and will FLY to Amman next WE because I did not get a visa.

Just in order to share: To get a Saudi Visa you'll need an invitation of a Saudi Organisation. I found following possibilities:

- The Harley Club in Riyad is willing to issue an invitiation in case you want to ride a Harley into SA
- The Automobile Association issues invitations as well, but they will have to be contacted by your local Automobile Association and the whole business must be done BEFORE you leave for your trip
- a Dutch guy I know got an invitation from his embassy. However, the German embassy will not issue such an invitation arguing it would not be job of an embassy to undermine the visa policy of another country. As much as I regret not being able to travel SA, I find this point of view fair enough.

Maybe it would make sense to contact the dealers of the other motorbike brands? Or maybe there are other motorbike clubs which would issue invitations for riders of non-Harleys? Or maybe it would make sense to FOUND such a club...?

Regards

Lars
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  #3  
Old 20 Mar 2007
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Visa
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lars View Post

Just in order to share: To get a Saudi Visa you'll need an invitation of a Saudi Organisation. I found following possibilities:

- The Harley Club in Riyad is willing to issue an invitiation in case you want to ride a Harley into SA
- The Automobile Association issues invitations as well, but they will have to be contacted by your local Automobile Association and the whole business must be done BEFORE you leave for your trip
- a Dutch guy I know got an invitation from his embassy. However, the German embassy will not issue such an invitation arguing it would not be job of an embassy to undermine the visa policy of another country. As much as I regret not being able to travel SA, I find this point of view fair enough.
The invitation generally comes from a Saudi government or business organisation and is usually work related. They will write to your local Saudi Embassy requesting issue of a visit visa.

Tourist visas or visit visas for travel are not so easy (i.e. very difficult) to come by, although this situation is slowly changing as Saudi starts to look at the development of tourism.

Your own Embassy will generally not request a visit visa on your behalf unless you have good reason or are well connected.

The Harley dealer here is very progressive and well connected. They promote cultural exchange via the HOG network and welcome riders from other countries. I don't know if they can help with a visa and I think it would only be if you are riding a Harley.

Thats as much as I know.. I'm here on a work visa so not an expert by any means.

Regards

Richard
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Old 2 May 2007
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Riding Bikes in Saudi
Hi Richard,

I was always under the impression that bike riding is not permitted in KSA. Somebody told me that about 2 years ago. He came from Kuwait to Dubai and had to trailer the bike here.

Please let me know what the law is on riding bikes in KSA. I have planed a trip from Dubai to Germany next year. In this new light I might go via KSA instead of Iran.

With regards to your spare parts request: please send me a mail to drwdxb@gmail.com . I will see what I can do. I must warn you though. I am going on leave for 2 weeks as of tomorrow.

Regards

Dirk
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Old 3 May 2007
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Originally Posted by Dirkdxb View Post
I was always under the impression that bike riding is not permitted in KSA. Somebody told me that about 2 years ago. He came from Kuwait to Dubai and had to trailer the bike here.
Hi Dirk

Bikes are not illegal here, there is a growing bike market here (the Saudis love fast motors, cars, bikes, quads). Check out Youtube for some of the wheelies..

However, you need a visitors visa to get across the border and these are not that easy to get unless you are coming here on business and have a sponsor. Plenty of guys drive across from Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE so I don't think the vehicle is the problem.

I think a lot of guys ship their bikes and then fly across KSA if they can't get a visit visa.

I'd check with your embassy for definitive guidance as I am not an expert.

Regards

Richard
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Old 13 May 2007
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Thanks a lot for the info.

Dirk
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