I just arrived in Abu Dhabi to live and work here for 2 - 3 years. One of the things that made me decide to come here is the desert and riding in it. To get me started, a couple of questions:
1. Which bike to buy. It seems that to get into the desert proper there's about an hour of motorway, so a small bike would already get a beating, limiting me then to the around 600 cc bikes.
Also, service and spares are important considerations.
2. Where to buy: secondhand, new, Abu Dhabi or Dubai. If Dubai, problems to be expected with registration?
3. Going out alone is a bad idea, so is there any group or likeminded person out there that is in for a regular spin?
4. Anybody cares to discuss these major issues over a ?

Regards,
Auke

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Auke
http://aukemarieke.blogspot.com

Hi There,
I have been in AD for a little while and if you are looking for a and a chat about AD and biking here give me a call +971501090866.
Jason

Hi Aukeboss
If you really want to have fun in the desert, I'd get something a bit smaller (CRF250 or 450 or a KTM, for example). Most people with smaller bikes get a trailer or a pickup truck and drive out to their favourite riding spots.

That also means you can carry spares, fuel, drinks and a change of clothes etc.

There should be no problem buying any vehicle (car or bike) in Dubai or elsewhere. Assuming you buy a registered vehicle with a road number plate, you 'export' the vehicle to your Emirate of residence. However, in the case of off-road bikes you will have to check whether Abu Dhabi emirate allows a road plate.

As an example, my car is registered in Sharjah but Sharjah does not allow off-road bikes which do not have indicators, mirror, horn etc. to be registered for the road. I got my employer to change my visa to Dubai where the registration laws are more relaxed and got a number plate.

If Abu Dhabi doesn't allow CRF-type bikes on the roads, that would be another reason to get a trailer. Or as you mentioned, get a bigger bike which is more street-orientated (but harder work in the desert).

There are usually good bikes available in Dubai at the main workshops (Gecko, Sandstorm, Motorcycle City) but try dubizzle too.

Stephan

What Stephano said.

To ride the sand you need a light weight but pwerful bike.

The XT660/Dominator types are OK for trails but wayyy too heavy for sand.

Most here ride 4 stroke 450's, either Honda or KTM, and trailer them.

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'Peaches are better than Tanks'

I am also new to AD and keen to ride in the desert.
Are there groups of people / clubs that gather together to do such rides?
Also, can one own a bike here on a non-resident visa?
I stay near the Shangri La but also go to Dubai often. Anyone around let me know and perhaps we can get together for a sometime. Cheers, Hugo

Hi

I am going to be over in Abu Dhabi in the week after Easter and would like to be able to hire an off road bike if possible - with the family so would probably only get to ride out for one day and would plan to do some relatively easy off road . Does anyone know if it would be possible to rent a bike?
thanks

I don't know about Abu Dhabi but KTM in Dubai hire bikes (and organise trips/ guides) they are on now on the Shk Zayed highway next to BMW showroom close to Safa Park junction.

Also if anyone interested I have a Yamaha Blaster ( 2003 model) quad and trailer for sale in Dubai.

Hi

I was in UAE last week and managed to organise a half day ride with James West of Emirates Bike Tours - Emirates Off Road Adventures

I was a complete novice when it came to riding on sand and loved it . I am sure James will be able to help out , he is moving into new premises shortly based on the edge of the desert and will be able to store customers bikes there so no need for trailer.

He reckons you need at least a 400cc .

Right my first post on HUBB and I'm not a biker but an experienced desert driver and co-driver (4x4 and 2x4). I know James as a fellow competitor in the Desert Challenge and he's a superb rider, having beaten Coma and Despres on several occassions. If you want to learn to ride in the desert, I've heard many people recommend him and I've seen him racing and he is good!

Why am I lurking here? Well, something to do with a vague idea of building an overland truck and driving through Africa. "We'll see"

I'd also recommend you look on the website Gulf Petrolheads, the online pitstop for bike, car & motorsport enthusiasts in the Arabian Gulf - Index (it's Gulf wide, not just Dubai) as they have a very active group of desert riders hanging out on there.