Ready to go!
 

Hi Folks,
I am, actually we are, almost ready to go. We'll visit Iran, UAE, S.Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and if we still have money and time, Oman, Qatar and Yemen as well.
More info can be seen on www.ortadoguturu.com

However, we have a small concern about the the tyres. Do we have to carry a set of tyre or not? A set of tyre is about 11-13 kg. I m still not decided. Is it possible (and easy) to find tyres in the countries that I've mentioned above?

I really need your advice.
Thanks

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ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ortadoguturu.com

[This message has been edited by ozhanu (edited 10 February 2006).]

Hi!

Just a question: do you think you'll find unleaded petrol at Syria - Lebanon - Jordan?

Thx!

Szabi

Hi santhasz
Didn't you get my e-mail? I dont have cat.convector so I dont worry about unleaded petrol. However, I am pretty sure that you can find unleaded in Syria and Lebanon. Just go to www.visualtourist.com and ask on the forum.

Good Luck
ozhan u.

Yes! I wrote you a mail. Thx for answer! maybe when you are back you'll tell me exactly :-)

Tyres, unleaded petrol and most other things are readily available in the UAE. Blue cheese is scarce at the moment.

You might want to relax a bit with the time schedule mentioned on your website:
"If we have the suitable visa we are planning to stay in UAE for 3 days to see Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dabi."

[This message has been edited by Stephano (edited 14 February 2006).]

Tires: i wouldn't take spares, well if, then only one rear (like i did on my Iran expedition) if i'm not sure wether they manage the mileage into&back to civilized world.

Contact any of the UAE motorcycle dealers or BMW (you're going with F650GS right?) before going, i'm 90% sure you'll get new tires and fitted in Dubai and even maintanence done you you aren't tech-minded yourself.

Don't worry about leaded - you find only very few fuel station have unleaded in Iran, but you'll definately don't have any problems with it unless you don't have lambda (o2) sensor or catalythic converter, like i did, but still your BMW bike will keep going even if you've badly damaged them running thousands of kilometres of leaded - it just it affects lower rpm power and makes some more valve noise on hard acceleration.

Have fantastic great trip - Middle East is plain stunning region to discover with bike especially if you represent the male species ( ;)) - the friendliness and welcoming of people is absolutely unparalleled what i've experienced! Don't listen even the word from the warlords US and western world's propaganda about their people, you'll find the reality is much much different if you finally are there yourself and face to face with them.

Any questions you may have about Iran let me know.

Good luck and ride safe!!!

Cheers, Margus (jelous as well ;) )

[This message has been edited by Margus (edited 14 February 2006).]

Hi,
Thanks for advices and comments.

Margus: I've just came back from UKGS'ers meetin in Middlands. We also talked about your unpleasent accident on the way back from Iran with TheMadProfessor. I define my self good a good mechanics, so I can do the maintaince. I have F650. I'll start with brand new tyres, chain and sprockets, however, last year when I am riding to Chesterfield (app. 60-70 miles from my home) I had a tyre flat. Not only flat there was a big tear (12 cm long) on my back tyre while I was riding about 60mph. A big piece of metal on the road was the reason. So, this is why I am concerning about the tyres. It took my 5 hours to go to nearest town, get a new tyre and replace it, even in England.

Stephano: About Timing/ We really want to stay more in UAE. Depends on trip conditions. If we save some time from obtaining visa, we definately wanna stay more.

Thanks again.

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ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ortadoguturu.com

[This message has been edited by ozhanu (edited 14 February 2006).]

Ozhanu,

Don't skimp on time.If you get to UAE definately save min 3 days for Oman.Fab place.Circular tour possible.

You can also get tires in Muscat. Thay have a Big BMW dealership and are very helpfull. They've replaced my rear wheel bearing, 1150GS. The manager is Adam, a Scotish guy.
It is also the largest BMW showroom(Cars) in the middle east.
There are also Honda and Yamaha dealers.

good luck

Hi jc,
Thanks for your useful infos. However, now we are stucked with Saudi Arabian visa. Is there any (I mean ANY) way to get it? Because, we want to travel from UAE to Bahrain and then from Bahrain to Jordan. So, we need 2 transit visa.. I really wish to have this visas. Otherwise, there is no other route to cross the Arabian peninsula.

Any advice is very welcome


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ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ortadoguturu.com

You may try one of the travel agents that facilitates things for Haj pilgrims.

No guarantee they can help sponsor you though.

Try Google for "Haj sponsors"

Here is one I found. I don't know anything about them.
http://www.darelsalam.com/

In Lebanon...the Roman ruins at Baalbek are very impressive and worth a visit. I also enjoyed Beirut.

[This message has been edited by Orson (edited 26 February 2006).]

Thanks Orson,

But the haj season is gone! So, there is only a possibility to apply for Umra visit. I'll try everyway that is possible.

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ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ortadoguturu.com

Ozhan Merhaba;
SA vizesi,
As far as I know you need an invitation letter to get the visa. I was there for work and that was the only way 2 years ago. Good luck.

Tires, chains etc..
Plent of them available over here in Istanbul...

Have a good ride.

Merhaba Burak,

I know some people actually who traveled across the S.A. Benka Pulko was one of them for example. I dont know how did they get the visa, but, I'll find it out.

I am sure that I can find whatever I want in Turkey, however, it might be hard to get some parts on some ME countries. Anyway. Just check our website for more info:
www.ortadoguturu.com

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ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ortadoguturu.com

Hi ozano

Your other option is to go around SA. UAE, Oman, Yemen, ferrie boat to Djibouti, Etheopia, Sudan, Egypt, Jordan. How do you like that, sound like a good trip to me.

SA is a pain, they refused us a transit visa to go to Barain GP from Dubai, reason was they do not give transit visa to bikes, but many others go to Quatar through SA?

Sorry I cant help you

Hi jc,

I thought the same route today in the work. If we could sort the visa problems for mentioned countries (Oman-Yemen-Etophia-Sudan--Egypt) then we'll probably do that route.

However, I have my carnet and I paid 500% deposit. But, for Egypt it is 800%. Can I pay the rest at the border and get it back when I come back?

Last question: Is there any ferry between Egypt-Jordan?

Thanks

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ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ortadoguturu.com

Nuweiba <-> Aqaba, Didn't use that though but went through Israel. No problems getting through Syria or back to Saudi with the same passport. You can ask the Israelites to give you a paper to stamp instead of stamping your passport. If you want to be 100% sure of getting through Syria, use the ferry.

Wow thats a lot of distance in a very short time. Looking at your intended itinerary I would skip Teheran as there is nothing much to see and spend time somewhere else (e.g. include Yadz or stay overnight in the zagros mountains norht west of Shiraz with nomands - bring tent and cooking gear). Iran is fantastic!

Is Egypt written in your carnet as a country where the carnet is or is not valid? Border staff have no way of knowing how much money you had to deposit and it isn't their concern. The carnet must be valid for Egypt. Normally, you have to state the countries you want to visit when applying for the carnet.

Hi beddhist,

On my carne (got it from RAC, UK) there is a small list where it does not valid and it says "Except Iraq, Israel, India and Pakistan"
So, according your post, I can use my carne in Egypt as well. Am I right? Less than a week left and I am quite excited...

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ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ortadoguturu.com

[This message has been edited by ozhanu (edited 23 March 2006).]

Strange, I would have thought that if you haven't deposited enough money for India then it's not enough for Egypt. Almost sounds like they made a mistake. Good for you.

hi all..
i am in Venice now waiting for the ferry to Greece. I should have the one which was this morning but unfortunately my rear suspention has been broken in france near strasburg.

i went to a service in verone, italy and he said it will take 5 days to get e new one. anyway i will change it in Turkey. first day i rode 22 hours and slept only 2 hours in a toilette in switzerland. even so i missed the ferry:(



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ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ortadoguturu.com

Nomads
 

How can I organize this staying with nomads thing and how much do I pay them? Thanks :)

whats the status of your Saudi visa ? If you ever manage to get into this country, and going to Bahrain then pls do drop in to my place for some coffee and a chat (sorry can't offer you beer:oops2:)

I'm located at Al-Khobar and its the city from where the bridge (causeway)to Bahrain starts from.

cheers
Vick