Bike Theft in the UAE - High Risk

[Stephano]

UAE resident bikers will probably be aware of this but visitors might not. There has been a recent heavy spate of bike thefts in the Emirates and the thieves have not yet been caught. Dubai has been the main target but Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah have also been targeted.

The type of bikes stolen suggests that they will be exported or stripped for parts (and then exported). Most are sports bike but not all. My XR400 was also taken.

If you are visiting the UAE avoid at all costs leaving your bike(s) out overnight. And, no, a chain or two won’t help. These are not casual thieves.

http://www.7days.ae/local-news/bikers-alert.html

Stephan

[Matt Cartney]

Shit, bad luck mate. My commiserations.
Matt

[ozhanu]

I am really sorry for your bike Stephan. We'll be in UAE in 3 weeks time and wanna stay in Sharjah, Dubai and Abu-Dhabi. What do you suggest us to keep our bikes safe?

We'll have chains and disk lock for each and I have alarm on mine.

Thanks

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ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ortadoguturu.com

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

[Stephano]

Thanks, Matt. I’m upset. I have a lot of brilliant memories with that bike and spent a lot of time and money setting it up. Looks like I’ll have to enter the 21st century and buy a CRF now when I can afford it.

Ozhan
The stolen bikes are being lifted onto a truck. (Except in my case where they cut two Abus chains and took away my trailer too. My trailer was dumped and recovered at a quiet spot where they obviously added my bike to the truck.)

Logically, with this style of theft, chains and disc locks won’t help you. Until this gang are caught you will need to get your bike indoors or notify (and pay) a watchman wherever you staying to watch it constantly. Whenever possible, park the bike as close to a main entrance as possible.

The alarm will help but it is no guarantee of security.

When you’re in Sharjah, you’re welcome
to stay at my place. You can check out the facilities here. And, no, those aren’t my real teeth.

Perhaps we can set up a sting operation with your bike as the bait! I’m still offering a reward.

[Philippe - Hannibal]

Woaw - nice place - but hey, maybe they did you a favour regarding the bike...as there was not much left of it judging by the pictures!
(j/k - hope you won't mind...)

[brettsyoung]

Sorry about your loss Stephan. I've heard that the cops have a lot of info on these dirtbags. Also, there is a group of heavy Sharjah riders on the warpath (mostly Sudanese - you might know of them).

There is also a problem with the theft of Transalp/Dakars and that sort of bike for the African market where on-off road bikes are popular. One Sharjah used dealer told me a Kenyan guy buys old bikes by the dozen, in any condition, to take back Kenya. As a result, a bike of seven or eight years in poor condition can fetch US$3-4.5K. I worry about my neighbour's KLR which sits out on the street.

BTW, riding through Sharjah yesterday to catch the ferry to Iran in what were the worst conditions I've seen in years. Almost a whiteout with the sand - and I was really frightened at times that I'd get blown off the road or under a truck. Bloody awful.

cheers, Brett

[Stephano]

Hannibal
Those tatty machines are Ralf and Eva’s ancient Yamahas. They seem to like them.

Brett
Thanks for the update. I get nothing here from Sharjah’s finest.

Example: My friend found my trailer at Mamzar. SP came, looked at it and told me to tow it to their pound. Four days later, I collected it at their request and nothing had been done to it. It was exactly where I had left it and completely untouched by forensic staff.

I missed that blowy weather due to being bikeless. Glad you made it to the ferry safely. Have fun in Iran. If you break down or need help anywhere near Lar, most of the Iranians in Sharjah seem to come from there so I could get you some helpful phone numbers. Hopefully, not required!
Stephan

[ozhanu]

Dear Stephan

Thank you very much fot your kindly offer and hospitality. We would like to visit you and have a coffe/. Could you please send me your contact details (e-mail, phone number) to ozhanu[at]gmail.com

See you there!


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ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ortadoguturu.com

[Stephano]

Ozhan
You're very welcome though if you want a in Sharjah you'll be drinking mine.

You can get my e-mail address from the icon above this message. I have sent you an e-mail with my phone number in it.

See you. Stephan

[ozhanu]

Stephan,

Thanks a lot, I got your e-mails. I am not insist about the . Coffee or any other drink would be fine The aim is to see a HU traveller and to have some good time

Hopefully see you there!

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ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ortadoguturu.com

[nael1972]

im sorry for your stollen bike, my bike was stollen in 10/05/2008 from my residence parking it's suzuki M109 2007 model they came in the early morning and left it in pick up or some thing like that, i made a police roport and waiting .

[Stephano]

Originally Posted by nael1972

im sorry for your stollen bike, my bike was stollen in 10/05/2008 from my residence parking it's suzuki M109 2007 model they came in the early morning and left it in pick up or some thing like that, i made a police roport and waiting .

Nael
I'm really sorry about your bike. Try to put as much pressure on the police as you can but I wouldn't expect much from them. I'm not sure what we can do to make them take these thefts seriously. You probably heard about the theft of Robbo's bike in Ajman recently too.

Hopefully you had insurance as it's a newish bike...
Stephan

[Sheikyabooty]

Hey Stephan, I'm really sorry to hear about the bike theft I really feel for you and wish I could help in some way! If there is anything I can do just give us a bell. I will certainly be taking more care of my bike.

[Stephano]

Originally Posted by Sheikyabooty

Hey Stephan, I'm really sorry to hear about the bike theft I really feel for you and wish I could help in some way! If there is anything I can do just give us a bell. I will certainly be taking more care of my bike.

Not me this time, Sam. It is Nael who is unfortunate enough to make his first post about the theft of his bike. That sucks.

I've just managed to get fully comprehensive for my CRF so at least I can relax a bit more; now I only have to worry about my road bike.

Cheers,
Stephan

[Dessertstrom]

Sorry to hear about your bikes.
My XR 500 was lifted out of the company compound, they cut through a chain link fence,pushed it along a storm drain for 100mtrs to a vehicle ( tyre tracks) at night when the compound generators went off mmm???
While at work the labourer came to me and said he had seen a bike like mine near his village ( he had seen my bike before in our workshop ). When we went to his village sure enough it was my bike and within two minutes there was a crowd wanting to know why I was stealing this bike. I said to the labourer, call the Police, when they arrived I was treated like a thief until the labourer was able to get a word in. At the Police station I had to prove it was my bike etc they said they knew who had stolen it and that if I wanted to press charges I would have to leave the bike at the station and it may take some time ( what pressure ?)
All this happened a week before I was due to leave Saudi to go home to the UK so I signed their release papers in front of their head of Police who said to me , you should not leave your bike where people can see it, so I said, I suppose your car is invisible.
I was lucky to get my bike back and had the satisfaction of knowing that who ever stole it, fell off it, by the evidence of scratches all down one side.
There is a second hand bike market here that I know so if you want to send me details of your bikes I will keep an eye open for them.
Cheers
Ian