Hello all,

This is my first post. I'm from the UK and am a keen motorcycle rider, I currently own a 2016 Street triple R and believe it or not I tour on that to Scotland, wales etc.

But soon I'm moving with work to Oman (Nizwa) and wondered what type of riding I will be expecting out there. I also ride Enduro bikes in the UK so enjoy Off road too.

I have tried to find some information online about Oman but seems rather limited, additionally I cant find much information regarding motorcycle sales or access to motorcycles. I was wondering if I could ship my Street triple out and run it out there on UK plates.

Speak Soon regards Churchy

Hi Churchy


Well there's not much going on in Nizwa, that's for sure. You'll probably be lacking in ex pat connections there but that's not always a bad thing. The scenery and geology in Oman is amazing, the roads are generally very good and I'd have thought ideal for touring on a bike - not entirely sure because only now, 25 years after moving to Dubai, and three months before I leave, have I decided to get my bike license!. (Because I might need one in Africa)


No, you can't run your bike there on foreign plates, and I'm not sure about the regs for import but will ask an old friend of mine who lived there for years and is a keen biker, what the regs are. I'll need a few days to find out though.


You can get pretty much anything you need for your bike in Dubai, and that's a few hours ride from Nizwa but through great scenery. And it can be couriered to you from Dubai in 24-48 hours anyway, or just couriered in from the UK, if you need anything.


Oman's a lovely place, very safe, marginally better road manners than the idiots in Dubai - though I'm not sure how bike savvy - but I do know there are definitely motorcycle clubs there so you can make contacts once you get there. Lots of MotoX type opportunities in the Wahiba sands, and a lot of mountain tracks to explore too, I think you'll enjoy it.


Give me a few days, I'll try to find out more.

Thanks for your reply, That would be great if you could contact your friend.

In essence I can sell my STR in the UK and buy something in Oman that would suite me better. I could see myself on a scrambler/Dual sport bike with a tent on the back and do a spot of wild camping in some amazing places over the weekends.

Is there a boarder between Oman and Dubai??? Or could I simply drive/ride there from Nizwa?

Sounds like meeting experience Ex pats from Muscat with the local knowledge would be a good thing?

Would it be acceptable to buy a bike from Dubai and use in Oman as online there seems much more options than Oman.

Only bike sites I can find is OLX in Oman. Dealers seem thin online.

Thanks Regards Churchy

Hi there


Seems 2017 will be a year with lots of changes. From daily rain to cooking heat


I am in Dubai and ride 1200 GS. Our group is nearly every weekend in Oman, Nizwa area because the riding is unbelievable fantastic.
Endless offroad, fantastic mountains, hikes, canyoning etc
All around Nizwa


My advise : sell your bike and buy a new one here. Or a second hand one (check dubizzle)


You can buy your bike in Dubai and export to Oman or buy locally.


There is a border between Oman and UAE. It used to be a formality but nowadays its getting harder and harder. With a bike though, nu Q straight to the front.


Depending on your bike, you can join Dubaigroup and join them whenever they come to Nizwa area.


If you have specific questions, shoot


Good luck with new job, Oman is a great place to live

Oh yeah !
I second that.

Thanks so much for your information I have a MASSIVE list of questions. I am currently going through contractual aspects at work at the moment but should be there in June 2017 just when it gets Warm I've heard lol. I will think of a list of questions and get back to you sorry if they sound Odd.

Thanks kindly

Looking forward I cant PM you at the moment because I haven't posted enough (spammers) but ill be in touch soon.

One question myself and a few work colleagues have, How have you been talking to family and friends in the UK. any apps or social media work?

Hi Churchy


Email, phone, whatsapp and packages.
Com is way cheaper from ME to Europe than vice versa


I even send occasional snail mail letters and it works :-)

thanks, wondering which provider is best for packages

will what's app do voice calls without a vpn? if not which vpn works well? thanks

Pretty much al VPNs work out here (so my friends tell me ;-) ) and there are many other ways round the loopholes, don't worry about it. We Skype with our daughters at Uni quite often., also Messenger, Whatsapp, etc. BBC iPlayer, film streaming, torrents etc. It's not an issue.

Notes from my motorcycling friend


Import is pretty straightforward. On arrival of the vehicle at port, there will be a customs assessment based on the documents provided. After that, he has to take the bike on a trailer [not to drive it unregistered] to the registration authority for a fitness and verification [VIN, engine #]. Once that is done, get the insurance, pay the registration fees and you are done.


BTW - if the bike is imported in UAE, then get a clearing agent to process the customs paperwork as it will require a import-cum-re export permit.



Vision insurance is a good company for bike insurance in Oman for expats. There's a guy called Vincent who is very helpful. +968 99010831 is his contact number.


There's a guy called Ani Varghese who runs KTM/Enfield dealership + workshop in Muscat. He also operates tours for expats and visitors.


Then there's quite a few off road guide books (look for one by a guy called Michael Nott - very good) and a friend of mine called Marina Bruce recently started a tour company there. I'll get you details. More for 4x4s but she knows the area.

thats great, thanks for finding that out for me it's much appreciated.

it looks like I'll be selling the bike in the UK and buying one in oman. I've got some contacts in oman and uae upon which I'll contact once I'm there.

thanks for your time.

Hi Churchy,

as I live in UAE at the moment I can't tell you too much about living in Oman/Nizwa nor about getting a bike in Oman.

However, I wanted to share a video that I just finished about one bike trip to the Hajar mountains about a month ago to give you an impression of what to expect if you're into dual sport/adventure riding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vFMKQKXwuE (lots of sight seeing and story, riding starts somewhere ~8min - I have subtitles ;-) )

Also, just one thing to consider, if you're moving there summer you'll have some time onsite before you "need" to buy a bike as it's too hot anyway. And to evaluate the options onsite is certainly easier then doing it remote.

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http://onforeigntrails.com

Thanks for your time,

That's a great video, I am very much looking forward to getting out there. I will be arriving around June so will have plenty of time as I believe that's the start of a very hot summer. When I have my feet settled we should meet up for a weekend riding/camping. Ill PM you my email if you would like to contact me.

Thanks for your time once again and looking forward to future adventures.

Hey Churchy

Have you moved to Oman? What bike did you buy?
I moved to Oman late last year and now have a CBX 750P. Just wondering if you are still in Oman and found fellow riders!