Hey Craneguy I too am working on the airport project and currently ride a Kwak KLR650.... if you go in or out of SQ entrance i've probably flown past you at one of the speed bumps. I've been here since September and am a very happy biker although the sand on the roads can catch me out on occasion (thank feck i'm not on my usual 1000cc sportsbikes!) If you are interested in a beer so I can tell you all about it then give me a shout (I live at Dolphin village) and I can sum up my experiences of Muscat so far. Also, I am selling the KLR as I won't to move to CRF or something similar (i.e. off-road with some on-road rather than on-road with some off-road). Hope you're enjoying the place!
According to the regulations referenced on the USEPA site, there are relaxed rules that apply to motorcycles and recreational vehicles with displacements below 50cc. However, these small engines must still be certified and labelled according to US regulations. So unless the manufacturer has registered the engine with the USEPA, and the bike has the stickers, the customs inspector in the US will probably flag it. This set of regulations applies to NEW motorcycles. If you are a real masochist, you can read the regulations here http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/40/90 NOW, you may be able to bring in a limited number of USED, small off road motorcycles (nonconforming engines) under these regulations.40 CFR 90 - CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM NONROAD SPARK-IGNITION ENGINES AT OR BELOW 19 KILOWATTS (that's under 25 hp) http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/40/1054.630 (You should read this one, especially SubPart G) Enjoy!
Took a fun ride with my friend, Mike, yesterday morning. From near the airport, we went to the back Expressway, north to the end near Barka. Took a left at the roundabout toward Halban. At that point the road becomes narrow and a bit bumpy. It also features some great dips, two very short sections of dirt, and a few nice sweeping turns. Not much traffic either. We went up to the Barka-Nakhal Rd and retraced our route. 29 km one way. Word to the wise. Best ride this one soon, as they are building a new road, and while work is going slowly, eventually this little gem will be replaced with a flat, smooth, straight and boring piece of blacktop.
Sounds like it was fun! Do you guys do it often? Getting very frustrated not being able to find anyone to go for a ride with out here
Did some off and on road riding in Ibri last weekend, some great routes. I've did a bit of touring around Oman on my KTM 990 traveling one time from Qatar, although i am now a little closer in UAE. Great country, great scenery and the nicest people in the middle east.
Since I returned to Adv rider, and introduced myself on the couple of the local ME threads not so long ago, I have been having a "proper" look at some of the Omani options for bikes, having been here two years and missing two wheels, as opposed to just the day dreaming part and browsing dubizzle. Now I've got my act together it looks like I might be sent to a new posting for a while, so instead of the info going to waste perhaps some of you guys might be interested. At the recent oman motor show they did indeed have a Super Tenere on display. Having tracked the Yamaha guy down it turns out they had 2 or 3 but they have been sold already to a couple of indian guys. I was at the dealer this lunch time and he said he should be getting more in May. don't know how many. Price will be approx OMR6300 inc registration, 3rd party insurance, and a cheap helmet, maybe also first 1000km service. Based on UK prices that is pretty good considering the lack of alternative options. World crosser not available. Service parts shouldn't be a problem but tyres will probably have to be got in Dubai. Also there are 2 Omani guys from Oman Riders that are potentially interested/could be convinced to sell their BMW F800GS, and R1200GS. If I remember correctly they are 2012, 2011 sourced from dubai and they are looking at OMR 6K and 7K respectively, with current insurance etc. A few extras like crash bars included. Prices are not so keen as they were reluctant sales based on the fact that their wifes didn't like sitting on the back of them! Oil and filters changed, K&N filters installed, but doesn't look like they've done valve clearances etc. No official BMW service here. I've read that the 800 valves clearances can be a little tricky as the access is a little difficult. Coinicidentally they do appear on youtube, and one guy is riding one in what appears to be the sea. I've been assured that that is not the one for sale! You can find those guys at Oman riders. Or on FB. I can let you have one of their names if you are interested. But at those prices it makes the KLR for sale seem a relative bargain though, especially for short term use. Hope this info is of use/interest to at least one of you. Cheers Mike
If you live in Muscat and ride motorcycles, you will eventually go to As Sifah. This map shows various possibilities, from the perspective of my residence in Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos (MQ) area. 1. From MQ, take the main highway toward Ruwi, (purple route) exit to Hamriya, then look for right turn to Yiti. Wind through narrow city streets, straight as possible to sudden uphill...the old Yiti Rd. Narrow, curvy, ups and downs...a blast. Follow signs to As Sifah for more of the same. 2. Alternatively, from MQ, take back expressway (blue route) toward Seeb, then Amerat exit. Wind up the switchbacks and over the mountains to Amerat. Follow signs to Quriyat. Take exit for Wadi Mayh and wadi route to Yiti. This is mostly a dirt road (yellow shaded on map) with a few dips and turns. It ends at the main road to Yiti. Take a right there to go to As Sifah. 3. Many other ways to/from, notably the Qurm Heights highway to the port of Muttrah (green route), and from there to Bustan palace area, and on to Qantab. At Qantab roundabout, take a right to get on track for Yiti and As Sifah. All highly recommended on a quiet Friday morning. Just watch out for the goats on the road in Khairan!
Would any of you folks in Oman venture into Yemen? I'm trying to get my GSA from Romania to India via the middle east. I wanted to ferry from Djibouti to Yemen. Sounds like I might find some hostiles on the coast road? What are your feelings about the area and riding a fully loaded Beemer with a US passport? Thanks for the help!
I have friends, US citizens, who work on a contract near Salalah (southwest Oman). They have been there over 5 years. In general, they advise against traveling near the Oman-Yemen border. Southern Yemen is in small scale armed revolt. Traveling alone on a bike, without escort, would be ill advised. I would think it would make more sense to get boat passage for yourself and your bike from Djibouti to Salalah or Duqm in Oman. Travel in Oman (and the UAE) is safe. However, how do you plan to get to India from Oman? You should be advised, for example, that it is unlikely you will be granted passage through Saudi Arabia on a motorcycle. So riding around the north of the Persian Gulf is not an option. Boat passage from Muscat or Dubai to Karachi might be possible. All in all, it's a tough place for uninterrupted travel.
Further to the query regarding riding the coast of southern Yemen. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/29/us-yemen-violence-idUSBRE90S0PU20130129 But don't worry...just put a US flag on your bike and wave. :eek1
Hahahaha, always a great idea!!! I'm looking into boat passage from Dubai to India. Saudi is not possible by bike right now. Iran seems intriguing as well but I need to be part of a group. I'll avoid Yemen completely. I just needed to hear it from the streets!!!
Do you have any suggestions on where to find ferry/boat information? Djibouti to Salalah would be ideal!
I think you may be able to book passage on a cargo ship. go to http://www.jocsailings.com/ Enter origin as Djibouti, destination as Salalah, date range as 120 days. You will get a substantial listing of ships that are making that route. There are 2 main carriers. One, explicitly offers tourist bookings. See: http://www.cma-cgm.com/ProductsServices/Cargo-Cruises/
Perfect dude! That is just what I needed. Believe it or not I've been to Salalah before and feel comfortable heading there. Ideally I'd like to be on the boat with my bike. I heard the dhows can be a bit dodgey going through pirate waters but it's hard to filter fact through speculation. I'll look for something bigger if I can. Thanks again.
Well the deal is done! I ship out in 2 weeks! Look forward to meeting some of you sand-box players. Keep your eyes open for Dual-Sport bikes for me!!!! What's the availability of MC clothing like? I'd rather not drag all my gear over there.
Hello from Bulgaria. Im sorry if it is not the topic, but you're right people. Scheduled trips from Bulgaria in Europe, Morocco, West Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal. Due to the situation in Mali, I changed my plan. On September 1, 2013. I toured through Turkey to Iran for 25 days and take a ferry to Oman in Bandar Abbas E (Iran) where for about 7-8 days to travel your country. My thousands of questions arise, I will go by Tigger Trumf 900 Is there a ferry Iran-Oman, the price of gasoline there. How safe temperatures in September what to expect, you can sleep in a tent in the desolate landscape. How much money will be needed for 10 day stay. Could you advise me on where to visit places or routes I was in Jordan, Turkey, Syria, Tunisia and Europe, attracts me your world with exotic raw nature and kindness of the people. I will appreciate any of your advice.
I know of a ferry from bandar Abbas to ras al kaimah in UAE which is a short enough journey into Oman.
Oman is a beautiful, safe and easy country to travel in. Get here quick before the secret is out Petrol is 112 Baisa/18 UK pence/ 22 Euro cents a litre. Basically it is very cheap It will still be very hot in September, high 30s and low 40s. Not impossible travelling conditions but it means you have to be sensible and cautious with regard to dehydration Holidaying here can cost literally as much or as little as you want Expensive hotels are very expensive, cheap hotels are very cheap - both with good reason Same goes for food although beer bought in restaurants or hotels is always very very expensive But without buying beer, you can budget from 5 US $ a day through to 10,000 US $ a day But that is all irrelevant. Omanis are widely acknowledged as the friendliest people in the Gulf and for that reason alone it is worth coming here as a respectful visitor (unlike the frickin idiots who arrive daily on the cruise ships but that's another story !)
