Kuwait..

[justin limmitz]

Don't suppose there's any GS'ers about in Kuwait is there?
Noticed there's a 'HOG' chapter, but not sure I'd go back to ridin' a harley....not even that crazy thing someone is trying to put together for the Dakar....

 

[Rugged Path]

Your soooo wrong

Hey Just under the limit (Sic),
How wrong you are. The place is swarming with GSers. And I should know cos that's where I bought mine. The local Beemer dealer 'TriStar Motorcycles' in Kuwait City has a couple in the showroom now if you are interested. But, don't believe everything you hear about the place being cheap because of no tax. My bike cost me a fortune.

This is the best time of the year for riding in the middle east. Cool mornings and warm afternoons. Friday morning meets at the Radisson for breakfast. A good mix of nationalities as well.

So, if you are headin this way, welcome. There are rides every weekend, albeit limited in area. I am only 90 klicks south of the border down arabia way. Plenty of offroad areas if you like sand. But the GS don't half get bloody stuck.

 

[justin limmitz]

cheers

Thanks for that, 'rugged path'

I'd been on the net and found Tri star motorcycles...couldn't summon up any prices though.

Did notice a 2002 1150 GS for sale in UAE, after I'd converted from Dirhams(Or however its spelled) it worked out at about £5600...so yeah, wasn't expecting spectacular low prices!!

But you know how it is. I won't be paying too much tax on my wages.

 

[Rugged Path]

Justin,

So, when are you coming over?
There was a 2002 1150GS Adv. for sale from Colonel Nabil who had it in the showroom. Low km reading. Arabs change vehicles with changes in the weather. Porche for the summer and merc for the winter.

Hope to be over Dec 1-3 for a Starbucks, see a movie and have the bike serviced.

No tax, no tax, no tax; how sweet that sounds. More money for fuel.

 

[justin limmitz]

position pending...

Hey Rugged path.

Won't be over kuwait till mid december, pending results on all the blood tests and stuff I'm being put through by my employer...

Obviously my R80GS is staying in the UK and I'll be bike-less for a while when I first get over there. Next time you're at the Hilton beach club / starbucks...I'll be the really pale guy!!

Catch up with yer soon...any info always greatly appreciated!!

Cheers

 

[Rugged Path]

justin limmitz,
Well I will be in for the last time in Kuwait this year next week and flying back to the UK for Xmas & New Year.

The sun seems to have diappeared from the sky this week. The vest was needed under the T-shirt.

Take care.
Steve

 

[Tsiklonaut]

Steve,

can you give any advice getting extended Saudi visa? (not the transit one)

I've heard it's very hard to get a visas for couple if they aren't marryed? (i travel with my girlfriend)

We have a plan going to Iran next year, and ideal way would be to return home via Oman and Saudi Arabia. Not sure how to handle the Saudi visa issue correclty to get more time discovering that amazing country... So we have a lot of enthusiasm about it, but paperwork can stop us easily going there.

I can't use PM here, sorry (not a forum sponsor [poor student as i am ])

Pull me an e-mail if you have any experiences to share i'd be grateful: nemos ÄT mac . c o m

With the Sun, Mo

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Re visa for Saudi:
Generally, Visa can only be obtained on invitation from a company here and as for getting visa for g/f, forget it.
It is an interesting country but hard to get to unless you have a job or a contract or qualify as a busisness visitor.
Good luck.

 

[Tsiklonaut]

Yes, but does the citizen invitation help?

Official Saudi touris centre states that all the unmarried females under 30 years old should have someone to guide (preferrable a male) when entering the country. Which i'd be suit up good for that job.

Mo

Re visa for Saudi:
Generally, Visa can only be obtained on invitation from a company here and as for getting visa for g/f, forget it.
It is an interesting country but hard to get to unless you have a job or a contract or qualify as a busisness visitor.
Good luck.

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Citizen invitation - I guess you mean invite by a Saudi national. Not sure how that works, no experience.
Good luck anyhow.

 

[Rugged Path]

Hi Mo-Tech,
Sorry for the delay, albeit only a few days. Still better late then never. Normally, a tourist visa can be had from the local Saudi Embassy of the country you reside in. I do not think it is possible from a third country. Whether there is such a thing as a transit visa to say, travelling from the UAE to Jordan. I know that the Saudi government is trying to organise tourism as a money spinner; having seen the likes of Oman and the UAE bring in the foreign currency. I work for a Saudi company and even my initial visa application took months (but it was for a work visa). I will enquire from this side what is required and if it can be done.

I do know that if you have a women on the back who is not your wife, it is against the law and you'll likely be arrested. No ifs or buts.

Some people like a bit of a whipping.

I will do a bit of digging and see what I can find out.

 

[Tsiklonaut]

Thanks a million, Steve!

I too think that it should be possible to obtain the VISA if the tings handled on the right way - Saudi isn't one-way prison afterall, normal muslim country.

Our plan for Iran is in the end of next summer, would be excellent to drive via UAE, Oman and Saudi to home. First two countries visas are relatively easy to get.

Looking forward for any info you'll obtain about Saudi.
Thanks again, Mo

 

[Rugged Path]

First day back in work today and things look bleak. Current job is being Saudi-ised and I may be coerced to go offshore. Not bad as it is a 6 x 3 x 6 x 3 week leave cycle. But it could ruin my chances of seeing more of the middle east on the GS. May have to either ship or ride it back to the UK and have it succumb to rust.

So, it could be my last trip to Kuwait this weekend. The shits.

 

[justin limmitz]

hey rugged path.

Fella at tri-star told me your name was steve!!

See what you mean about bike prices!! That used 1200 GS was the same price as a new one. It made the KTM adventure in the shop look very appealing price wise!!

Anyway. Any problems with what to do with the bike..? give us a bell on 6222381, i live near the new hilton resort..and I'll...chuckle,chuckle..."look after your bike for you" !!!

 

[justin limmitz]

Steve,

tried to pm you but it didn't work !!

You're welcome up this way anytime. if you're up this weekend feel free to drop in..just give us a bell first. Don't think its a good idea to put my address on here, but its in Fintas..road 209 off the fahaheel expressway.

 

[Dahoum]

Thanks a million, Steve!

I too think that it should be possible to obtain the VISA if the tings handled on the right way - Saudi isn't one-way prison afterall, normal muslim country.

Mo, I lived there for 11 years until 96. Believe me, what Saudi is NOT is normal - even for a muslim country. And accordiing to friends still there, with the events of the last few years it is worse now.

As Rugged says there is no way you would be even considered for visas travelling as an unmarried couple unless you could get work or visit visas separately and even then you would not be able to travel together as a couple.

My (then) wife and I had a small son at the time and were never bothered when travelling (as long as we had the right paperwork. But any couple in a vehicle especially non Saudi were always hassled even if married.

good luck.

 

[Viking]

Great to read your thread here.... was in Kuwait for nearly 7 years... and that was 20 years ago. got 2 kids who were born there. and wonder what it might be like now after the war and would love to get back and see it.
no chance I know.
But would love the chance to ride those roads and explore.

Dream on I say

 

[Rugged Path]

Hi Viking,
I suppose the only diiference now is that the roads are today smoother, wider and far more busier.
From sports cars to Humvees, Landcruisers to Porche's.

And a fair sprinkling of BMW's and Ducati's. Also bloody expensive.

I will be visiting next week to get a bit of sun.