RC-51 Registered In Riyadh (KSA)

Hi, Everybody.
I just wanted to update my post of Sept. last year, which detailed how I was finally able to bring my bike over to Saudi Arabia from Houston, TX; a process that took 2 yrs. & 4 mos. In Sept. last year,I had it inspected & was then going to get it registered in Riyadh. Well, here is what happened ... .. .
I found out from people at work where to go, to get the bike registered & to get my plates. The place I'd been told was a nearby police station. Turned out that it wasn't & I had to go to a main police station downtown which took care of motorcycle plates. I had all of my Customs documents & copies of my Residency Permit & appropriate drivers licences. By the way, getting a motorcycle licence for a large displacement bike requires a trip to the Interior Ministry & a fingerprint card with a background check that takes 7 - 10 days. As I'd already completed that hurdle a year ago, while waiting on my bike, I was good to go. Or so I thought.
For doing pretty much anything, like opening a bank account, buying a car, etc., you need a letter from your employer that verifies who you are & your position. As is standard, there is a line on the 'Employment Certificate' stating that it is being issued without any financial responsibility on part of the employer. Well, the policeman who looked at my paperwork did not like that & wanted me to go back & expunge it from the letter. This was unusual, as I'd bought a truck, opened a bank account, etc. without encountering any problems with the same standardized 'Employment Certificate'.
Upon bringing this to the attention to the Director of Operations where I work, I was told that it would be difficult to change a standard form format that has been issued to everyone as part of operating procedure in the Kingdom. The Director made efforts to see if he could address this issue at a local level by engaging someone at the issuing authority for my motorcycle registration. After 3 more visits to 2 different police stations, I was given a letter without the offending line & went to the station downtown. After my turn came at the counter, it only took about 15 - 20 mins. for them to issue me my registration card (the size of a driver's licence) & my single standard sized rear motorcycle plate. This process took longer than is usual in my case, & I have no explanation for it. I just think it was God's way of testing my patience. The entire effort had taken about 3 months. In the meantime, I'd been riding my bike without the local registration & carrying all of my Customs documents, etc, in my backpack whenever I went out. I was never stopped.
The weather here in Riyadh is cooler this time of year, with daytime temperatures being 65-75 degree F & about 40-55 degree F at nightime. I managed to cover the entire bike (front, fairings, cowl, lights/blinkers etc), with a clear protective film manufactured by 3M corp. It's really changed it's appearance in that everything is now very shiny, as if I've put 7 layers of clearcoat on it. Kinda like when you laminate your important documents. This protects it from stone chips; the added benefit being that I now have to just dust off or wipe the bike off, instead of washing it before or after a ride. Total cost for this great way to protect my RC was approx. $ 750.00
The other interesting thing I noticed here was that in the Summer, the temperature would get up to 55 degrees Centigrade & whenever I'd switch on the bike ignition, after it stood idle overnight, the temperature display would read from 94-114 degree Farenheit. It usually doesn't have any readout upon initial startup, unless of course, the engine's been run . Interesting. Gas here is the equivalent of 14 US cents/Liter for 95 Octane gas. The only other grade available is 93 Octane, which is about 9 cents (US) per Liter. Both my bike & I love the gas & the price !
Well, that's all for now. Next time I'll post the only really close call I've had on a bike, ever since I started riding on the street 32 years ago.
Take Care & Ride Friendly,
Regards,
Dr. Muhammad Rahi.  

Too bad it wasn't that easy (relatively) to get a bike purchased in another country into the U.S., Dr. Rahi.  The EPA and DOT make it extremely difficult unless you're willing to break a few laws or have tons of money and time (or are U.S. armed services personnel).  

I hear you, Kent. I'll bet you've come across some bikes you wished you could get to the States. When I had my bike inspected, it was just like any other inspection in the USA. It was a large facility in Riyadh, with several bays for cars & 3 dedicated bays for big rigs & bikes. The mechanics were very professional, & the one who came over to ride/inspect my bike wore white cotton gloves. Nice. And those were spotless.
I then had a 20 minute conversation with their Supervisor, who was a Filipino gentleman & an avid motorcyclist himself. My inspection only took 10 minutes, with the obligatory doodads stuck up my bike's exhausts for their (?EPA!!), requirements & the working condition of the lights/horn etc.
By the way. I just got back from a visit to Pakistan after seeing my Mom & attending 2 weddings (but no funeral!), & since family members also came over from the USA, I had one of my nephews bring over all my issues of Sport Rider magazine that I subscribe to & get at my residential address in the States. I do not find your magazine anywhere in Riyadh. I am able to get Cycle World & Motorcyclist & some British bike magazines like 'Bike', etc. I'll have to ask the guys at 'Jarir Bookstores', which is the equivalent to a Barnes & Nobles in the US, to get Sport Rider as well.
Maybe when I'm in L.A. next time to visit family, I can drop by & say hello. I almost did that last year while driving down Wilshire Blvd, but didn't know what the policy is at your place of work & didn't want to drop by uninvited. Let me know if I can do anything for you or the wonderful staff at your office from here in Riyadh. After all, your magazine & your writings & reviews are what kept me sane all those years when I was single & before I got married. In fact, they still are !
Take Care & Ride Safe & Friendly,
Best Regards,
Muhammad Rahi, M.D.