Cool Rap Song about Harley riders

Hi, I stumble onto this video in Youtube. It is a rap song by rappers Prime Time Players titles It's My Harley.

Very cool beat...

Not that Easy

I went to my second class last Friday. The instructor taught me on how to do the number 8. I thought it should be easy. I couldn't recall how I did it 15 years ago but I thought it was not the hardest part of the test.

I was wrong. The number 8 exercise is annoyingly challenging. My first 3 attempts were a complete failure. I couldn't do it at all. Until my instructor told me that the keys of doing it is to let go the clutch, the throttle and the brake. So minus all other controls I just concentrate on balancing the machine and making sure my front wheel is on the white line. It wasn't easy at all. By the end of my class I still was not satisfied with my skill.

I need to train harder next week.

Who can give me AED60,000?

I checked one of the motoring magazines in Dubai recently and it advertises the current market price for FXDB Street Bob is AED53,900. I figured if I were to purchase a new one I will need around AED60,000 with a few must have accessories like helmet, jacket, boot and maybe some parts.

I plan to check out the Dubai HD dealership this weekend and find out what will be the cost if I buy with auto loan. The disturbing thing is, if I take auto loan, banks here will ask security cheque from the borrower which covers the whole loan repayment amount. Sometime when the borrower defaulted a few payments, these blood sucker banks will not hesitate to cash the security cheque without considering the borrower's outstanding amount. The scary part is, in UAE, bounced cheque is a criminal offence rather than civil and the poor borrower can straight away go to jail without trial if his security cheque bounced.

So I can't imagine spending my time in jail just because of my auto loan. However that is how peoples have to face here in Dubai if they want to buy vehicles with auto loan.

The best option is to buy cash. However trying to save up AED60,000 is easy said than done. Will I have the discipline, the will and the patience to save this amount of money?

I think I just sign that security cheque, ride my harley and keep my job. If worst thing happened, I'll go to prison, serve my time, get a tattoo and by the time I can ride free again, I will have one hell of a character as a harley biker...woohoooo

FXDB Dyna Street Bob

I am focusing all my resources to acquire this motorbike. Focus....focus...focus..

The stock version

And the mod version...hell yeahh !!!

First Day Lessons

Last Friday I went to EDI for my first three classes. I thought it is going to be boring theory classes on traffic signs and rules. I was hoping they will just let me ride a motorcycle as I was really anxious to find out whether I still can ride or not. I last rode a motorcycle about 10 years ago. I gave my bike away to my younger brother after I graduated from university.

I was proven wrong on my skepticism. There was no theory class ! After I have been introduced to my instructors Mr Ikmal Khan and Mr Aijad Khan they asked me to choose my helmet and jacket. After a brief introduction on the switches and levers on a bike, the remaining 1 hour was spent on my bike making circles, stop and riding in real traffic together with my instructors and other students.

I was very satisfied to find out that I can still ride and have not forgotten all the skills. In fact my instructor commented that he was impressed to see my performance in my first day.

Last night I downloaded and watched Peter Fonda's Easy Rider (1969) movie. The film was really about riding and the scenes in Midwest US. I didnt really enjoy the story (as there was no story to watch except two cool dudes go out riding) but the Captain America and Billy Bike harley bikes were really revolutionary in its design.

But riding one will sure can tear both arms apart from the shoulders.

Emirates Driving Institute

I went to Emirates Driving Institute (EDI) headquarter office in Al Qusais yesterday for registration of my motorcycle classes. Last Thursday nobody from EDI turn up to call or collect document from me as the guy told me in the phone. What a liar ! But anyway if they did turn up, I forgot to bring my original passport and didn't manage to get my eye test result for that day. So no complaint.

So I found EDI to be much.. much better than Dubai Driving Centre (DDC) in term of counter courtesy and facilities. Like for example, they have token system to queue for the counters instead of standing and crowding the counter to be picked up first by the counter staff like in DDC. Totally uncivilised ! Also in EDI the waiting area is spacious and quiet and everybody proceed silently smoothly. In conclusion it was a stark contrast than facilities and services in DDC. I wish I went to EDI for my car driving licence. WHat a waste of my time and money to be treated so unprofessionally in DDC last time !

After I paid AED2100 for 16 classes (4 Fridays) I saw a framed notice over my head which boast that EDI is the first driving intitute in the world to be certified as ISO 9001 compliant. No wonder. But AED2100 for motorcycle licence !?? WTF ! These guys really squeze the money out of my pocket in consideration of the comfort and smiles I got whilst in their office.

I will see if this fees is worth it for my next 16 classes.

Good luck to me.

How To Apply Motorcycle Licence in UAE

Today I received the No Objection Letter from my boss. Canteekkk...

Then I called up Emirates Driving Institute (EDI) to check on the documents required and procedures. I had not so impressive experience dealing with Dubai Driving Centre last time when I was obtaining my car driving licence. So this time I want to try with EDI. Why them? because their institute is near my house, behind Al Bustan Shopping Centre. From their website, they also have facilities like children play area, eye test centre, photocopy centre, cafe and spacious waiting area. These features seem way better than Dubai Driving Centre. So it should be a good start.

I have to call EDI twice. In the first call, I asked the staff what type of motorcycle licence is required if I want to ride a big bike like harley? He replied one moment sir...and then made me waited for almost 15 minutes. I soon realised he had no clue for the answer but so ashamed to say I dont know sir. Hmm cilaka punya budak!!

But nevermind lets try another guy, and I said that first guy better pray he will not be the one who pick up my second call. The second guy gave me a conclusive and firm answer. That there is only one category of motocycle licence in UAE for all types of motorcycle. That's good ! The guy even told me that to save me a lot of hassle, he can arrange to send a staff to collect my documents and they will do all the registration. I just need to get ready my eye test result, original passport, other copies of documents and of course money AED600 first. The total charge for Friday classes only is AED2865. There will be 16 classes altogether divided to 3 Fridays of 4 classes each. That means I'll be commuting to the institute during Ramadhan. Thirsty weii...!

Here is the list of documents required:

1) Letter of No Objection - checked
2) Original passport - will bring tomorrow
3) 2 passport copies - will bring tomorrow
4) 7 photos - checked
5) Eye test result - will get one today

Alright..smooth.