Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Visiting Israel by motorcycles

Israel's climate is ideal for motorcycling: 300 days of sun per year.

Even the less sunny days: December - February have little rain or non.

The average yearly precipitation in most regions is 500 mm (20") per annum.

Yet - motorcycles touring in Israel presents several difficulties:

Motorcycles rental

Motorcycles rental is almost non existent, to my best knowledge at the time of this publication. (March, 2013) Limited number of vehicles, non uniform models, limited availability - in many cases these are not new motorcycles of rental companies but trade-in motorcycles, 5-10 years old, available at random, at a given point, waiting for their next buyer.

Mopeds are not motorcycles

Rental of mopeds is common in the Tel Aviv region - The local youngsters relate to these as "motorcycles", a question of ego and status, but far from being a "real vehicle" . Quality heavy motorcycles are terribly expensive in Israel, and are owned predominantly by riders in their late 30's to their 60's. Students are happy to own a 10 years old Suzuki GS 500.

Thus - The only good way is to arrive to the country with your own motorcycle.

Group visits - group size

Economically speaking - a group of motorcyclists could reduce the shipment costs significantly by coming with several motorcycles, even few tens of motorcycles. An ideal size group for traveling would be 5-15 motorcycles. 5 - 30 participants.

Most models used worldwide have dealerships and service in Israel, yet - a well maintained motorcycle would not fail along 8-12 days of touring, some 2,000 kilometers (1,300 miles)


A large group of motorcyclists, during a visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem. In the background : The Western Wall , the Dome of the Rock, and the Mosque of El Aqsa on Temple Mount.


Luggage

A  8-12 days visit would use 3-4 hotels along the way. 
Luggage could be easily shipped by a taxi when concluding the touring day in a different hotel than the one left in the morning, or by a small truck, in case of a larger group.

Road guidance / Tour Guiding

The ideal method to reach easily every destination along the way and be guided in the visited sites would be a professional licensed guide driving a leading motorcycle, equipped with a helmet integrated radio system. Comments and guidance could be provided all along the way, as well as in the historical / archeological sites.

Independent visitors could manage by preparing "homework".


A close up photo of the south western corner of the western wall, seen in the previous photo in the background of the parked motorcycles  - a monumental structure build 2,000 years ago, as a platform to the Jewish temple up above. The stones are 7-8 meters long (21-24 feet). 


Lunch stops

Unlike conventional touring - picnic lunch stops could be planned in parks and nature sites along the way. 

Israeli driving mentality

Is extremely different than the rest of the western world. Motorcycles insurance in Israel is sky high, due to the amount of motorcycles and mopeds accidents. A semi joking semi serious statement is that the traffic laws in Israel are merely a suggestion. 
Car drivers may keep using the passing lane for kilometers, being passed on the right lanes. Missing a highway exit and backing up the highway is not extremely rare.

An experienced motorcyclist would know how to cope with irresponsible behavior of the local drivers, yet - unfortunately, it is an element of the visit to be kept mind all along.


Motorcycles are safe in their parked areas, in the absolute majority of places. Curious passers by would not damage the motorcycles and stare,  just to satisfy their own curiosity. (Note the Jewish religious school boys, wearing skull caps, among the parked motorcycles, exposed to the wonders of a world  they are usually never exposed to).


Motorcyclists who had carried out such a visit, either in Israel, or to other countries around the world, are invited to ask questions or contribute of their own experience.

Ze'ev Back  

Quality Private Tours 

zeevback@gmail.com

http://www.tours-to-israel.com





1 comment:

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