To a Harley-Davidson owner, the bike is a style statement. Harley owners love their bikes so much that they are eager to display them.
Harley-Davidson engines are legendary. There’s been Knucklehead, Pan, Shovel, Evolution, Twin Cam and Milwaukee-Eight. The Twin Cam engines were made from 1998 to 2017.
Big and bright, tail lights, brake lights and turn lamps turn on the style. The Keystone LED lamps add practical lighting to the bike’s rear, emitting a soft neon-like glow.
Gabrielle Bou Rached, Director of Harley-Davidson Owners Abu Dhabi and President of Harley-Davidson Owners GCC Council: “I’ve been riding since 2015. What attracted me to riding is the lifestyle of bikers, and the community spirit, the brotherhood and the endless adventures that bikers have every single day.”
The gleaming Harleys are a sight to behold. There are plenty of authentic accessories to customise and modify the bikes.
The Harley-Davidson Group Dubai ride every Sunday morning. Bikers assemble at Sheikh Zayed Road ahead of the ride.
A Harley biker has to be kitted out in Harley-ware. Leather jackets and boots are an absolute necessity. Then there’s the bandana, the facemasks and patches. Above: Jose John, Activity Officer of HOG Dubai, readies for the Ajman ride.
Harley-Davidson riders communicate through hands signals. “When we move, we move as a unit. We always move like a big snake. When the front turns, everybody turns; when the front is coming to a stop, with the hand signals everybody in the group knows what’s going to happen, all the way to back [of the pack],” says Shuja Jashanmal, Safety Officer, HOG Dubai.
“The Harley-Davidson Owners Group is very, very special. There’s no-nonsense, no politics, or anything like that. It’s just enthusiasm, and looking out for each other, enjoying the weekends together, going for rides, looking out for some new routes, enjoying the weather, enjoying the country, enjoying the camaraderie,” says Simon Walter, Director, HOG Dubai
“It [the Harley community] is beyond a family. Wherever you go, you get recognised, and safety matters are taken care of,” says Sujit George, Activity Officer, HOG Dubai.
Harley bikers in the UAE come from varied cultures, backgrounds and nationalities. A shared passion for riding Harleys brings them together. They find time for rides every week.
“Harley is a brand recognised as number one in the motorcycling community. And it’s a worldwide community. Every city has a chapter of Harley Owners Group. So [we are] a part of the larger worldwide group,” says Anand Rodrigues, Head Road Captain, Harley-Davidson Owners Group, Dubai.
Harley-Davidson bikers of Dubai ride in formation as they head to Ajman on a Sunday ride. The bikers also organise rides for cancer awareness and other special events.
Harley Davidson Owners Group in Dubai has around 200 members. A passionate bunch, they do two rides a week: Wednesday evening and Sunday morning.
“A Harley makes its own statement on the roads. It’s beyond riding. Riding gives you a lot of health benefits. It gives you balance, it gives you mental and physical support,” says Dino Varghese, Harley biker in Dubai.
“We are really, really blessed here. We got the desert, the mountains, the sea, and we’ve got the sun. So you get everything in one day. You can do [ride] it from coast to coast. We are spoilt for choice,” says Simon Walter, Director, HOG Dubai.
Harley riders put a lot of emphasis [on unity]. “Our hashtag is #UnitedWeRide. We leave together, we come home together. But also safety first. We have an excellent track record,” says Walter.