MORE THAN 100 YEARS BACK WILLIAM HARLEY AND THE DAVIDSON BROTHERS GATHERED IN THE GARAGE IN THE LITTLE CITY OF MILUOKA IN THE PROVINCIAL STATE WISCONSIN HIS FIRST BIKE WITH THE ENGINE. SO STARTED THE HISTORY OF THE LEGENDARY BRAND OF HARLEYDAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES, WHICH TODAY IS NOT EQUAL IN THE WORLD. Over the past years, motor racing has become not just a hobby for lovers of speed around the world. BIKER MOVEMENT IS A REAL BROTHERHOOD OF "RIDERS ON IRON HORSES", WHICH HAVE AND HIM ANIMALS, AND THEIR MOVIES, AND ITS OWN UNDERSTANDING LANGUAGE.
Today, competition between different clubs is due not only to the mileage of roads and conquered peaks. It is also the art of being unique and supporting one's own individuality in everything, both in life and on the track. About how the biker movement in the Middle East lives and breathes, and how the motorcycle tuning business is developing, we talked with the president of the largest Black Eagles MS motorcycle club in the United Arab Emirates, Hadi Muhammed ...
Hadi, please tell us how your passion for motorcycles began? After all, do you have your own civil profession to which you have dedicated your life?
Yes. I am an engineer, working in the gas industry. In 1992, I bought my first Harley. For 20 years, motorcycles have been my calling. You know, this is not just a hobby, but a real passion that requires complete dedication. In 2000, we opened our workshop. My brother and I started together. Gradually grew. During this time I created a design for almost 80 motorcycles, and about 10 of them I assembled from scratch, in detail. And you know, I have never repeated a single idea. How did you come up with the idea of joining a club?
We created the bikers club after the opening of the workshop and officially registered in 2004. Its first branch appeared in Dubai, and in 2007 the initiative was taken by a branch in Muscat (Oman). Now we have two offices. I am the president of both of them. The club has its own "government" president, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer and sergeant. And each "official" performs its functions. I won’t say how many participants we have. But that is more than one and less than a million. There is even one Russian. These are people united by a common passion, a common lifestyle, a love of speed. We are together all the time. And today, our club is the largest in the Middle East.
How can I join your club? What are your requirements for beginners?
First, a person must be a man and the owner of a motorcycle. Secondly, to comply with all our rules and requirements, to maintain the club. Getting a membership is a long way. As a rule, it takes a couple of years when we check whether a new member is coming to us or not. Some perceive their membership in the biker club as a fashion show. This is not about us. In our case, we are talking about long-term and serious relationships. Once and for life. Our "brothers" come from different professions. different age, skin color and nationality. But the rules are the same for everyone. Whoever you are you are the same. like everyone else.
Why did you choose the name "Black Eagles"?
I wanted it to be something unique. You know that black eagles do not exist in nature. I think falcons with which they traditionally hunt are more common in our region. And yet, much lurks with the nature of this bird: its strength and straightforwardness. By the way, I recently came across on the Internet to the club of the same name. It is registered in Dagestan (Russia). We wrote a letter there, but have not yet received a response.
Where do you get clothes, shoes, ammunition for the club?
Biker bandana style, leather vest, jeans and boots. Of course, glasses and a helmet. For members of the club we sew everything to order, here in Dubai. And we ourselves distribute the entire "uniform" to the participants, we sell only certain things. All clothes with our symbols. This is only with us. This makes us stand out from the crowd.
Please tell us about your workshop and your work? Do you have a favorite motorcycle?
I personally have two motorcycles, one “King of the Roads” and the second “Fat Man”. He just looks like that (laughs). You know, I built a couple of motorcycles for girls. Do you think they are pink and fluffy? No, they’re just a little smaller and more sophisticated. One of them, by the way, cannot be let out onto the street. He very clearly describes the charms of his mistress, too feminine. This is a provocation! I rarely see my work on the streets of the city, many of them went abroad. But those who see them and know me will immediately guess whose hands it is.
When a client arrives, we sit down and discuss what color will be, what forms of his future motorcycle. After all, the bike must match the nature of its owner. If we assemble the car from scratch, then it happens that it takes 8 months to work. You need to order unique parts, and they can be in Canada and in Germany. So, the faster spare parts arrive, the faster we turn in work to the customer.
Do you think motorcycle tuning is a big market in the Middle East?
No, small. Today, there are more than those who simply buy a motorcycle in a company salon or from an agent and ride. Those who decide to collect from scratch their "loyal friend", while units. Therefore, you can recognize the members of our club by the best style and design of motorcycles. We are different from the rest on the road. And they know me well in the region. Sometimes even advertising is not needed. The word of mouth works.
What events do you participate in or plan to attend? In Russia, they say that rock and roll and bikers are twin brothers. And how are the congresses in the UAE?
We traditionally take part in the biker week, which takes place in February in Dubai. We participate in competitions for the best motorcycle design and, as a rule, win. But not only! We also cooperate with the government, the police and schools, and are involved in charity work.
As for the biker congresses, we just closed our eighth season. This year, more than 400 people gathered in Fujairah. These are our friends from all emirates and from many countries of the Persian Gulf. There were a noisy party, and live music, and a barbecue. In general, God himself ordered to arrange motorcycle marathons in the UAE. After all, we have beautiful roads, landscapes and great weather. You can ride towards the wind until the gas runs out!
