Iran relaxes big-bike restrictions

Big-bore motorcycles were banned  in Iran following the country's Islamic revolution.

More than three decades on, there are signs of restrictions easing. Recently a dozen riders on pre-revolutionary and newer models were allowed a strictly regulated ride in Tehran.

Permission has to be sought to ride just one weekend a month and even then it is limited to specific streets during daylight. Sadly, women are still prohibited from riding bikes.

The ban on motorcycles bigger than 250cc was introduced in the early years of the revolution to slow the incidence of motorcycles being used in drive-by killings of Iranian officials by the opposition.

It was also part of an effort to eradicate vestiges of an un-Islamic Western lifestyle that had prevailed under the monarchy overthrown in 1979. Women were barred from riding motorcycles as it was seen as incompatible with Shi'ite Islamic values. Big-bore motorcycles were kept exclusively for the Basij, the government's plain-clothes security force, which often rode them around Tehran in a show of power.

Under the reprieve, authorities select members of the Tehran Motorcycling and Car Racing Association to license for street riding after running them through security checks.

American dealerships for Harley-Davidson and General Motors have been absent from Iran but a sanctions deal would open the gateway for such manufacturers to have a local presence.

While the motoring association is trying to have the ban fully lifted, Iranian bikers have found other ways to satisfy their passion.

Symbolising the love for US.-made Harley-Davidson motorcycles, local bike manufacturer Tondar Shahab makes replicas of bigger bikes, powered by 250cc engines.

Riders ship in Harley parts from Dubai before assembling them in Iran – often simply to display a bike in their homes.

"At the end of the day, when you have a passion you will find a way to ride whether it is in Dubai, in Europe or the United States," Shabab said. "And someday also in Iran."