I'm not sure about Almaty being safe for motorcycles due to local car drivers being tottal assholes on the road. BUT, if ur in Astana, u will enjoy riding there in the summer. The roads r very good and traffic is trivial. I moved for work there last July and got myself an R1. Being a hardcore motorcycle freak, coming from Belgium. I especially enjoyed a 250km highway stretch from Astana to Borovoe. I was amazed by the quality of the pavement. Flyin at 300 clicks I could bearly feel any speed so smooth it was. No cars and NO cops! )) and if ur into enduro and motoX ull find local prairies a delight to hike about with off-track roads, small lakes.