Canada trip: anyone been there done that?

**tuska** · 12th July 2010, 21:13

Aiming for motorbike trip to canada aug next year. Anyone been there done that? is it cheaper to buy over there, hire there or ship from here...only able to do 3-4 week trip at first, but may get back again in future and carry on trippin down to USA and south america...may be.Cheers

**Snails pace** · 13th July 2010, 06:08

Originally Posted by tuska

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Aiming for motorbike trip to canada aug next year. Anyone been there done that? is it cheaper to buy over there, hire there or ship from here...only able to do 3-4 week trip at first, but may get back again in future and carry on trippin down to USA and south america...may be.Cheers

I haven't done Canada as yet but certainly spent time in the states. From what i gather prices are slightly higher for buying in Canada v USA. I took my bike over as it was set up how I wanted it. My next trip I will most probably do the same thing. 3-4 weeks I would start looking on craigs list/ ebay etc for bike prices. There are some bargains compared to what we pay. Recently saw a fully farkled 07Suzuki DL650 for US$4500 (6500NZ) too good to miss. Hiring, depending on bike type, I feel is expensive. Up to US$100/day.
Have a look on either advrider.com or horizonsunlimited.com. May even get a bike off there. best of luck, great place to ride as with the size of the country you can keep on riding without going round in circles.

**Snails pace** · 13th July 2010, 06:10

Originally Posted by tuska

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Aiming for motorbike trip to canada aug next year. Anyone been there done that? is it cheaper to buy over there, hire there or ship from here...only able to do 3-4 week trip at first, but may get back again in future and carry on trippin down to USA and south america...may be.Cheers

I haven't done Canada as yet but certainly spent time in the states. From what i gather prices are slightly higher for buying in Canada v USA. I took my bike over as it was set up how I wanted it. My next trip I will most probably do the same thing. 3-4 weeks I would start looking on craigs list/ ebay etc for bike prices. There are some bargains compared to what we pay. Recently saw a fully farkled 07Suzuki DL650 for US$4500 (6500NZ) too good to miss. Hiring, depending on bike type, I feel is expensive. Up to US$100/day.
Have a look on either advrider.com or horizonsunlimited.com. May even get a bike off there. best of luck, great place to ride as with the size of the country you can keep on riding without going round in circles.

**sunhuntin** · 13th July 2010, 08:59

i spent 6 months in canada as a pillion. the roads in ontario are similar to the west coast, except wider, longer and nicer. i have been told the rockies are nice, but havent been on them, only seen from a distance.

i dont know whether it would be be better to buy, rent or take your own. i think insurance is mandatory over there, so you will have to consider that as a cost and whether you will need medical insurance. [whether travel insurance would suffice, i dont know]

i know this link is to a harley forum, but the members there will be able to give you advice on the american laws [helmets, which vary from state to state, etc] http://thp.yuku.com/ ive been a member since 2003 and have learned tons.

**Metastable** · 13th July 2010, 11:17

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask. I'm looking forward to visiting your country. If you are coming to N. America, I would consider checking out parts of the US, if your main goal is nice roads. If you are coming here to check out Canada per say, then ya... it is a BIG country and there is lots to see.

Basically riding here breaks down like this. The best riding is on the east or west. In the west you have BC and Alberta.... in the east you have New Brunswick and New Foundland (although the later is an Island). Do some research on the Cabbot Trail (east coast)

In the Middle you have Quebec and Ontario. Northern Ontario (mind you Northern isn't really that far north... because there is nothing there.... it's like from Barrie upwards) has some nice roads, but they can be busy at times. The good thing is that it would be VERY easy for you to hook up with some locals that could take you places. The best riding in "northern" Ontario is between Barrie, Parry Sound, Algonquin Park... also not a bad idea to ride around Lake Superior. Quebec has some very nice roads too, but some look as though they were carpet bombed.

Between Ontario and Alberta you have Saskatchewan and Manitoba. You know the Canterbury Plains? Well multiply that by 1 million and you will come to the understanding that it is BORING as all hell. Mosquitoes there are big enough to carry away small children too.

So the above deals with riding... as far as things to do.... there are tons of things. New Foundland is really laid back, lots of fisherman villages, Quebec City is like being in Europe, Toronto and Montreal are BIG cities.... understand that the area surrounding Toronto and Toronto itself is probably about 6 million people. However, if you want to find something in Toronto, you will. Alberta and BC have the Rockies and Coastal Mountains.... beautiful and you get to see some neat wildlife as well. Saskatchewan and Manitoba you have corn and wheat and repeat.

Bike prices are cheaper in the US. As a matter of fact a friend of mine is the manager at a dealership in OHIO ... here is a current used bike for sale:

http://www.twheels.com/new_vehicle_d...63&pov=1667463

Also if track riding is your thing, we have places that will rent out a track bike or places where you can do a track school with their bikes. We have some decent tracks in Ontario, let me know if you want more info on that.

Going back to riding. If you are searching for the best roads.... you gotta hit up Colorado, Wyoming and Utah... California is pretty cool too, but you run into traffic problems like you can in a lot of Ontario.

I guess it is about the experience, maybe you'd find it cool getting stuck 1 time in your life in a traffic jam that occupies 16 (yes no joke) lanes of traffic.... you can on the 401 in Toronto.... it is the busiest highway in the world. Yes it is even busier than the Santa Monica Freeway in California.

A couple of other things.
1 - get travel insurance
2 - lane splitting or filtering is permitted in California and they were trying to pass it in Texas too I think. Do at your own risk.
3 - Ontario has some stupid "stunting" laws were the cop can be judge jury and executioner.... basically without trial your vehicle can end up in a lot for 1 week and you are on the hook for all the charges, plus your licence is suspended for 7 days. There is no recourse for money spent, even if you are not convicted of the offense at a later date. It has many people up here in an uproar..... 50kph (considered stunting) over the limit does it, as do a few other things too.

**golfmade** · 14th July 2010, 01:03

What parts you looking to visit?

**tuska** · 22nd July 2010, 20:27

thanks for your replies...i'm thinking that east coast will probably be the go.....sounds like great roads! Northern US sounds great too...maybe later on ? depending on funds and time i can get away from work!

**cave weta** · 22nd July 2010, 20:34

contact brownbabe and roadtripdiva - they are both resident there and know the ins and outs - both lovely chicky -canucks too!

**kinger** · 14th August 2010, 08:44

We flew our bike to Canada a few years ago, went Toronto to the Rockies to Vancouver.
if you are going to take your own bike (which personally, I recommend), then make sure you get a Carnet. They nearly didn't let the bike in!
Aside from that, have fun.

**Brownbikerbabe** · 29th August 2010, 13:59

Originally Posted by cave weta

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contact brownbabe and roadtripdiva - they are both resident there and know the ins and outs - both lovely chicky -canucks too!

Thanks Cave Weta...lol..Canada is Gianormous...don't know all the roads...lol

...of course, if you are planning to be in Ontario (not on any coast, kinda the middle of Canada)...you are more than welcome to contact me....even if you need a place to rest your weary head for a night or two, have spare room for guests, will even feed ya and show you around if I can get the time off work...if its August 2011, let me know what dates, I plan to be in be in Europe around August 10th ish 2011. I also know Roadtripdiva, still haven't caught up with her yet since her return from NZ...lol

**shafty** · 30th August 2010, 00:15

Cool thread, and great advice Metastable!

I toured the US many moons ago, and some of Canada, incl Victoria Island, and BC in the West.

I joined the GoldWing club as that was what Iw as riding, and received fabulous support from locals. Rather than "use them" as free lodging I would simply contact the local co ordinator and ask for any Route tips thru their area, - it worked well.

I'm planning on doing Route 66 next year with Mates, and must pull finger with organising that - I'll start another thread seeking info, but it might be a thought, Tuska, that I am looking to do a bike swap with an American Guy, - he can use my ST1300 to tour NZ and I can use his ST to tour the US.

This hasn't been finalised yet, but looks likely. He's a semi retired Guy I met on st-owners.com, so something that may or may not work for you.

Good luck, have fun.

**kzisou** · 15th December 2010, 14:40

I am a Canadian who lives in Alberta and have ridden the length of Canada and the majority of the US, on a Kawasaki Z750S. Any questions, I would be more than happy to help out. As stated before, the US has cheaper prices on motorcycles, but not a whole lot cheaper than was the case a number of years ago, all of course hinges on the US/Canadian $ exchange rate. I would imagine it would be cheaper to buy a bike in North America than to ship yours there and back. As for riding, the coasts are certainly the best options, and if you are really adventurous, going inland to the Rockies and Alberta isn't a bad bet. Anything east of Alberta and west of the Maritime provinces is a write off in my opinion. As was also stated before, some of the US has very very spectacular scenery and roads, particularly the west coast (California and Oregon are wonderful). Aside from that, choose the season wisely, invest in some heated gear and grips despite the season, and waterproof gear of course.

Like I said, any questions, I would be more than happy to help out.

**maddad** · 14th January 2011, 18:15

Just joined the group as we are doing a trip to NZ in April. I'm from the East Coast and all the above is correct about do either one of the Coasts. That goes the same for the US.

Central Canada means a lot more hiways, straight roads, traffic, flat land and either cities or ugly trees.

East Coast is rolling hills, rigers, ferries and friendliest people. North East US is also really nice.

Problem in Canada is our riding season is fairly short. As such renting a bike here is nearly impossible. Just not the season to support such a thing. Insurance is mandatory. Some provinces have stunting laws, but Ontario is the worst with approx. $10,000 fine for 50 km over the speed limit. Glad I live in New Brunswick because I can't afford $10,000 a day.

If you end up coming East, let me know and I can share lots of info.

**thunderbolt** · 17th January 2011, 11:17

Did a trip in '99.Rented harley for a tour down Vancouver lsland,Courtney-Victoria,
by myself.Then joined a tour group on harleys riding from Burlington,VT out to Nova
Scotia and return to Burlington.Renting is far simpler for short trips.See Mike hyde's
Twisting throttle-America.5k for shipping/insur and budgeting at $160US per day.
l would say his costings were a good lead for anyone sending a bike to the US/Canada.Will say that riding by yourself can be fun for a while but having a
riding partner is so much better.

**thunderbolt** · 17th January 2011, 11:29

Did a trip in '99.Rented harley for a tour down Vancouver lsland,Courtney-Victoria,
by myself.Then joined a tour group on harleys riding from Burlington,VT out to Nova
Scotia and return to Burlington.Renting is far simpler for short trips.See Mike hyde's
Twisting throttle-America.5k for shipping/insur and budgeting at $160US per day.
l would say his costings were a good lead for anyone sending a bike to the US/Canada.Will say that riding by yourself can be fun for a while but having a
riding partner is so much better.