Thoughts on Canada and US..?

[barneyf]

Hi good people...
I'm looking at a 12 month tour of Canada and US starting in May 2019...very exciting..!!
Ok...so...any thoughts anyone has are welcome, I have no set itinerary or plans...I'm open to anything. Would be very interested in the Trans AM Trail and the Trans Canada Trail...so if anyone has thoughts, info or experience...please shout out. Cool...cheers. Barney

[markharf]

Just wondering whether you've considered visa/visa waiver issues, which will have a lot to do with route planning, and even whether or not you're able to make this trip work at all. Being "open to anything" won't, on its own, make the trip possible. And it'll be difficult to answer your other questions about whether to purchase locally or ship your bike, therefore how to insure it, until you've figured out how you'll be dealing with visa or your visa waiver. One step at a time, as they say.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

[mark manley]

I agree with what Mark has said above and a word of warning about entering the US and possibly Canada as well, if asked by an immigration officer about your job at home never say "I don't have one" or they may well deny you entry, always say that you are on extended leave or something similar. No matter how much money you have they assume anyone without a job has come there to work.

[barneyf]

Hi Guys...thanks for your thoughts. Yep …. got my ETA for Canada...had my interview at American Embassy and received my B2 tourist visa. Also sorted on the temporary import letter situation.. interviewing officer at the Embassy commented that it was the most comprehensive application file she had ever seen. Gotta home...gotta business...no intention of living there...just want to have a look around.
Cool...so , have you guys got any info on insurance for foreign visitors on Canadian registered bikes..would be much appreciated. Cheers....

[PanEuropean]

Barney:

Looking at things strictly from a climate point of view, you would be best to plan your trip across Canada to take place between May and the end of September... then head towards the southern United States for riding in October and later.

Michael

[barneyf]

Hi Michael...
Yes....totally agree...I plan to start early'ish May in Halifax and work my way across to Vancouver. My five month ETA will expire end of September and that's when I'll drop down into the US and head south for winter sun. What about yourself Michael...?..have you toured much around your country..?

[Island Hopper]

Originally Posted by barneyf

Hi good people...
I'm looking at a 12 month tour of Canada and US starting in May 2019...very exciting..!!
Ok...so...any thoughts anyone has are welcome, I have no set itinerary or plans...I'm open to anything. Would be very interested in the Trans AM Trail and the Trans Canada Trail...so if anyone has thoughts, info or experience...please shout out. Cool...cheers. Barney

I laid out the last western section of the TCAT, what motorcycle are you going to use for the journey?
https://www.graveltravel.ca/index.ph...id=1&Itemid=71

[barneyf]

Hi Hopper... thanks for chipping in. Cool...I'm going to check out that link. I have options on which bike to use for this trip....I can ship/fly my Ktm 640 adventure over, she's a great bike ,which I've owned from new. I have put about 40,000 miles on her both on and off road, she's much more capable than I am, and will tackle anything if you are capable. As my capabilities are nowhere near the expert level and the terrain is a bit of an unknown, I was considering buying a bike in Canada. I'm thinking keep it as light and easy as possible, so crf250l/450l or drz 400....or Dr650. The added benefit of buying in Canada is that I can do the fly, ride, store/fly, ride, store thing over a number of years. I'd also like to do some hiking, cycling and canoeing so with the flexibility of being able to sell or exchange the bike it makes some sense. Ok, gonna check out your link. Would be interested in hearing of your travels...I've never really used forums before so not sure on etiquette...if you're interested in talking should we pm to keep things tidy..? No offence if not....Cheers.

[Island Hopper]

Originally Posted by barneyf

Hi Hopper... thanks for chipping in. Cool...I'm going to check out that link. I have options on which bike to use for this trip....I can ship/fly my Ktm 640 adventure over, she's a great bike ,which I've owned from new. I have put about 40,000 miles on her both on and off road, she's much more capable than I am, and will tackle anything if you are capable. As my capabilities are nowhere near the expert level and the terrain is a bit of an unknown, I was considering buying a bike in Canada. I'm thinking keep it as light and easy as possible, so crf250l/450l or drz 400....or Dr650. The added benefit of buying in Canada is that I can do the fly, ride, store/fly, ride, store thing over a number of years. I'd also like to do some hiking, cycling and canoeing so with the flexibility of being able to sell or exchange the bike it makes some sense. Ok, gonna check out your link. Would be interested in hearing of your travels...I've never really used forums before so not sure on etiquette...if you're interested in talking should we pm to keep things tidy..? No offence if not....Cheers.

The 640 Adventure or one of the 650 class Dual Sport bikes work well for the Western Canada region where I live.. The smaller 250 size DS bikes will also work but are a bit more stressed on some of the hwy routes.. A friend flew his bike to Halifax then rode across the country to my place on Vancouver Island, then we traveled up to the Arctic together... His bike is stored in my garage for the winter and in a few months he will come to retrieve it.. We are fortunate to live where we do as there is such a variety of different outdoor adventure opportunities and also a huge variety of climatic zones.. You can PM me if you have any questions..

[barneyf]

Ok guys...thanks very much for the offers of advice...I'm gonna take you both up on it but just need to work out how to pm....new to forums...

[itellya2018]

Originally Posted by barneyf

Hi good people...
I'm looking at a 12 month tour of Canada and US starting in May 2019...very exciting..!!
Ok...so...any thoughts anyone has are welcome, I have no set itinerary or plans...I'm open to anything. Would be very interested in the Trans AM Trail and the Trans Canada Trail...so if anyone has thoughts, info or experience...please shout out. Cool...cheers. Barney

Hi,

I live in Moncton New Brunswick and have traveled 2 times across Canada from Newfoundland to Dawson City Yukon. I can help you navigate through Canada with ease.

Here are some things to consider:
1. Arrival...you say May and in Halifax...exactly when could be helpful in helping you understand the climate and what to expect.
2. Upon arrival where do you want to go first? Newfoundland the furthers most province in Canada could be a nice starting point however that time of year it could be very cold, but I would recommend doing the Cabot Trail...most would suggest doing it counter clockwise as you get better views. Both of these places should be considered depending on your arrival time. The latter part of May would be better.
3. Prince Edward Island a great place to travel through cross over on a ferry and return to New Brunswick via an 8 k bridge. While in New Brunswick you have a choice of British or French cultures basically splitting the province in two.
4. At the top of NB you enter Quebec and I am sure most would suggest doing the Gasp Peninsula a great stretch of road funneling you down the St Lawrence seaway on your way to Quebec city and then Montreal.

I am going to stop here and if you want me to continue let me know. This could take about 10 days depending on weather.

Paul

[barneyf]

Hi Paul...

Thanks for the ideas...sounds like you've managed to get around quite a bit. Those all sound like good ideas and would like to hear more if you've got the time to share info...I'm going to go out and get a new map of Canada and start marking it up with good ideas. I initially have five months in Canada but if I like it and it likes me I plan to return over the years for extended travelling. I like to keep things spontaneous and flexible so I'm open to any ideas. Thanks for your thoughts.

[itellya2018]

Originally Posted by barneyf

Hi Paul...

Thanks for the ideas...sounds like you've managed to get around quite a bit. Those all sound like good ideas and would like to hear more if you've got the time to share info...I'm going to go out and get a new map of Canada and start marking it up with good ideas. I initially have five months in Canada but if I like it and it likes me I plan to return over the years for extended travelling. I like to keep things spontaneous and flexible so I'm open to any ideas. Thanks for your thoughts.

I am a retired government worker and have plenty of time on my hands. You got questions...you want answers...go ahead I am sure I can point you in the right direction.

In one of your post you talk about registration and insurance...if you are not going to leave the bike here you don't need to license it to travel through Canada. Insurance though is a must.

[Philippe Boulanger]

Hi Barney,
I wish you good luck for your journey and especially a lot of fun.
Maybe we meet together by the way !!! I also start a WT in June beginning with Canada: Quebec, Ontario and down to Louisiana, Mexico ...
Have fun / Philippe

[VicMitch]

If you are going to buy in North America, buy in the US. Easy to register in your name and easy to sell at the end of the trip. I know you can't start in the US due to the visa limitations, but there are people on here who could scout out a bike and cross it over the border for you.