Thoughts on Canada and US..?
 

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

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

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.

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....

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

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..?

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

Sounds like you've done some planning--both routes and bureaucracy. I'm wondering about a 12 month trip in which 5 months are within Canada: that leaves 7 in the US, of which 6 are allowed by your visa. Extensions are available, but they do take time, which requires more planning.

I'm also interested in the concept of 7 months in the "sunny" southern US. Most of the US, including most of what's actually interesting (to me, as a resident) is cold and wintery during that period. Pretty much every area except little bits of Florida and Southern California are susceptible to frost, occasional snow, and endless grey skies. Mountain roads are routinely closed by snowfall, and passes are definitely problematic on a motorcycle. Etc. This can begin by late September in some areas, certainly by November.

Last, I'd make certain to include Alaska in your five months. You've got the time, and you'll probably never be closer.

I don't mean to impugn your planning. Maybe you know all this stuff. Just hoping the above is helpful.

Mark

US/Can tour
 

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

Yes, extensively, by motorcycle, car, and small aircraft.

Let me know if you have any questions I can help you with.

Michael

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.

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.

Hi Michael...cool...I'm sure to have some questions at some point...thanks. I'm also up for hearing of other peoples travels..so if your bored and fancy yarning, I'm in. If you're busy..no worries. My main issues at the moment are getting concrete info on insurance and bike registration etc in Halifax. I'll be contacting various brokers this week...I've been in contact with some and it seems possible but just need to be as sure as possible. Ok...thanks for input...cheers.

Mark, can't include Alaska in his Canada 5 months because the US 6 months starts on entey.

Also a fair bit of all of the southernmost states are where thousands of snow birders set up camp for the entire winter and while the temperatures may not be tropical, it hardly ever rains in Quartzite area for instance. In summer in those same states you get temperatures well over 100F which is actually way less pleasant than a mild winter day

You got it Tony...all correct..!!

Hey, as long as it works for you... But once you're applying for an extension on your visa (which you need to do anyway if you're staying in the US for 7 months as indicated), skipping Alaska seems like a real waste. And I've lived and traveled throughout the southern USA enough to know that for me, it's largely unappealing for motorcycle touring--certainly not where I'd spend month after month after month. Those snowbirds tend toward inactivity, not adventure. Selling that area of the country on the basis of winter being more agreeable than mid-summer is pretty much the definition of "damning with faint praise."

Now, if you were planning a couple of months on the Gulf or the southern border states, then a wander through Mexico and bits of Central America, I'd see it differently. But the trip has to work for you, not me. I'm just trying to offer ideas which might be useful, or not.

enjoy,

Mark

Canada and insurance
 

We are travelling the world (in Malaysia at moment) and set out in May 18, Starting in NY, then Quebec city and across Canada. Made the mistake of buying insurance before I left UK and ended up paying way over the odds. All other insurance has been bought locally using the insurance brokers address or my hotel address as they wat some local address that their post code recognition accepts. We did Canada in 3 months and have been chasing the sun ever since.

Hi Tim.....thanks for that...keep chasing that sun mate..:)

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.

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..

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...:)

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

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.

May in Canada will still be cold. Especially in the Western provinces (Manitoba and Saskatchewan). If doing the TCAT, don't be surprised if you hit snow and swamps in the Northern regions.

If I were you, I would start by the US where it is at least 1 month ahead when it comes to seasons. And even more in the South.

As for border security, your answres are simple. You have a company in your homeland and are taking a few months off to discover North America. remove from your cell phone any discussions about employment or small jobs in canada or the US.

And if you end up in Montreal and need a place to stay or to wrench, just hit me up at mybuddylee@gmail.com - I am myself a globetrotter. ;-)

I know we are all partial to the place where we live, but if you have that kind of time in Canada you really should include the Yukon. Do a trip north on the Alaska highway, head up the Dempster highway for a dip in the arctic ocean then cruise down the Stewart Cassiar Highway into BC. You will see some of the most remote and beautiful country in north America.

+1 to JfNS

Dawson, Toak and Chicken AK, topoftheworld highway.

Hyder Alaska off the Cassiar highway is a cool place - complete with free-range grizzlies on Salmom River. The totems in Hazelton. Terrace and Smithers are nice. Kayaking around Haida Gwaii. Watching Orcas off the ferry on the inside passage is a way cheaper option. For more class, the RockyMountineer train.

Nova Scotia is beautiful. NB, PEI, Gaspe Peninsula. So much to see...

Just a thought, Canada is big and distances are long. Hotels not cheap (camping always possible). If you are coming with the intent to buy a bike to travel, you will find it cheaper to buy and easier to insure a older camper. There are plenty and they are less expensive than a bike, sleeping is free. Then can boondock with no stress.

Good luck