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Thoughts on Canada and US..? Thoughts on Canada and US..?
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Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #16  
Old 3 Mar 2019
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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
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  #17  
Old 4 Mar 2019
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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.
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  #18  
Old 4 Mar 2019
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Hi Tim.....thanks for that...keep chasing that sun mate..
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  #19  
Old 5 Mar 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by barneyf View Post
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.
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  #20  
Old 6 Mar 2019
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Originally Posted by barneyf View Post
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..
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  #21  
Old 6 Mar 2019
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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...
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  #22  
Old 19 Mar 2019
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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
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  #23  
Old 19 Mar 2019
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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.
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  #24  
Old 22 Mar 2019
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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. ;-)
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  #25  
Old 23 Mar 2019
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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.
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  #26  
Old 25 Mar 2019
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+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
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