Looking for help for my first venture outside the UK
 

Hi All

I'm looking for some guidance about a trip I'm currently planning. I'm planning on taking my bike (Honda VTR1000) from Vancouver to Toronto sometime in June. I have two intended routes so far, and drawn up a list of essentials I need to take. This will be my first venture out of the UK on my bike, so I thought of doing it in style. I have planned for 21 days from coast to coast.

Any info on shipping/air freight is most welcome. How do I go about it and does anyone have good/bad experiences they want to share.

Secondly is documentation, insurance, etc. what is the minimum and what is recommended.

Finally, since the tank range on the VTR is not something to write home about. (100-120 miles per tank) What's the availability of fuel like. I'm assuming it's like here. ie. loads in towns and others ever x miles down major highways.

I've got loads of questions about Canada, but I think these will be enough to get started.

Thanks in anticipation, and look forward to an interesting and very rewarding experience.
Regards
Robert

>I'm planning on taking my bike (Honda VTR1000) from Vancouver to Toronto sometime
>in June. I have two intended routes so far

Two? Either the Trans-Canada or through the northern US? Personally I would suggest two things:
- ride east-to-west, not west-to-east. The most dramatic part of the journey will be through the Rocky mountains in BC/Alberta, while crossing the Prairies will be mostly (but not all) flat and boring. If you ride west you'll get a nice "finish" through the mountains.

> I have planned for 21 days from coast to coast.

That should be lots of time. That distance is about 5000 KM. The Prairies will be crossed quickly but you could spend lots of time riding in the Rockies and BC.

>Finally, since the tank range on the VTR is not something to write home about. (100-120
>miles per tank) What's the availability of fuel like. I'm assuming it's like here. ie.
>loads in towns and others ever x miles down major highways.

Yeah pretty much. 120 miles per tank will not be enough. You will find remote stretches of highway where there may be fuel only once every 150-200 miles.




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Bruce Clarke
brclarke@islandnet.com
www.islandnet.com/~brclarke

Thanks for the tips Bruce. The reason I'm thinking of West to East is that I have friends in London Ontario and I would rather visit them after spending too much time in the rockies (that way I can make up time on the road) rather than spending too much time on Toronto and then having to dash through the Rockies before heading back.

As for the fuel range. What's the law regarding carrying extra fuel on a bike. (I can just see me with a 50gl drum on the back) http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif.

The 2001 VTR is supposed to have a larger fuel tank, so I might swap it for one of them.

I was planning on going through the higher roads away from the US, but if the roads are better following the border, then I might draw up another route.

SeeYa http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

I don't think there is any restriction on carrying extra fuel on a bike. Just do it sensibly and no one will bother you. i.e. not a 50 gal drum http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif

One more gallon should be more than enough, and a couple of liters is probably adequate.

And avoid US 2 - I did it years ago and it wa deadly dull then, it can only have gotten worse. Only virtue - straight and very fast with few of the guys with lights on the roof. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hi Grant.

Dn't think a 50 gal drunm would do much for the bikes balance anyway, so I might just have to settle for a 1 gal can.

Any suggestions re equipment to take with me. I've got the usual spare clothes, toothbrush, half-decent toolkit, bulbs etc. Is there anything that has been found to be invaluable that not everyone thinks of.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

Re handy things to take.
I used my Victorinox Swisstool (like a leatherman) every day. It has a selection of allen keys etc with it, aswell as the usual blades etc. Well worth the 50 quid or so. I still use it regularly after the trip and it'll be the first thing packed for my next trip.
Andy
PS Hello Bruce!

Cheers Andy

I have wondered what tools to take. I can't imagine me trawling the whole toobox with me, but I would like something a little more substatial that the Honda toolkit.

Just for the record, I see there is a baggage company that's brought out panniers and a tailunit that zip together to hold a whopping 100 liters of stuff. I might be investing in that as well.

Robert,
I have done almost exactly the trip you are planning from Vancouver to London Ontario.

I live in Australia but have been doing almost annual tours of the US and Canada since 1991. I have a resident BMW that lives with friends near London ONT. Most of our trips have been up and down the western US, the Rockies, and BC.

In 1997 we rode down to Colorado and then headed across the US to Toronto, and later on to Connecticut USA.

We followed back roads, highway 24 all the way, staying in little towns, visiting local areas and had a great trip.

You need to choose you time carefully as the plains east of Colorado can be very hot, but otherwise it's a great trip...

Cheers
Peter

Hi Pete

What time of the year is the hottest. Looks like I need to find a site that lists the weather patterns over the twelve months. I am planning for June, but it's all down to finances and work commitments, as well as family commitments.

The major cost at the moment is to get the bike across and back. I'm currently looking at one way rental etc. but I would still like to do it on my own bike since I've just started riding it again after the winter months and have become addicted again.

My intended route is along the upper portion of Canada.

What was accomodation like when you were out there?

Cheers
Robert

Hi Robert,

Most of Canada is very similar to the UK for temperature and seasons. June should be good, July and August are also fine - in Canada - farther south into the US it's getting a lot hotter, but not intolerable till you get to the southern US.

Accommodation in all of Canada is generally excellent, relatively speaking, especially after the UK when you talk value for money. You will find in northern Canada - and I'm talking about near the Northwest territory border - that the accommodation is limited and few and far between on the few roads that there are. Check carefully for the next accommodation or carry camping gear, as there is plenty of opportunity for free bush camping.

As far as getting the bike there, check the Links page, htere are a couple of companies there that can do it.

Have fun, and remember that it is a LOT farther than you think to anywhere. ;-)

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com