CFR 2018 - WooHoo! Registration is going LIVE November 1st!

[Cav47]

The horror stories you’ve heard about speed enforcement in Canada is mostly true..the lower the speed limit, the closer you need to stick to it. In a 100km/hr zone you might be able to do 110-but not 111...I usually keep it in the 104-109 km/hr range. School zones and construction zones are very strict. When you see a cop on the side of the road you must pull over to the other lane and slow to 60 km/hr - and the fines for failing to do so are huge! But, we do have free health care

Thanks for the info. So are you saying I can't use the excuse I thought those speeds were in MPH, not KPH????

 

[CollingsBob]

Well, you can try..let me know how it works out for ya..

 

[ogopogo]

Ray - I've heard horror stories about excessive speed in Canada, and if half of them are true, I'm paying attention.

Paying attention is always good, but in my experience you needn't worry too much. I did a coast to coast trip last summer, both ways, with the cruise control generally set 10 - 20 kmh over the limit. That's the most I'll admit to in print. No tickets, not even a stop. Went through several radar traps where they had me dead to rights, but was never pulled over. I assume they're waiting for faster fish. One time I was in a line of traffic in a construction zone, everybody about 10 over. A cop picked me as the target for his radar gun and I was sure it was going to be my turn in the barrel. Nope. Once I realized I could finish the trip without a ticket, my head was really on a swivel the last couple days.

 

[hppants]

Is it legal to use a radar detector in Canada?

Josh - remind me to press the "units" button on the bike when we cross the border. I'm such a *******, I'll read MPH and think I'm ok!!

 

[CollingsBob]

Radar detector laws vary by province...

https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/23/travel/practical-traveler-canada-s-hard-line-on-radar-detectors.html?pagewanted=all

 

[Panman]

Safe both Alberta and BC are OK!

 

[NorCal FJR]

Panman- Josh and I are heading toward jasper on the ice fields parkway after CFR. I figure if Im going to walk the glacier, I better go ahead and do it before its too late.

Nikki and I heading that way after CFR, are you heading to Glacier Skywalk?

 

[escapefjrtist]

Safe both Alberta and BC are OK!

...and just how well have radar detectors worked out in recent history Panman?!?

--G

 

[Panman]

Safe both Alberta and BC are OK!

...and just how well have radar detectors worked out in recent history Panman?!?

--G

Well George, I never have had one with me when I got a performance award.

But I did run one for YFO and no awards and had me some good fun. I don't plan on bringing one to Canada as I'm going into tourist mode for that trip.

Well maybe...............................

 

[hppants]

NorCal - that name doesn't ring a bell. I've got notes at home, but there is a tour that you can take right from the Icefields Parkway that takes you to the Glacier where you can walk and explore. I believe the name is two words, first word "Lake"?

Slight thread jacking, but since I've gotten my radar detector, I haven't been immune from performance awards. I was "instant-on'd" in Texas last year on the way home from YFO. Truthfully, the speed limit was 75 mph and I'm sure he would have let me slide with 82-ish. And 82-ish is more than fast enough if I'm being honest. But 88 is not gonna fly in a 75 no matter how good your excuse is.

Regardless, I'm gonna be good in Canada. I'm not paranoid about it, it's just that I envision that part of the trip to be more about sight seeing and far less about riding. And you can't sight see worth a crap if you are riding like a squid.

I'm also leaving my pistol at home (against my preference) and Josh and I will be bringing no more than 1 shampoo bottle full of happy juice each into Canuckstation. The latter is really pulling on my short hairs, but Josh and I are more than willing to take one for the team. You guys are worth it!!

Of course, I've got my passport in good standing.

Anything else I need to know or be concerned about? This is my first trip to Canada, and my first "road" crossing of any country border. I've done planes and boats with good luck, so hopefully motorcycles isn't any different.

 

[CollingsBob]

You’re very wise to leave your gun(s) at home..Rifles & shotguns, properly locked & cased can come across but hand guns are quite difficult, open carry is impossible..and because no one else has a gun, you simply won’t need them. Canada customs will do a search for a criminal record, so make sure you declare everything, porn on your computer or iphone is a huge no-no. Declare all currency over $10,000....

You can bring booze, just make sure the bottle is sealed- but why bother..Canadian Rye Whisky is pretty damned good

 

[ogopogo]

Anything else I need to know or be concerned about? This is my first trip to Canada

Whenever you see a sign that says "Tim Hortons," be especially on the lookout for cagers panic braking, crossing three lanes of traffic, etc. Also, here in BC, cars are wired so that turn signals can only function if the brake lights are already on.

 

[CollingsBob]

You’re very wise to leave your gun(s) at home..Rifles & shotguns, properly locked & cased can come across but hand guns are quite difficult, open carry is impossible..and because no one else has a gun, you simply won’t need them. Canada customs will do a search for a criminal record, so make sure you declare everything, porn on your computer or iphone is a huge no-no. Declare all currency over $10,000....You can bring booze, just make sure the bottle is sealed- but why bother..Canadian Rye Whisky is pretty damned good

I should have said -“very few people own handguns”, not “no one else”...

 

[Spud]

Here's my $0.02 on riding in Canada, having ridden quite a lot up there (at least 2x/year I head up).

Follow a local rabbit if one shows up but don't lead. Don't ever pass a cop. I watched a guy with cruise control creep up on a cop for a long ways then barely pass him maybe 1 KM faster, soon as he's in front the cop lit him up. If oncoming traffic flashes you slow down no matter what. There are some nasty speed traps occasionally (radar guns on tripods), and the locals like to warn each other.

You can bring in booze but there's a limit (look it up). I usually grab a six-pack of beer somewhere if I can fit it in just before I cross b/c it costs 2X there. Gas is more too. I usually top off just before the border and try to leave empty to refill back in the US.

It's super fun riding up there and in general the roads are usually really well maintained and the drivers are definitely better. They aren't all on cell phones like here, and get the concept of passing lanes. Finally, for fun in the corners match your speed in MPH to the posted KM.

 

[CollingsBob]

#1 on finding a local rabbit, I try to be about a click back, did this last summer cruising along @ 140km/hr.. he got his ticket punched, I slowed to 100 and sailed through.

There are still a lot of idiots on their cel phones..be aware & ride defensively, use your horn to wake them up

 

[Old Michael]

. . . Anything else I need to know or be concerned about? . . . first trip to Canada.

A blonde on a Road Glide.

An OR nurse on a purple (07) FJR.

(Edited for clarity.)

JSNS

 

[hppants]

^^^^^ either one of those is VERY likely to make the ride report!!!

 

[juniorfjr]

. . . Anything else I need to know or be concerned about? . . . first trip to Canada.

Blondes on Road Glides.

OR nurses on purple FJRs.

JSNS

Or a Californian on a black Can Am. ese

 

[CollingsBob]

Even if they are NOT female?

 

[hppants]

A MALE nurse on a purple FJR? Hell yeah, that's going in the ride report....