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

[FastJoyRide]

Well said Panman! Polite visitors are most always welcome at Canadian borders. Never lie - but never volunteer (I have never heard of a knife question). Visibly wearing a weapon of any kind on your person will most certainly start a discussion... A camping knife stowed with your other camping gear will never be a problem. No firearms, no clips, no ammo, no exceptions! (I will tell you my friends story in Nakusp if youre interested.

Best gear advice above is be prepared for everything. We have had a couple of high 70s days already, but the evenings will usually be coolish beside the glacier-fed Columbia River in mid-June. We had one day of rain last time (2009) but the weather can be anything from gorgeous to horrible,. I personally wear Motoport Kevlar mesh gear and pack raingear and an electric jacket - all season!

My adult son flew home one year and when questioned about alcohol told CBSA: I am bringing my Dad a bottle of single-malt from the duty-free. The border agent without any hint of a smile said: so what I am hearing you declare is that you have a bottle of scotch for your personal consumption, Er - yes! - said my son

 

[hppants]

I am being a tad paranoid about it. Good advice, Panman.

It's just that using the "avoid drawing attention to yourself" plan is absolutely out the window. I mean - let's face it. When you see two good looking strapping, virile, and healthy men approaching on two GORGEOUS motorcycles (admittedly the red one just a smidge more gorgeous than the other), wearing matching gear, with luggage and baggage that clearly demonstrates that they are ready for anything, and riding with 100% confidence.... well...... who's gonna look the other way?

Now then, it is what it is. We can try to slather mud all over the bikes. We can let a couple of bird **** on the shoulder of our jackets. We can let our beards kind of grow out and get a bit unruly. But I doubt that will be good enough.

Heaven forbid, if the Mountie at the border is a Harley rider, then we've got to be reasonably prepared for the shakedown.

 

[BigOgre]

Wait - you two have matching gear and luggage??

 

[FJRay]

Wait - you two have matching gear and luggage?? mg2:

Makes one wonder about them southern boys.

 

[MEM]

Wait - you two have matching gearand luggage??

+1

Good think we Canuckistanis are so inclusive and embrace diversity ....

 

[MEM]

For petes sake this aint the Kings palace, stress less ride more and don't be stupid! Only one you have to worry about is MEM.

Look at this way .... in my (fairly extensive) x-border travel experience, prices of goods and services - with the exception of gasoline and booze (which is all tax-related) - in both countries are similar.

BUT... the 'mericun dollar goes 20-25%ish further here.

So....you can bring personal -consumption booze, and if you have to buy bear spray or a knife, what's the big deal.

We're all about the love, baby ! Leave your guns at home, don't be a Forum smart-*** with the border agents, and ride on !

We're gonna have SUCH fun

 

[AdamK]

The only time I experienced any issue crossing the border into Canada was the time I rode up to the booth after the previous vehicle left, but before the light turned green. Brain fart on my part. The young lady at the booth was rather pissed and told me she doesn't take kindly to people trying to "run the border". What!? Really?? The first thing that came to my mind was a smart-*** response but seeing as how I did want to get into Canada without a cavity search I apologized profusely. There was one time, crossing into the US at Osoyoos, when I was asked to open my top box.

Other than that it's the usual questions about where I work, where I live, what do you do for a living. They also like to ask when was the last time was I visited Canada which I can never remember. I get up there at least a couple of times a year so I just say "6 months ago??" hoping that's about right.

 

[hppants]

Hey!!! Don't hate me 'cause ya ain't me....

I'll have you know that I've got a nice red jacket that accompanies my ride very well.

Josh's jacket is dirty. I believe that speaks for itself....

 

[exskibum]

KING ROOM AT ARROW LAKES LODGE AVAILABLE as of 4:19pm PDT on Wed. May 2. I just called to cancel, so you better get on your horse to scoop this premium room reservation for June 21 - 23 nights.

BTW, is Jeff around to cancel my Rally reservations? I sent him an e-mail on Saturday and have not heard back. Any insights or suggestions?

I envy you guys who are going. I wish things were different and that I was going. Have maximum fun and no crashing!

 

[FastJoyRide]

We wish you were coming too, I will touch base with Jeff and get him working on your refund.

Next time!

 

[SacramentoMike]

Better yet, just come to the next one, Rich. Free.

 

[K_Flyer]

Mary Ellen, I will buy you a beer! Curious what the option (sumthin) is.

Yes, we do have Google here but these days, with all the privacy issues, it's better to have someone else do the search. (Just kidding!).

My insurance agent pointed out that those of us south of the border are required to have a "Canada Non-Resident Inter-Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card" for travel in Canada. Your agent should not charge for this but you need to make sure it covers all the time you are in Canada. They may have to fudge it a bit if your renewal date falls while you are in Canada.

We'll have a great time, eh?

 

[hppants]

Hey Barb - don't forget, you owe me a Raccoon Story!!!

(I'm not sure if that was a derogatory comment or not....)

 

[MEM]

Mary Ellen, I will buy you a beer! Curious what the option (sumthin) is.

Yes, we do have Google here but these days, with all the privacy issues, it's better to have someone else do the search. (Just kidding!).
My insurance agent pointed out that those of us south of the border are required to have a "Canada Non-Resident Inter-Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card" for travel in Canada. Your agent should not charge for this but you need to make sure it covers all the time you are in Canada. They may have to fudge it a bit if your renewal date falls while you are in Canada.

We'll have a great time, eh?

'Sumthin' is limited only by one's imagination

re: the insurance business, if you take a closer look at your coverage, you may find that Canada is specified. I asked a couple of friends ( CBS agent and a friend whose hubby travels to Canada every few weeks) and neither knows anything about the need for an extra card. OTOH ... if it doesn't cost you anything ... <shrug>

Make sure the beer is cold

And the only Canuckistanis who say 'eh' are Quebecois and Newfies (maybe some Ontario guys )

 

[K_Flyer]

And the only Canuckistanis who say 'eh' are Quebecois and Newfies (maybe some Ontario guys )

I worked at the Chalk River Nuclear Labs just across the Ottawa from Quebec and 30 miles up from Renfrew for almost 10 years. I think that makes me one of those "some Ontario guys."

 

[NorCal FJR]

A month and a half out to blast off, I can't freaking wait!!!

 

[hppants]

@ Nor Cal - Ditto!

6 weeks from today, I'll be in route to meet my buddy in Dodge City!!!

(sure hope this back strain I'm nursing feels better by then....)

 

[FJRay]

@ Nor Cal - Ditto!
6 weeks from today, I'll be in route to meet my buddy in Dodge City!!!

(sure hope this back strain I'm nursing feels better by then....)

A few tugs on the old shampoo bottle should get you in good shape.

 

[Panman]

@ Nor Cal - Ditto!
6 weeks from today, I'll be in route to meet my buddy in Dodge City!!!

(sure hope this back strain I'm nursing feels better by then....)

So Pants, what are you thinking your going to try and see do or visit when you get this far north & west?

 

[Fontanaman]

@ Nor Cal - Ditto!
6 weeks from today, I'll be in route to meet my buddy in Dodge City!!!

(sure hope this back strain I'm nursing feels better by then....)

So Pants, what are you thinking your going to try and see do or visit when you get this far north & west?

Pants has been getting so much advice he maybe on over load by now. So many places so little time......