(almost) Cross-Canada Adventure

dda140 · 05-09-2012, 11:59 AM

Hey Guys,
I’m planning a quick trip from Halifax NS to Calgary AB starting June 6. You can check it out here: http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msa=0&...e58051e76954f9 . First I fly to Halifax, where I have to find a bike (probably going to buy one sight un-seen before I go). I then have to go 1250km to Montreal to meet some Pals for the Formula 1 race weekend. And then I have about 4000 km to go in 8 days… It’s gonna be a long haul but it’s the type of adventure I’m looking for right now…
SO… I need to find a bike…
I currently ride an ’05 Suzuki S83 Boulevard in Calgary. Ideally I want to buy a Vstrom or F800GS, or anything along those lines. Unfortunately my budget only allows for around a $5000 bike. This has me looking at a couple SV650’s but I’m afraid the posture on that bike will destroy me before I get to Montreal. I’m also looking at some early 90’s Harley Sportsters… I know, I know… Smite the Harley if you must, I just figured if I’m driving a heavy dog of a cruiser, it might as well be a Harley. There are a ton of metric cruisers for sale in my price range too, but I want to ride something different than what I already have if at all possible.
So hit me with your thoughts. I’m still picking out a bike, a route, and if you have any good places to stop/stay over night let me know. I’ll be in hotels and a tenting if things go to plan. Thanks!
Looking forward to some good input!
Dave

max384 · 05-12-2012, 11:03 AM

If you go the SV650 route, the ergos really aren't all that aggressive stock. Most sportbike riders that use their SV650s for track or aggressive sport riding generally put new rearsets on to make them a more aggressive bikes. The S model SV650 has clipons that are kind of low and can be tiring over time. I've been contemplating replacing my clipons with handlebars, or at least getting risers for the clipons.

I'd imagine that you could find a decent Vstrom for under $5000 though. Well, actually, I guess I have no idea the price of bikes in Canada... So maybe not?

Where do you live? How come you're flying into Halifax instead of riding from your house?

Either way, it looks like it should be a fun trip. I'm planning a Canada trip this summer; likely to Newfoundland (from Northeast PA). It won't be as expansive as your trip, but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless.

dda140 · 05-17-2012, 01:35 PM

Still no signs of a cheap Vstrom... :( the Harley I was thinking about is gone... kinda glad about that... Hahaha. There's a KLR650 with luggage on the market, I'm just not sure it's the right bike to drive 5000+km...Somebody suggester a Suzuki GSX650FA if I can dig one up, I'm not sure about the riding position (I'm 6'-1", 190lbs). I also saw a Kawasaki Versys on-line somewhere... any thoughts? any of these terrible? Will a KLR burn the all-terrain tires off before I make it to Montreal? Thanks!

dda140 · 05-25-2012, 07:14 AM

!!!*! BAAAAaaaaammmmm!!!!! V-Strom! http://imgc.classistatic.com/cps/kjc...710g02_20.jpeg
That beauty will be waiting for me in Halifax!!!! So jacked up!!! Now... all I have to do is ride across the country... SWEET!!!

max384 · 05-25-2012, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dda140

!!!*! BAAAAaaaaammmmm!!!!! V-Strom! http://imgc.classistatic.com/cps/kjc...710g02_20.jpeg
That beauty will be waiting for me in Halifax!!!! So jacked up!!! Now... all I have to do is ride across the country... SWEET!!!

Nice! How much did you get it for?

dda140 · 05-28-2012, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max384

Nice! How much did you get it for?

$6800 is what we discussed. More than I wanted to pay but I feel really confident with the sale. The seller sounds like an awesome nice guy, he's gonna hold it for me until I get there. He wouldn't accept a deposit on it. He said "I don't want to you pay me anything until you see it..." That being said, it sounds like it's in phenominal shape! 12000km, supposedly never seen the red-line, and he described the 3 "scars" on it which include a rock chip, a scuff on the hand gaurd from another bike and a scuf on the seat from his boot... "NOT a cut! Its just a scuff..." he emphasized greatly. Other than that, its in perfect shape. The guy's an airplane mechanic, seems to know his way around the bike, not to mention he's been riding for over 40yrs. He's selling this one but keeping his SV650, 62 yrs old, and he still loves going quick on a sport bike. This guys, even offered to pick me up at the airport! So far, I think I'm going to meet some incredible people in Halifax! I can't wait! I only hope it's not one of those "too good to be true" stories, but im not that worried. The guy talked my ear off for 45 min the other day, I think hes almost as excited about my adventure as I am! Now I just need a few more POI to stop at... Hit the link at the the top of the thread, take a look at my approximate route and help me tweak it! Thanks for commenting!

Slowphil · 05-28-2012, 07:53 PM

Hi, when are you getting here? If you want since I'm heading to Halifax on Friday (1st of June)I'll take a look at the bike (I own a dl650), ping me. A couple of suggestions if you have the time, when you get to Moncton ride back down to the Bay of Fundy along 114 or 915(915 is better), up to Quimpamsis and Rothesay and over to St. John. Take 7 up to Oromocto before rejoining your route. From Fredericton instead of taking the Trans Canada travel up the other side of the St. John river, you can see the worlds biggest axe and all sorts of things. When you get to Trois Riviere you can either take 20 to Montreal or cross the St. Lawrence on the ferry and take 40, either way is 4 lane highway, if you get off either one and travel the back roads you'll see more of the real French Canadian way of life.

Algonquin Park is beautiful but there's lots of OPP on that road, go the speed limit. When you get to the 400 and 12 below Port Severn, take 12 over to Midland (love that town) and ride around Georgian Bay(known as the fresh water sea) through Wasaga Beach before reaching Collingwood and connecting up with your route . The rest of your trip through Ontario I really like as well.

Have to add, all my suggestions add time to your route but are really nice places. Have a good time.

Cheers Slowphil

Truenorth2005 · 05-29-2012, 07:36 PM

If you're not pressed for time and want to avoid slabbing it across the prairies I suggest a more scenic route to the north of the Trans Canada. It's only about 100 kms further and avoids nearly all of the 4 lane and a lot of the heavy truck traffic. See link http://www.google.ca/maps?saddr=Calg...,5,6,7&t=m&z=5 It also gives a few more "Tent Space Map" opportunities for overnight stops.

Buddy_Holly · 01-09-2013, 09:28 PM

TN,
Does this mean this route is dirt or just small paved road?

I am considering traveling north from New Mexico up into Canada, then east past Winnipeg, south to Minneapolis and on to other plains states U.S. before heading home to NM

Dirt or Small road is good- trial probably not.

Traveling by KTM 950.

Thanks in advance

BH

05-09-2012, 11:59 AM	#1
dda140 ^OP n00b Joined: Oct 2011 Location: Calgary Ab Oddometer: 4	(almost) Cross-Canada Adventure Hey Guys, I’m planning a quick trip from Halifax NS to Calgary AB starting June 6. You can check it out here: http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msa=0&...e58051e76954f9 . First I fly to Halifax, where I have to find a bike (probably going to buy one sight un-seen before I go). I then have to go 1250km to Montreal to meet some Pals for the Formula 1 race weekend. And then I have about 4000 km to go in 8 days… It’s gonna be a long haul but it’s the type of adventure I’m looking for right now… SO… I need to find a bike… I currently ride an ’05 Suzuki S83 Boulevard in Calgary. Ideally I want to buy a Vstrom or F800GS, or anything along those lines. Unfortunately my budget only allows for around a $5000 bike. This has me looking at a couple SV650’s but I’m afraid the posture on that bike will destroy me before I get to Montreal. I’m also looking at some early 90’s Harley Sportsters… I know, I know… Smite the Harley if you must, I just figured if I’m driving a heavy dog of a cruiser, it might as well be a Harley. There are a ton of metric cruisers for sale in my price range too, but I want to ride something different than what I already have if at all possible. So hit me with your thoughts. I’m still picking out a bike, a route, and if you have any good places to stop/stay over night let me know. I’ll be in hotels and a tenting if things go to plan. Thanks! Looking forward to some good input! Dave

05-12-2012, 11:03 AM	#2
max384 Disgruntled Student Joined: Nov 2011 Location: Sugar Notch, PA Oddometer: 1,559	If you go the SV650 route, the ergos really aren't all that aggressive stock. Most sportbike riders that use their SV650s for track or aggressive sport riding generally put new rearsets on to make them a more aggressive bikes. The S model SV650 has clipons that are kind of low and can be tiring over time. I've been contemplating replacing my clipons with handlebars, or at least getting risers for the clipons. I'd imagine that you could find a decent Vstrom for under $5000 though. Well, actually, I guess I have no idea the price of bikes in Canada... So maybe not? Where do you live? How come you're flying into Halifax instead of riding from your house? Either way, it looks like it should be a fun trip. I'm planning a Canada trip this summer; likely to Newfoundland (from Northeast PA). It won't be as expansive as your trip, but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless. __________________ '09 Suzuki SV650, '02 KLR250 Pennsylvania to Newfoundland Ride Report

05-29-2012, 07:36 PM	#8
Truenorth2005 Adventurer Joined: Apr 2010 Location: Western Manitoba Oddometer: 41	Alternative Prairie Route If you're not pressed for time and want to avoid slabbing it across the prairies I suggest a more scenic route to the north of the Trans Canada. It's only about 100 kms further and avoids nearly all of the 4 lane and a lot of the heavy truck traffic. See link http://www.google.ca/maps?saddr=Calg...,5,6,7&t=m&z=5 It also gives a few more "Tent Space Map" opportunities for overnight stops. Truenorth2005 screwed with this post 05-31-2012 at 09:38 PM

01-09-2013, 09:28 PM	#9
Buddy_Holly Imminent Train Wreck Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Gallup, NM Oddometer: 849	TN, Does this mean this route is dirt or just small paved road? I am considering traveling north from New Mexico up into Canada, then east past Winnipeg, south to Minneapolis and on to other plains states U.S. before heading home to NM Dirt or Small road is good- trial probably not. Traveling by KTM 950. Thanks in advance BH __________________ God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy.

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05-17-2012, 01:35 PM	#3
dda140 ^OP n00b Joined: Oct 2011 Location: Calgary Ab Oddometer: 4	Still no signs of a cheap Vstrom... :( the Harley I was thinking about is gone... kinda glad about that... Hahaha. There's a KLR650 with luggage on the market, I'm just not sure it's the right bike to drive 5000+km...Somebody suggester a Suzuki GSX650FA if I can dig one up, I'm not sure about the riding position (I'm 6'-1", 190lbs). I also saw a Kawasaki Versys on-line somewhere... any thoughts? any of these terrible? Will a KLR burn the all-terrain tires off before I make it to Montreal? Thanks!

05-25-2012, 07:14 AM	#4
dda140 ^OP n00b Joined: Oct 2011 Location: Calgary Ab Oddometer: 4	!!!*! BAAAAaaaaammmmm!!!!! V-Strom! http://imgc.classistatic.com/cps/kjc...710g02_20.jpeg That beauty will be waiting for me in Halifax!!!! So jacked up!!! Now... all I have to do is ride across the country... SWEET!!!

05-28-2012, 07:53 PM	#7
Slowphil REALLY Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2004 Location: on that long northbound road to home Oddometer: 1,222	Hi, when are you getting here? If you want since I'm heading to Halifax on Friday (1st of June)I'll take a look at the bike (I own a dl650), ping me. A couple of suggestions if you have the time, when you get to Moncton ride back down to the Bay of Fundy along 114 or 915(915 is better), up to Quimpamsis and Rothesay and over to St. John. Take 7 up to Oromocto before rejoining your route. From Fredericton instead of taking the Trans Canada travel up the other side of the St. John river, you can see the worlds biggest axe and all sorts of things. When you get to Trois Riviere you can either take 20 to Montreal or cross the St. Lawrence on the ferry and take 40, either way is 4 lane highway, if you get off either one and travel the back roads you'll see more of the real French Canadian way of life. Algonquin Park is beautiful but there's lots of OPP on that road, go the speed limit. When you get to the 400 and 12 below Port Severn, take 12 over to Midland (love that town) and ride around Georgian Bay(known as the fresh water sea) through Wasaga Beach before reaching Collingwood and connecting up with your route . The rest of your trip through Ontario I really like as well. Have to add, all my suggestions add time to your route but are really nice places. Have a good time. Cheers Slowphil