cross canada ride - so where can i get a bike?hire or buy?

[bazza950]

If all goes to plan this summer should see me ride from Nova Scotia to Vancouver ,but where do I get a bike?
My plan is to keep heading west after so its a one way ride.In the last few years I have looked for a one way hire -without sucess -so it might be a buy and sell after arriving on the West Coast.
Sure its easy to do in a car but that's not what appeals.
Anyone have any ideas ,knowing our friends across the pond read this.
Even hiring in USA ,then heading over into  Canada -and returning south into the US on the west coast my be an option.
I really don't want to get an HD which i suppose is easiest but we know how they compare with the CT!
all suggestions welcomed-my dates would be this summer-after May but before Fall
bazza

[thetrecker]

Hi Bazza,
I done a trip in 2018, from Edmunton in Alberta, into B C, crossed the border into Montana and done a big loop of the states and back to Edmunton.
I started off on "kijiji.ca"  and got a feel for what's on offer. Seems they rate Harleys very highly and the Jap stuff much less so. I ended up buying a V Strom 650 fully loaded on this website, rode it for 7500miles and sold it at the end for about $450 less than I paid for it. All worked out super. If you know someone in Canada, their address helps. Don't let anyone tell you this or that is not possible... I even got a company in Florida to insure me in Canada on a Canada reg with an Irish licence, breezed into the US with no questions at all!.
Ref. the bike, the V Strom was lacking speed, seems most vehicles move along at 70mph and it was'nt fast enough to overtake safely. I'd be looking at a 1000cc VStrom or similar when I do the next venture over there.
Tom

[bazza950]

thanks thats great to know.I will aim to get to Boston and if I can buy a suitable bike it seems a good idea.Maybe a nationwide dealer would do a deal -if you have them across such as vast area! I note I can rent from Eagle Rider Rentals in Boston and drop off in Seattle but if "allowed " to cross in Canada i have to find out.So if I cant find a better buy/sell deal thats a back up -google says it's about 3600 miles so reckon on 5000 by the time you take those unmissable detours!

[bazza950]

thanks Tom that's great.I am easy about make of bike and even if I rent/buy in USA or Canada.As I am selling my firm-so burning my boats- the plan is extremely fluid and I am to do as much cruising from one land mass to the next - rather than fly. On my meetings /trips that involved Canada I have always found them really nice so that's why I want to be primarily north of the border.
Yes its obviously easy to hire a home grown bike but I have never enjoyed riding one of those - I love v twins and had a KTM for 11 years - but prefer a more modern design that the teeth rattling 1200's.
The NC will do it - easily- I did UK to Slovakia with "sandalfarm" a few years back  but obviously the bigger the motor/the less revs and logically a gentler ride at legal speeds.I always travel light so if I can't carry my gear easily it will be shipped ahead.It could be a good test for an NT1100 - the thought of riding one isn't exciting but it does fit the requirements. But if buy and sell after, any proven comfy bike would do - not a feet forward thing as I don't find that position comfortable -but otherwise any of  the big 4 offer suitable steeds.
last time in USA I hired an HD but was amzed to find they didn't off personal accident insurance -to cover hospital bills- This I think it's vital given their "No NHS" hospitals and its usually EXCLUDED from travel insurance you take out for holidays. So anyone wanting to ride abroad -check out the policy as +125cc is usually the cut off.