Questions about riding in Canada (Ontario especially)

My family is moving up to Ottawa to be closer to the wife's family. I have been riding here for several years in the US. Typically here in the US, you can ride at a spirited pace in the twisties without worrying about getting ticketed or pulled over. There are hardly any drivers on the backroads anyway!

My question is... how much do you have to worry about getting pulled over on the twisties? I am not a wheelie or stunt guy.. I just like to ride a little spirited on back roads.
The reason I bring it up is I have watched several youtube vids of people riding in Canada and also read posts of Canadian riders saying things like "I'll lose my license" when caught speeding.

What are some of the general consequences for breaking the speed limit?

One last one... I would like to ride in the Adirondacks, what is the procedure for crossing the border on a motorcycle?

Thanks for any insight you may have!

 

Well, recent changes to the Highway Traffic Act, have made speeding very expensive if you get caught. 50km+ over the speed limit is roadside seizure of your vehicle, lose your license for a week(can't remember to be sure?), vehicle is impounded, so looking at hefty fines, impound fees, towing fees etc... That said, on the 'good twistie riding roads', you rarely will see any enforcement (not saying it doesn't happen, you still need to watch that speedo, especially in spots coming into towns 50km speed zones etc.) Enforcement is very noticeable on the major highways and transport routes, any 400 series highway, hwy 7, hwy 17 etc... Generally they will leave you alone if you are ~20km/h over but careful going any higher, or if your in a resi or school area!

I haven't yet crossed the border on a bike, but don't see it being any different than being in a car, just make sure you have a valid passport and your not packing any guns/weapons and you shouldn't have any problems. Hopefully doing a trip to PA for a couple days next week, if the weather stays decent.

Ottawa is a very beautiful city and part of the country. Lots of good riding, tons of outdoor activities (if it's your thing) access to cheap beer from quebec/new york, and much more affordable than the money pit that Toronto is.

 

I cross the border regularly on my motorcycle.

While in line waiting to see the customs officer, get the chin strap undone so it's easy to get your helmet off and your passport easily accessible.

As soon as you approach the agent, turn your bike off and put it on the sidestand ... stay on the bike ... take your helmet off and present your passport and answer their questions.

When you're done, put your helmet on, move through the border and pull over in a safe place on the other side (usually a spot about 50-100 feet) to put your passport away and put your gear back on properly.

 

Like Jeff said. I have a Nexus pass so can get through quite fast. But on the bike, I pull to the side of the nexus line just before the gate (both sides) and pull my lid off and leave it on top of may head. Once done with the agents, I just pull ahead past the booth and to the side to properly put on the helmet. It works without fail for me. I have not run into any issue. Matter of fact, I see, to run into quite a few agents who have an interest in bikes.

Leaving all weapons at home cannot be understated when entering Canada. Including OC spray or bear spray or whatever you want to call it. Even though it is readily available to buy here in Canada, you cannot cross the border with it. Don't know about returning to the USA with it.

A little google work and you can find out what you can and cannot bring across.

 

Pretty much what Randy and Jeff said about the crossing. I have always left my lid on but opened the front up. Keep change easily accessible for tolls if needed, passport ready and pull over after to fix your gear. Never had any problems there. As far as spirited riding goes... You take a chance same as anywhere. Some places are worse than others so try to keep with traffic till you know the area. I usually try to keep it under 20Kph over the limit as 15 over is the minimum fine and there are no points lost. You will take a hit with your insurance though so you need to fight every ticket. I lived in Ottawa for a few years, be prepared for cold cold cold in the winter. You might want to get some quotes for insurance as you might be a little surprised at how much it costs in Ontario. Riders Plus has constantly given me the best price as well as a few friends but the y don't do sport bikes, we have a sport touring model though and they are ok with that.

 

Unless there is new agreements in place, you cannot get points assessed to your out of province driver's licence so there should be no effect on your insurance. The issue of impoundment may differ from province to province too. Traffic laws and regulations are a provincial matter here in Canada. But generally, they are very similar from one province to another. Usually very similar to most states as well.

BTW. If you get tagged, don't argue at roadside. You will not win. Period. You may win in court though. The cop does not care if you tell him you have a picture of his wife nakid. He does not care what you think of him either. He cares about his paycheck.

 

The common rule of thumb around where I live is that more than 20kph over the limit is when they'll pull you over, but it's an extremely loose rule in either direction. I've got friends who've gotten tickets for around 10kph over, and I've passed by plenty of officers while doing 30kph over and I've yet to get a performance award.

 

Yep .. Keep to the no more than 20KM ! over rule and you should be fine .... We here in Ontario are over charged for just about everything and insurance, fuel and fines also apply. Wait until you get to the liquor store !!

 

It would really be great if crossing the US/Canadian and Canadian/US borders was that painless. The dude you might be dealing with is on the rag or his chica tossed a cockroach into his oatmeal that day or his boss just reamed him for being to lenient or he is constipated, or a harleydood or both.

Crossing once into Canada at Osoyoos one of the guys I was riding with got held up for aboot an hour because he hadn't shaved for aboot three days. He was a USAF Chief Master Sergeant and at one time was Crew Chief on Air Force One.

I have hundreds of friends in Canada but I forget their names...

 

Get a NEXUS card for pain free crossings. Everyone I know with one swears by it.

I'll be getting one over the winter with how much I cross.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

 

I've found Ontario to have a lot of OPP on the roads. There are signs everywhere on the fines involved at different speeds. I've passed a cop going 40kms over, but it was on a corner going up hill. I was very lucky with that one!
Any time we exceed the speed limit,we are responsible for the consequences. I myself have really been pushing my luck in the speeding dept. It's hard to behave on a 1200

 

Our next great President Donald J. Trump said in a recent meeting said that if crossing into the United States from any border one should not spend too much time in a tanning booth beforehand.

 

Reminds me. You are two months late on your friendship fees.

I can't be bought but open to rent and or long term leases.

 

Reminds me to say, certain provinces (maybe all of Canada now, not sure) will transfer points received in CAN to your US driver's license. At least that is how is was in the 90's for the Ontario province. My friend received one in Ontario and it transferred (or they report the ticket to the US state, and they issue the points to them) the point to his US license. Not sure if that is still in play. I remember the days when your home state did not issue points for convictions received in other states. Yes, it has happened to me.