We are going to Niagara Falls over the Memorial day weekend and was considering coming home through Canada to Detroit and back to Indiana.
My questions are
1. Helmets?
2. Passports? (have heard that just ID and birth cert. till june 1 '09)?
3. QUICK must see's, this route will add about 200 miles to our ride?

Any input from those who know the answers is great!!

 

I'm not from Ontario so I can't help you with the "must sees" but helmets are a must. You are correct about the passport requirement

 

You also need a special proof of insurance card that your insurance company can supply.

 

Haven't been to the falls since I was a kid, enjoy the ride.

 

Just stay on your side =No problems.

 

Canada is a helmet Country, so you need those
Passports will be required soon, just get one it makes the crossing that much faster and they are good for 10 years
Don't forget to brush up on the metric system, speed is in KPH

 

You will need helmets in Canada, New York, and Michigan for sure. My experience has been that it's easier to get into Canada than to get back in the states. I used to live in MI, and made that ride many times to Niagra. My suggestion is bring a passport, it's much much easier getting back in the US.

 

1. Helmets...yes
2. Get special proof of insurance for Canada (thanks Harleypingman i would have forgot to mention that)
3. Bring the Passport (makes things much easier and it will be required as of 6/1/09)
4. You will probably be asked a few backround questions before being allowed into Canada. I have heard of people being denied entry because they had a DUI and such.
5. memorize the speeed limit conversion for MPH to KPH (just multiply the KPH by 0.6)

If you are good to go an all the above criteria...have fun and enjoy your trip.

 

What's the special proof of insurance? I can be at Canadian Customs in 20 minutes from my driveway and have been there more times than I can count. No one has ever asked for any "special" proof. Actually, no one has ever asked me for any proof of insurance (health or motorcycle). Actually, Niagara thru Detroit and Canada will save 100+ miles vs going around Lake Erie stateside. Just take a credit card and use it for all Canadian purchases. Your bank will give you the best exchange rate that way. At the border, both sides, play it straight with customs. They don't have a sense of humor.

 

It's many years since I did it living in MI. but as I remember there isn't much to see fr Detroit to Niagara Falls and if it adds 200 Miles I wouldn't bother unless someone comes up w must see idea.