There are a few intrepid “backpackers” coming through our Toronto hostel who want greater freedom to explore North America.
These travelers have budgeted enough to purchase or hire a vehicle and take adavantage of the continent’s excellent road and highway infrastructure.
Yves Dewaele, from Belgium is a mechanic with more than 20 years experince riding motorcycles. He has owned them, repaired them and even raced them. In short he is not a novice rider.
To rent a car or RV is no problem (if you are over 25; licenced; and have a credit card) but a little on the expensive side just as it is anywhere else.
Here in Ontario, purchasing a Motor Bike or Car can be a bit of a nightmare.
Our laws here require a purchaser to possess a valid Canadian (Ontario) Licence which means you must swap your foreign licence. In addition, Yves was forced to retest for a motorcycle endorsement.
As mentioned, he is no stranger to two wheeled highway riding. But his “new” licence treated him as beginner and insurance premiums restricted him to a maximum of 750 c.c. engines. (Insurance for about 4 months cost him welll over $1000).
Yves toured North America all summer and in the process logged more than 29,000 kms.
He arrived back at our hostels doors last week and was going through the process of selling his 650 c.c Suzuki. He will likely have to find as local buyer unless he finds a traveler willing to repeat the complicated process he encountered.
Regulations differ from Province to Province in Canada and from State to State in the U.S. But U.S. insurance is less expensive (but far less comprehensive) than Canada’s.
If you are planning to buy a vehicle to explore North America, do your homework and search the web for alternatives.
You might being with online forums such as this one:
http://travel.indie.my/2011/
Then drive/ride safely and Happy Motoring!
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Yves running 3d in a race on the European Circuit
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Yves with a fallen Giant Redwood