Canada Border Crossing
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
Thanks. I didn't think they would care about a state inspection. I am not sure that we care about our state inspection. My brother in law is a state cop and he said they really don't look for them only if you get pulled over for something else. I have never got my bikes inspected in 32 years and never had a problem. If I get nailed I will pay the fine and smile as I am money ahead at this point in my life. When I started riding many years ago my chopped bikes would not even pass inspection so I never bothered.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 274
From: Milton, Delaware
Three of us went to Montreal one day. The border agent just asked the typical questions "What's the purpose of your trip?" "How long are you staying?" "Business or pleasure?", "Carrying any guns or drugs?", "License, registration, Passport." All of this without leaving his little booth.
Coming back into the US, it was a little more involved but trouble free. They did ask us what state we were from (after looking at our drivers licenses). Then walked out and looked a little more closely at the bikes, but didn't ask to see anything on the bikes. "Have a nice day."
Coming back into the US, it was a little more involved but trouble free. They did ask us what state we were from (after looking at our drivers licenses). Then walked out and looked a little more closely at the bikes, but didn't ask to see anything on the bikes. "Have a nice day."
Last edited by Deucedog; Jun 25, 2012 at 09:33 PM.
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: MI
Shouldn't be much of a problem, but like said above, prior convictions may deny entry. You will need a passport to get back into the US. However, some states have an "Enhanced Driver's License" (They have those here in MI. Basically you show your birth certificate when you renew your license and it shows that you are a US citizen. The border has been tightened up since 9/11.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Just a couple of issues to state: Most work both entering and exiting. A polite smile and simple answers drastically reduce your chance of being checked.
1) Shut bike off well before booth (after stop I actually push mine forward about 15 feet then re-start)
2) Take off your shades and look at the officer.
3) This is NOT a time for jokes. You might blurt out something meant innocently but taken otherwise.
4) Have the documents ready. (DO NOT hold them in your saliva filled mouth as you approach the booth, (they get touchy abput you giving them spit covered documents)
5) Answer the questions quickly and HONESTLY
6) If you are leaving Canada and an agent asks if you bought anything at dutifree, they already know the answer. Don't get caught fibbing!!
7) Make sure all meds are in prescription bottles with Dr.s name and numbers on them as well as the name of the drup. The can verify these very quickly.
8) Item to NOT bring into Canada:
1) ANY firearm unless you had it cleared prior, which is not an easy process for first-timers.
2) Most any type of martial arts weapons.
3) ANY switchblade or any knife designed to be open by centrifical force (flick knives)
4) There are more but these are the most popular.
One last thing. During a 24 hour period at any border crossing a certain number of vehicles will be stopped. Most with be car, trucks, busses and a certain number of motorcycles. Sometimes its just a matter of whether your number has come up. What I have stated above is not complete but I guarantee it will lessen time waisetd at the borders.
1HarleyGuy1
1) Shut bike off well before booth (after stop I actually push mine forward about 15 feet then re-start)
2) Take off your shades and look at the officer.
3) This is NOT a time for jokes. You might blurt out something meant innocently but taken otherwise.
4) Have the documents ready. (DO NOT hold them in your saliva filled mouth as you approach the booth, (they get touchy abput you giving them spit covered documents)
5) Answer the questions quickly and HONESTLY
6) If you are leaving Canada and an agent asks if you bought anything at dutifree, they already know the answer. Don't get caught fibbing!!
7) Make sure all meds are in prescription bottles with Dr.s name and numbers on them as well as the name of the drup. The can verify these very quickly.
8) Item to NOT bring into Canada:
1) ANY firearm unless you had it cleared prior, which is not an easy process for first-timers.
2) Most any type of martial arts weapons.
3) ANY switchblade or any knife designed to be open by centrifical force (flick knives)
4) There are more but these are the most popular.
One last thing. During a 24 hour period at any border crossing a certain number of vehicles will be stopped. Most with be car, trucks, busses and a certain number of motorcycles. Sometimes its just a matter of whether your number has come up. What I have stated above is not complete but I guarantee it will lessen time waisetd at the borders.
1HarleyGuy1
Last edited by 1HarleyGuy1; Jun 25, 2012 at 10:18 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 908
Likes: 96
From: Red Deer, AB
Make sure your bikes are in a good state of tune. Parts up here are double what you pay in the US. Especially tires. I have run the Alaskan Hwy a few times. It wears tires faster than usual so I would make sure I had new shoes on before you head up. Enjoy the trip.
Canada doesn't mess around with DWI apparently.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Castle Rock, CO
So true! I crossed at Portal, ND 3 weeks ago on my way to Prudhoe Bay and declared my bear spray immediately (note that pepper spray for personal defense is not allowed but if the can is labeled "bear spray" it's ok - just can't be accessible to the rider while riding).
Conversation went something like this:
"Any other weapons?" - "No"
"Any guns?" - "no"
"Ammunition?" - "no"
"Magazines?" - "no"
"Any knives?" - "no"
"No folding knives?" - "no"
"Butterfly knives?" - "no"
"Switchblades?" - "no"
"Spring assisted opening knives?" - "no"
"Hunting knives?" - "no"
All in rapid fire staccato. By this time, I'm thinking to myself what part of "no other weapons" or "no knives" didn't cover all of the other types, and I'm trying not to bust out laughing. Wouldn't have been a good thing...
Conversation went something like this:
"Any other weapons?" - "No"
"Any guns?" - "no"
"Ammunition?" - "no"
"Magazines?" - "no"
"Any knives?" - "no"
"No folding knives?" - "no"
"Butterfly knives?" - "no"
"Switchblades?" - "no"
"Spring assisted opening knives?" - "no"
"Hunting knives?" - "no"
All in rapid fire staccato. By this time, I'm thinking to myself what part of "no other weapons" or "no knives" didn't cover all of the other types, and I'm trying not to bust out laughing. Wouldn't have been a good thing...
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 92
Likes: 3
From: Newport Tennessee
Nope they don`t...I had DWI`s in 1982,84 and 2001.(sober since 2001 by the way)..I went to Canada many times including 2002,3,4,5,7,8, and 2010 with no problems. Then in 2011 i was brought into immigration and treated like i was trying to tunnel under the falls with a backpack of heroin. They told me very harshly that they don`t allow criminals into Canada and if i ever try to come back they will arrest me, hold me in immigration until i have a hearing, then deport me. Needless to say i`m never going back! Fine with me, there`s plenty to see in the good ole USA.