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Very Active Member
Best Border Crossing from Michigan into Canada
Trying to plan a nice ride to SITA from Chicago area. I am thinking of using the north route through Canada. What's the best place to cross into Canada? I was looking at Port Huron or Detroit area.
Also, any tips a Yank needs to know when riding in Canada? (Besides the obvious, passport, registration, insurance, switch to Km)
Thanks in advance for any help.
Illinois Patriot Guard
Founding member of Woodstock Spyder Ryders
2014 RTS SE6 - White
2010 RT/AC SE5 retired with 26,536 miles
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Free Thinking Member
![Quote](images/misc/quote_icon.png) Originally Posted by Papa
Trying to plan a nice ride to SITA from Chicago area. I am thinking of using the north route through Canada. What's the best place to cross into Canada? I was looking at Port Huron or Detroit area.
Also, any tips a Yank needs to know when riding in Canada? (Besides the obvious, passport, registration, insurance, switch to Km)
Thanks in advance for any help.
I don't have any riding tips other than to stay at the speed limit. And that's not miles per hour, that was hard for me.
I would take the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron. Easy on and off the bridge. I have never been through the Windsor tunnel but that is probably not to bad. A lot of traffic on both sides I believe. DO NOT take the Ambassador Bridge. Please do not put another dime in Matty Maroun's pocket. Plus it is a bit of a nightmare from what I understand, a lot of truck traffic. Trucks are not allowed through the Windsor Tunnel.
Last edited by mxz600; 06-26-2012 at 09:43 AM.
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Registered Users
![Quote](images/misc/quote_icon.png) Originally Posted by mxz600
I would take the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron. Easy on and off the bridge.
I concur!
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Very Active Member
Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron..... agree 1000000%
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Spyder #1 - 2008 GS SM5 Premier Edition #1977. RIP after 80,000 miles.
Spyder #2 - 2012 RT SM5. Traded in after 24,000 miles.
Spyder #3 - 2015 F3 SM6. Put 13,000 miles on and sold it.
Spyder #4 - 2017 F3 SM6. Too good of a deal to pass up!
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I agree about the ambasitor bridge. Can't believe he is convincing so many people its a bridge to nowhere so he can maintain his cash cow. I'm sure Canadian's arnt very happy being called "nowhere"
Jayson & Maggie
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT-S Cognac
2012 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Edition Brown
2010 NT700V Red
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Free Thinking Member
![Quote](images/misc/quote_icon.png) Originally Posted by Jayson
I agree about the ambasitor bridge. Can't believe he is convincing so many people its a bridge to nowhere so he can maintain his cash cow. I'm sure Canadian's arnt very happy being called "nowhere"
Always good to see another Michigan Spyder.
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Very Active Member
Problems with KPH? Pull over, and switch your display to kilometers in your settings. Should help.
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Very Active Member
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Free Thinking Member
![Quote](images/misc/quote_icon.png) Originally Posted by Arr MiHardies
Problems with KPH? Pull over, and switch your display to kilometers in your settings. Should help.
Good call on switching over the display on the Spyder. I have only traveled in Canada on four wheels and my eyes just are not trained to look at that other set of numbers on the Speedometer.
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The Blue Water Bridge is the way to go. Last year there was a lot of construction just before the bridge so be carseful there. Be sure to fill up your tank before you cross over as gas in Canada is very expensive. You'll hit a bunch of traffic around the Toronto area but then it gets very rural and pretty. When I went to SITA we took 401 there and came back via 3 around Lake Ontario with a side trip to Niagara Falls and then back across the Blue Water (I lived in West Michigan at the time) The ride around Lake Ontario was gorgeous and I would highly recommend it. However, the border crossing at Niagara Falls took a long time to get through.
Have a great time at SITA - I had a blast last year and wish I was able to go again this year.
2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
2013 RTS-SM5 burned up with 13,200 miles in 13 weeks
2010 RTS-SM5 59,148 miles
2010 RT- 622
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Take the ferry across at Marine City/Sombra
I have crossed over from Michigan to Ontario using all of the various border crossings. (Ambassador Bridge/Detroit Windsor Tunnel/Bluewater Bridge, Walpole Island Ferry, Sombra Ferry)
The Sombra Ferry out of Marine City, Michigan to Sombra, Ontario has been the most convenient for us. The bridges can get very congested at various times and I find the short ferry ride better than waiting in traffic line ups at the border. The agents on both sides of the border tend to be very efficient and we have never had any issues using this route.
Crossing into New York State on your way to SITA can be done at either Fort Erie, Wolf Island up near Kingston, or the bridge at Prescott Ontario. I like the Wolf Island bridge (Thousand Islands area) entry into upper state NY, but that is just me.
In short you have options. Unfortunately, once you hit Ontario you will have a few more hours of slab riding before getting over to the twisties in upper state NY. Lots of options......
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Active Member
Port Huron will work best for you, unless small ferries are your thing. Take the one from Algonac Mi, and it lands on an Indian Reservation(Walpole Island). Used to take the kids across that way just because it was different than the Ambassador Bridge or Detroit/Windsor tunnel. Been across those more times than I can count. From there take highway 402 to 401 to 403 to the QEW. That will take you right to Buffalo-unless you skip off at 420 and take in Niagara Falls. Heading thru Canada is much shorter for you.
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Very Active Member
From the Blue Water Bridge you've got 2 choices, Buffalo or the Thousand Islands, Buffalo puts you near Niagara, Thousand Islands may take a little longer, but the scenery is really great. I'd suggest going out one way, coming back the other.
john
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Very Active Member
Into Canada
A word of caution. Make sure you do not have any DUI problems. My brother-in-law who no longer drives was with us and when they checked in the computer his status they found that he never completed the required DUI course from a few years back so he was not allowed to enter. Of course I wanted to leave him right there and continue the trip but the spouse's convinced me otherwise.
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Registered Users
Maybe our Canadian friends can clarify this. Used to be you could not cross the border with a functional CB radio. I don't know how they handle built in radios. Maybe they don't care any more
Duck
Michael Spivack
2007 Goldwing
2012 RT Limited Lava (traded 5/2/14)
RT Mods. Cup holder, Utopia Backrest, Hi mounter tail light, FZ1 fuse box, aux power outlet, CB and Gerbing outlets
2014 RT Limited Cognac (purchased 5/2/14)
RT Mods. Cup holder, Spyder Backrest, 2012 CB and Gerbing outlets
GWRRA
Cape Cod, Ma.
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Registered Users
![Quote](images/misc/quote_icon.png) Originally Posted by Mspiv
Maybe our Canadian friends can clarify this. Used to be you could not cross the border with a functional CB radio. I don't know how they handle built in radios. Maybe they don't care any more
Not a problem. Truckers use them all the time as well.
Aspydering Ryder
subsisto inrideo amicitia
I may not be perfect but, I am Canadian, and that's close enough!
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