Planning a trip to eastern Canadian provinces.

[Manhattan Matte]

I've been practice-packing for my first long trip on my 2023 R18 Pure. Going to the eastern Canadian provinces for a 3-4 week trip in mid-June - up the east coast from Philadelphia to Maine, across into Canada, ferry to Nova Scotia, then on to Newfoundland, Labrador, and then back. Trailering the bike to Pennsylvania from Texas to meet up with my riding buddy. He rides a police version Road Glide, so we'll be pretty well matched. Done everything I can to make my Pure into a better long-distance rider, but I know it will never be a proper touring bike. Added Wilbers suspension, DayRider seat with backrest, Wunderlich sport fairing and foot rests, BMW saddlebags and tank bag, Akrapovic exhaust, Denali D7 auxiliary lights, The bike is good to go I think, so I've been focusing now on how to best pack for the trip to be ready for the elements - rain, cold, or heat. My R18 is no pack mule like my previous touring bike - a r1200 GSA, but I think I've got it down to a minimal size and weight - clothes, riding gear, rain gear, tool kit, tire kit, first aid kit, tie-downs for ferries, toiletries, phone, GPS, maps, etc. - all packed into about 64 liters of storage. No camping on this trip. I'd like to hear what you think about this set-up. Anything I'm missing? Any advice on packing or good travel tips for eastern Canada in mid-summer? Thanks in advance.

 

[Anibal]

Boy, I am excited for you and somehow a bit jealous (in a good way)
I can’t think of anything else except perhaps do a full service before setting off and a bit of bike security if you are to leave the bike outside overnight. My bike is never left outside but when I go to rallies etc, I always bring my heavy duty chain and lock just in case.
Looking forward to hearing from you and the adventures. Please do share pictures/videos.
Cheers

 

[Manhattan Matte]

Thanks, Anibal. Mine is a "new" 2023 left-over bike with less than 1,000 miles since the first service, which I did myself. Tires are almost new, so I think I'm good to go. I am a little concerned about not being able to lock the luggage, so I'll have to remove and unpack everything overnight. Maybe seeing my bike parked next to a police Harley Davidson will be a deterrent for any trouble.

 

[Anibal]

Maybe seeing my bike parked next to a police Harley Davidson will be a deterrent for any trouble.

Hell, I will say so. Good luck

 

[brcolbourne]

Hi Matte,
I live in Nova Scotia and have taken many trips to New England area on my bike, the ferry to Nova Scotia is expensive and does save any time. My preferred route across Maine is highway 9 From Bangor to Calais.

 

[Manhattan Matte]

Thanks for the tip, brcolbourne, I'll check into it. I'm still very much in the planning stages for routes for the trip, and welcome any advice and suggestions.

 

[Ct Ed]

I've been practice-packing for my first long trip on my 2023 R18 Pure. Going to the eastern Canadian provinces for a 3-4 week trip in mid-June - up the east coast from Philadelphia to Maine, across into Canada, ferry to Nova Scotia, then on to Newfoundland, Labrador, and then back. Trailering the bike to Pennsylvania from Texas to meet up with my riding buddy. He rides a police version Road Glide, so we'll be pretty well matched. Done everything I can to make my Pure into a better long-distance rider, but I know it will never be a proper touring bike. Added Wilbers suspension, DayRider seat with backrest, Wunderlich sport fairing and foot rests, BMW saddlebags and tank bag, Akrapovic exhaust, Denali D7 auxiliary lights, The bike is good to go I think, so I've been focusing now on how to best pack for the trip to be ready for the elements - rain, cold, or heat. My R18 is no pack mule like my previous touring bike - a r1200 GSA, but I think I've got it down to a minimal size and weight - clothes, riding gear, rain gear, tool kit, tire kit, first aid kit, tie-downs for ferries, toiletries, phone, GPS, maps, etc. - all packed into about 64 liters of storage. No camping on this trip. I'd like to hear what you think about this set-up. Anything I'm missing? Any advice on packing or good travel tips for eastern Canada in mid-summer? Thanks in advance.

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Good luck with the trip, please let me know what worked and what didn't, ie; the dayrider seat, the fairing, luggage etc.
After trying a half dozen fairing options on my '21 1st. Ed, I gave up and now have resigned to no screen, I find the air pretty smooth at all speeds.

 

[Manhattan Matte]

Hello Ct Ed, I've been experimenting with wind management on my R18 Pure to prepare for this first long trip. I've added a clear generic windshield extension to the Wunderlich fairing and their slightly taller touring screen, and I've added hand guard protectors that I found on Amazon. Both add to the protection, but compromise the clean looks of the bike, so these add-ons will certainly come off the bike once I return from the trip. The Day Rider seat with backrest and the Wilbers suspension are most definitely a big improvement on ride quality.

 

[Ct Ed]

yes, the backrest Im sure makes a world of difference

 

[Nathan]

I took an 8 day camping trip off of my r1150r from Indiana to Nova Scotia through Maine on the way up and down through the UP on the way back. It rained every day until the last. When the rain stopped we were camping in Ontario and it was mosquito central.

My Helen2Wheels bags kept my tent and sleeping bag dry. My sleeping bag had a built in pad and it compressed well into the big H2W bag. I highly recommend all of that. If i did it again, I would bring more dry socks, mosquito repellants and nets and at least one pair of weather proof gloves. I had highway pegs on my r1150r but not currently on my r18b. If I were going to ride it for a week I'd probably consider it.

Good luck on your trip!

 

[Manhattan Matte]

Thanks for the tips and mosquito alert, Nathan. I'm anticipating rain from all the videos I've watched, so I'll be packing water-proof riding gear. Won't be camping on this trip. Think I've reached my camping expiration date at my older age.