Question Regarding Toronto

[Geoff]

I'm planning a ride from Chicago to Toronto in June to attend a blues festival. My route will take me along routes 401 /2/ 3. How safe are the motels in London and Toronto for overnight parking? Any recommendations on places to stay or avoid?

[7up]

Trying posting a similar question but with more specifics (budget, dates, where you want to visit, etc) at www.gtamotorcycle.com
I recommend posting it in the cruising/touring section as the rest of the site has a large newbie on SS bike population who are just going to tell you not to park in underground condo parking.  If you haven't been up this way before I am sure depending on your time we can string together a nice scenic route and get you off the slab that is the 401. (Niagra-on-the-Lake, Cambridge backroads...)

P.S.  I am going to DT Chicago and Naperville in a few weeks and would like to take advantage of the all mighty canadian dollar. Any recommendations on motorcycle shops with good prices on gear (jackets, gloves, etc.)  I'm driving so no need for fun routes

Post #1

[spinalator]

Most hotels along that route I would not hesitate to leave the bike outside. If bags are removable I would always take them inside, but unless you are going deep into the bowels of the older parts of the city and off the beaten path. I am from Western Canada, so that is all I can recall for now, hopefully some of the Ontario crowd will chime in.

[matthew]

The hotels / motels are completely safe.  However, the 401 is much more dangerous.

[Geoff]

Trying posting a similar question but with more specifics (budget, dates, where you want to visit, etc) at www.gtamotorcycle.com
I recommend posting it in the cruising/touring section as the rest of the site has a large newbie on SS bike population who are just going to tell you not to park in underground condo parking.  If you haven't been up this way before I am sure depending on your time we can string together a nice scenic route and get you off the slab that is the 401. (Niagra-on-the-Lake, Cambridge backroads...)

P.S.  I am going to DT Chicago and Naperville in a few weeks and would like to take advantage of the all mighty canadian dollar. Any recommendations on motorcycle shops with good prices on gear (jackets, gloves, etc.)  I'm driving so no need for fun routes

Most dealers in Chicago and Naperville have a limited selection of gear. I can't think of any that offer what I'd call good deals. The only place I recommend is Downers Grove Yamaha. They're located in Downers Grove, IL, a western suburb of Chicago.  Google em' for more info.

As for my trip to Toronto...a direct route is more important than a scenic one. Route 401 takes me close to my destination, a place called Woodbine Park. Is 401 dangerous due to traffic congestion?


  

[spinalator]

Big and busy, keep your eyes peeled for wild lane changers. Some rush hour traffic in large American cities I found a little more disconcerting, but YMMV...

[7up]

Aaaahaa!  The Beaches Jazz Festival.  There is 2 Jazz Festivals http://www.beachesjazz.com  and   http://www.torontojazz.com  The Toronto Jazz festival is throughout the downtown core and mainly indoors and is a week or 2 later.
I would consider the 401 dangerous due to the bad drivers but were you are going you will not have to ride the bad portion (directly across the top of Toronto).
Your bike will be fine.  From where the Beaches Festival is being held you would pretty much find motels to the east (I wouldn't stay in'em) and hotels to the west (towards the downtown core).  With some planning I am sure you could finds some deals at Westin Harbour Castle, Marriot, King Edward.
I am in that area for work almost everyday but obviously never need a hotel/motel so haven't paid close attention. I will keep my eyes open in the coming days to see if I can spot any deals or good places I would be comfortable recommending.
I hope you enjoy your trip and get the weather you are surely hoping for.

[Slartibartfast]

at www.gtamotorcycle.com
I recommend posting it in the cruising/touring section as the rest of the site has a large newbie on SS bike population who are just going to tell you not to park in underground condo parking.

^^That. OMG, I think I just bruised my spleen. Thanks for the laugh.

Geoff, I have stayed at the Days Inn in London a couple of times and never had an issue - the bike was there next morning and everything.

[jimmy]

Ah, the 401.  You are in for a surprise!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Highway_401

King's Highway 401, also known by its official name as the Macdonald–Cartier Freeway and colloquially as the four-oh-one,[3] is a 400-Series Highway in the Canadian province of Ontario stretching from Windsor to the Quebec border. The segment of Highway 401 passing through Toronto is the busiest highway in North America,[4] and one of the widest and busiest in the world.[5][6]

[Flyer]

You will be bumper to bumper at 70++ mph in the sections where you are actually moving. The heat can be intense. You should plan carefully to be in the correct lanes, as volume and left and right exits for multiple destinations will conspire to enrage you.
The good news is you should only have 30 or so Km to endure that kind of pressure across the "top" of Toronto as you head south into the bowels of the Beach.
Personally, I find B&Bs a preferable way to stay, and much more amenable for security for your bike.
http://www.google.ca/search?q=b%26bs+in+the+beaches+toronto&hl=en&biw=1920&bih=1117&gbv=2&prmd=ivnscm&source=univ&tbm=plcs&tbo=u&ei=VEzMTYaSMsbb0QGp9vDTBA&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=more-results&resnum=1&ved=0CGwQtQMwAA

[biker_golf]

Geoff,

The 401 is the main corridor of highway travel in Ontario, but it's pretty boring, especially
from the Detroit / Windsor border to the western edge of greater Toronto.

When you get near Toronto, you will know it by the sheer volume of traffic. The 401 is
supposed to be the busiest highway in North America (yes, including USA), and like
another poster said, you will be moving at 70 with a lot of traffic around you.

There are about 6 million people within a 60 mile radius of Toronto city center, and only 3 major
throughfares (401, 407 (electronic toll, very expensive) and QEW/Gardiner Expressway/Don Valley Parkway).
The 403 is an alternate approach to Toronto (from the west side) that takes you to the QEW
and then finally dumps you back onto the 401.  Drivers here are generally no different than
anywhere else, but there is an added excitement level with the heavy traffic.

Safe trip.

[Baz]

Yes, stay off the 401 at all costs!

I have driven that highway in a full size SUV and was getting passed at 140 km/hr. Of course in rush hour it turns into a parking lot.