It can be. Ask Wheelie boy about the snow he was riding through this summer while in the States heading back from California. Guys were posting the route the storm was taking so he could plot a route around it. Consider that an extreme. It's usually several degrees cooler, and you lose your light and heat faster when the sun gets lower in the sky. I was riding the Cabot Trail in 2010 wearing a mesh jacket by day, and at night I had my heated jacket and grip heaters on in mid-August in Nova Scotia.
A ride in May down to Virginia that I thought would be fine in riding pants, jeans and rain gear had me soooo cold I'll never forget that weekend, as the ride home I'd every layer on that I'd brought with me, and could have used another.
At a minimum I'd wear my textile gear, a long sleeved thermal shirt and a sweater packed up ready to go on. Now I've a heated jacket, so I skip packing the sweater these days.
Labrador on the 18th of July was 10 degrees celsius with snow seams still in the hillsides, ice bergs floating down strait.
New Brunswick in late August of 2009? had me so cold I'd every layer I'd brought with me, and I was still shivering as I made my way across the Confed Bridge. (Late at night)
If you remember only one thing, Pack your visa and layers for the coolest average temps for the area you'll be riding through, otherwise pack your visa and stop when you are too cold/fatigued to continue. (that'll get expensive!) ;)
Yo Cat! I was soooo envious of those pics from that trip!
I've never been west on a bike, but if you're heading East Coast I can help. :P
A couple of two day destinations that you might enjoy:
Lake Placid New York (mountains)
Wellsboro PA (mountains)
Rewnovo PA (mountains)
Longer:
Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia
West Virginia
The common recurring theme is mountains. Google maps set to terrain is your friend, look for rivers, valleys and roads that connect them. :D
Here's a great resource for planning routes, I've got it set to the Pennsylvania area...
http://www.motorcycleroads.us/region...squehanna.html