Uh, not necessarily. Strictly speaking (meaning, if the cargo acceptance agent interprets the DG regulations very literally), you can't have a 'mixed shipment' that contains both DGs and non DGs in the same 'packaging' (the 'packaging', in this context, being the motorcycle itself). This is why the airlines typically say that you can ship associated equipment with the motorcycle (tools, etc.), but not personal effects.

In reality, most cargo acceptance agents will cut the shipper a bit of slack when it comes to what they put in the panniers. But, to be on the safe side, and to avoid disappointment when dropping off the motorcycle, it's best to only load the panniers with personal effects that could reasonably be interpreted as being 'associated equipment' for the motorcycle, for example, riding suits, helmets, rainsuits, boots, stuff like that.

I'm going to guess - based on personal experience - that the majority of cargo acceptance agents will be pretty tolerant of stuff shipped in the panniers - but give both yourself and the cargo acceptance agent every possible reason to deem the contents of the panniers to be 'associated equipment'. And, finally, be aware that if the cargo acceptance agent does refuse to allow personal effects to be shipped in the panniers, they are within their rights to do so - because a very strict, literal interpretation of the DGRs does not permit personal effects to be shipped with the 'DG' (the motorcycle).

Michael

Good hints, thanks.

Battery is confusing, I was told explicitly it needs to be disconnected. Guess I will see when I get there, just a couple of boltes on the F800GS so not too worried...

Rather than relying on hearsay, or someone else's incorrect and uneducated opinion - or, worse still, passing on hearsay or someone else's incorrect and uneducated opinion - go to the Dangerous Goods Regulations book and see what the actual rules are.

The packing instruction applicable to vehicles (packing instruction 900) states that if the vehicle has a spillable liquid battery, it has to be securely fastened and protected in a way that prevents damage and short circuits. If the battery is properly installed in the motorcycle (in other words, it is installed the same way the manufacturer put it there in the first place), then it is securely fastened and protected against damage and short circuits.

Michael

This morning I dropped off my motorcycle at the Air Canada Cargo facility in Montreal. My BMW is being shipped over to Dublin Ireland.

It was a pretty simple and painless ordeal

I received my dangerous goods form for the bike

Presented that to Air Canada personnel.

I drove my bike into their warehouse facility

The bike was weighed

I was instructed to ensure that the fuel tank was less that 1/4 full, which it was.

I was not questioned about my the state of my battery. The DG rep I was dealing with who has been in the business for decades said that so long as the battery is secured in its tray, everything is fine. No need to disconnect anything.

Once the bike was weighed, someone came by and performed a security inspection on the motorcycle, checking items in the panniers and top case. They took some swaps of my gear in the panniers and had a sniffer device, looks like they were checking for explosives. They asked if I had anything flammable on the bike or had any sort of pressurized containers, which I did not. Aside from that, they didn't seem to care what other items I choose to pack in my panniers. I left my motorcycle helmet attached to the side of the bike. The keys had to be left in the ignition.

They did express concern about a MSR fuel bottle that I had attached to the outside of one of my panniers. I told them that the bottle was new and had not yet been used. They recommended that the bottle be stored in one of the side cases, out of sight, fuel bottles tend to freak out the safety people.

The DG rep warned me that once I used the MSR fuel bottle I would not be about to ship the bike back with it. He said if you have any items, i.e. fuel bottle, camp stove that even has scent of gasoline on it, they will block the shipment.

Hopefully my bike will arrive on the other side of the pond in one piece.