Monster transport overseas

[ducej]

I need some advice on the following. I am lucky enough to be transferred to a new job overseas, and off course I will take my monster (S2R800) with me. For this I would like to hear your opinion how to prepare. It will be transported by ship to a hot and humid climate, a 4 weeks journey. The bike will be crated by a proffesional moving company, put into a container an it will be put on a rear stand. Still I have following questions.
- What to do with the plastic tank, fill it up to the brim with some stabilizer or empty and drain it and let it dry completely?
- Disconnect fuel lines and let the engine run dry of fuel?
- Oil change, before or after? Oil was changed some 1.500 km ago.
- Front tire pressure raise to 3 bar (2.2 normally)?
- Battery taken out or just disconnect?
- Mirrors will be taken of and the handlebars will be taken of the top triple. Bowden cables we remain connected.
- Any other measures?

And yes, I will take the keys in my hand luggage, especially the red one 

Your advice will be much appreciated.

[Curmudgeon]

You will need a nearly empty tank to ship. Possibly best to wrap the crate thoroughly with construction-grade clear plastic wrap? Ideally a coating of Dinitrol would preserve the metal finish but would be impractical to remove. Maybe visit your dealer and see how Ducati does it while you help uncrate a new bike?

[MotoPsycho]

That's an interesting question. I don't think they drained the gas on my wife's car when she moved from Hawaii though. I've considered sending my bike to Hawaii for vacation one time when we go. Since the Ducati shipping crates usually get thrown away, your dealer will probably just give you one if you ask. If they're good enough to send from Italy to the US, they should be adequate enough to send from here to somewhere else. Just my opinion though.

[ducatiz]

You will need a nearly empty tank to ship. Possibly best to wrap the crate thoroughly with construction-grade clear plastic wrap? Ideally a coating of Dinitrol would preserve the metal finish but would be impractical to remove. Maybe visit your dealer and see how Ducati does it while you help uncrate a new bike?

Instad of dinitrol, use Eezox spray.  it dries and protects very well.  don't get it on the rubber, it will be like having Armor All on there for life.

you have to drain the tank for bikes. 

use a siphon on that model.  Once you've got it mostly empty, then prop it up and get the rest.  you can get all but about a thimble with artful moving of the siphon's tip.

[elgallo73]

When I shipped my car to Guam, the fuel tank had to be less than 1/4 full.  I would check with the shipping company, but as I recall, when I shipped my GSX to Bahrain, the tank had to be nearly empty but it was definitely not "bone dry".  Battery was disconnected but left in the bike.

The shippers are usually very good with this, essentially they "lock" the bike in the crate with wood dunnage and foam.  Check with the company as far as insurance goes as well (VERY IMPORTANT).  Sometimes they will only insure to a certain amount and likely do not see the full value for your bike as you do.  I have heard horror stories of containers being lost or falling off vessels during transport (being in the military, we move around quite a bit...).  I was able to purchase supplemental insurance from a company in Seattle the last time I did this.

I would not bother changing the oil with the limited amount miles you have on what is in there...

Transit times vary,  but what I have seen is a typical 3 month delivery from drop off to pick up.

One more note, we don't know where you are going, but I would definitely check on parts availability in the area where you will be working.  Having spent MANY years overseas in many DIFFERENT locales, forewarned is forearmed.  Only in the US do we consider a motorcycle a "luxury", many locations overseas use this as their primary mode of transport but they may not be familiar with a Ducati.  I would stock up on oil filters and other expendables before departure.  Having a contact in the US who can send you parts will save you much misery later.

I don't know how your company will support your stay, but typical VAT rates can hover around 20% (we used to make trips to Saudi for auto parts to avoid tariffs in Bahrain).

Your bike is going to need some extra TLC in a hot and humid environment where the extensive use of aluminum coupled with steel fasteners will likely lead to potential corrosion issues without additional maintenance.  Have a great trip and enjoy your time abroad!

[Raux]

for military overseas shipping, it was bone dry tank and unhooked battery.