Gas stations & motorcycles rant!

TorontoBoy said:
Just to let you know how financially the "prepay" occurs. When you swipe your card a charge of $100 automatically goes through your account. After your fill up, this $100 charge is reversed and your actual amount is then charged. Though you do not see the initial charge, if there is some discrepancy or disagreement with the gas station, you need to resolve it then and there. Do not simply ride away, or you will be charged $100.
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The Esso i frequently visit asks if I want to authorize up to 100$ or "other amount".
I always choose the 25$ option because on average I put 17-20$ per fill, this way it won't hurt me as much if the pre-authorized amount is the one that gets charged in the end in case of an error.
 
stevex said:
As far as spilling gas all over yourself or your engine... really? How clumsy are you if you manage that? In fact, even if you're standing beside the bike, spraying gas all over the engine or pipes is a risk (if you're prone to seizures or suffer from Parkinson's).
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I don't think I'm clumsy, but on two separate occasions I've started filling up at what looked like a reputable station, only to feel cold gas leaking down
from a ruptured hose and onto my hand, as well as dribbling onto the ground at the lowest point on the hose.

That's bad enough, but if I was on the bike, it could have been on the tank, seat, crotch - maybe elsewhere.

Washing gas off of your hand is not fun. I can't imagine gascrotch!
 
The danger of ignition from static is due to a difference in charge between the person and the gas tank. When I'm sitting on my bike with my hand on the tank we are at the same charge and therefore there can be no static spark causing ignition. If I'm standing beside my bike and only holding the nozzle there is actually a far higher risk of generating a disimilar charge and potentially creating a spark and then potentially causing ignition.

If you do catch on fire, do you really think you're much better off standing beside your bike then sitting on it? Doesn't take me long to dismount and roll on the ground if I'm on fire. Not sure about others.

The difference is range on my bike between filling it while mounted and filling it on its stand is 200 kms vs 185. I don't like running out of gas and would prefer the extra 15 km range.

It is far more dangerous for the occupants of cars should a fire occur as they are still strapped into their seats. Therefore, I would expect all those that get off their bikes to fuel would also ensure that all occupants of your car get out before you start filling that as well. And remember to think of the children and get them out of their car seats and sit out of range of danger.

Me, I sit on my bike and fuel it with no concern and have been doing so without any troubles for many years.
 
I use a speed pass, I only fill at Esso.

My speed pass is on my key chain, I love it. They're still a little slow to turn on the pumps, I do sit on the bike while I fuel. I find I can get like 5% more fuel in that way.
 
That's an option I was mulling over for when I make it to the street riding. Seems like a decent solution if I intend on filling up at particular gas station of choice. Minimize problems before they occur and learn from it if they do!
JillsSabre said:
I use a speed pass, I only fill at Esso. My speed pass is on my key chain, I love it. They're still a little slow to turn on the pumps, I do sit on the bike while I fuel. I find I can get like 5% more fuel in that way.
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Being a biker has nothing to do with it. Peple are filling and running and not paying. Don't blame the company for insisting on paym,ent first, its the dummies that gas and run that ruin it for the rest
RodneyBR said:
Refusedgas because you're on a motorcycle? It surely seems that way to me,but I could be wrong or have no luck at gas stations. Here's whatI've experienced so far. When I go fill-up at a new (not my regular)gas station, the pump displays, "Please see cashier" orsomething along those lines. Another time the gas station cashierkept refusing to turn the pump on, until I walked inside. I asked himwhat his problem was, and being that he couldn't speak English thatwell, didn't help the situation!

Is this happening to otherbikers, or do they just hate me? LOL

[video=youtube;TxjiXX21WLM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxjiXX21WLM[/video]
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Griffin said:
The danger of ignition from static is due to a difference in charge between the person and the gas tank. When I'm sitting on my bike with my hand on the tank we are at the same charge and therefore there can be no static spark causing ignition. If I'm standing beside my bike and only holding the nozzle there is actually a far higher risk of generating a disimilar charge and potentially creating a spark and then potentially causing ignition.

If you do catch on fire, do you really think you're much better off standing beside your bike then sitting on it? Doesn't take me long to dismount and roll on the ground if I'm on fire. Not sure about others.

The difference is range on my bike between filling it while mounted and filling it on its stand is 200 kms vs 185. I don't like running out of gas and would prefer the extra 15 km range.

It is far more dangerous for the occupants of cars should a fire occur as they are still strapped into their seats. Therefore, I would expect all those that get off their bikes to fuel would also ensure that all occupants of your car get out before you start filling that as well. And remember to think of the children and get them out of their car seats and sit out of range of danger.

Me, I sit on my bike and fuel it with no concern and have been doing so without any troubles for many years.
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Seriously? A fireball erupts in front of you and you're going to remove the nozzle from the tank, put the kickstand down, dismount, and get away from the bike in a time not appreciably different from what it takes a person already standing to pull out the nozzle and take a few steps back? More accurately, what would happen is that you'd a) be more directly hit by any flame, b) panic, c) drop the bike as you attempt to dismount, and d) spill large amounts of rapidly combusting gasoline.

People do remarkably stupid things when scary things happen.
 
Griffin said:
...Me, I sit on my bike and fuel it with no concern and have been doing so without any troubles for many years.
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Here are the Ontario laws that govern refueling your vehicle. Laws in other provinces and states will vary. There is nothing in the law specific to motorcycles. A "fuel dispensing station" = gas station. The law also covers signage, no smoking, equipment, etc, and is very thorough.

Ontario Fire Protection and Prevention Act said:
Fuel dispensing procedures

4.5.8.6.
(4) Every person dispensing flammable liquids and combustible liquids shall
(a) take precautions to prevent overflow or spillage of the liquid being dispensed,

(b) not knowingly overfill the fuel system,
(c) except as otherwise stated in Article 4.5.8.5., in the event of spillage, immediately apply an absorbent material to soak up the spillage in conformance with Article 4.1.6.3.,
(d) not dispense Class I or II liquids in proximity to open sources of ignition,
(e) not use any object or device that is not an integral part of the hose nozzle valve assembly to maintain the flow of fuel, and
(f) not dispense the liquids into containers that are in a vehicle, watercraft or floatplane.
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If your bike comes only with a side stand and you refuel astride your bike to get the max amount of gas into your bike you are overfilling your fuel system, contrary to 4.5.8.6.1(b). The gas attendant has the obligation to cut off your gas and tell you to get off your bike. If the gas attendant does not cut off your gas you may file a grievance to the Ontario Fire Marshall, who will file a charge against the gas station.

I am not clear on what "(a) take precautions to prevent overflow or spillage of the liquid being dispensed," means for refueling astride your bike.

As with many fire laws, charges and enforcement are quite difficult unless it is after a fire.
 
I was refused at a Shell where all the pumps were marked pre-pay. I left there and went to the one down the street.
Another Shell attendant asked me to get off the bike. I did, and they turned on the pump. nbd

Edit: I also don't prepay because my card's been nipped FAR too many times and I always (usually) pay cash or use my credit card inside, to avoid the $100 auth which eats your credit limit for 5 days. When I fill the bike up sometimes 2 or 3 times in a day, that puts a dent on the card.
 
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Got hit with the prepay in the middle of the afternoon in my cage at the Esso at King+Dundurn in Hamilton. Gave the attendant the Scottish salute, drove through Dundurn Plaza to the station at Dundurn+Main, filled up, then went inside to pay in cash (I always pay cash for gas).
 
I can see that you've never had gas in your hoop.
The time that it happens to you. You'll never do it again



Scuba Steve said:
I stay on the bike because it seems safer to me, the bike is far less likley to fall or get knocked over. The chance of spilling gas seems minor I have never had any issue, but I have had a brand new bike fall over at a gas station.
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Griffin said:
The danger of ignition from static is due to a difference in charge between the person and the gas tank. When I'm sitting on my bike with my hand on the tank we are at the same charge and therefore there can be no static spark causing ignition. If I'm standing beside my bike and only holding the nozzle there is actually a far higher risk of generating a disimilar charge and potentially creating a spark and then potentially causing ignition.

If you do catch on fire, do you really think you're much better off standing beside your bike then sitting on it? Doesn't take me long to dismount and roll on the ground if I'm on fire. Not sure about others.

The difference is range on my bike between filling it while mounted and filling it on its stand is 200 kms vs 185. I don't like running out of gas and would prefer the extra 15 km range.

It is far more dangerous for the occupants of cars should a fire occur as they are still strapped into their seats. Therefore, I would expect all those that get off their bikes to fuel would also ensure that all occupants of your car get out before you start filling that as well. And remember to think of the children and get them out of their car seats and sit out of range of danger.

Me, I sit on my bike and fuel it with no concern and have been doing so without any troubles for many years.
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the risk isn't just fire, there are also risks of other drivers colliding with you. you can't tell me dismounting is as fast as stepping away
 
I can live with prepay.
I can live with getting off the bike to fill it.

I cannot stand the pumps that have no flow control, and are either full-blast or off.
These are the stations I boycott.
 
JillsSabre said:
I use a speed pass, I only fill at Esso.

My speed pass is on my key chain, I love it. They're still a little slow to turn on the pumps, I do sit on the bike while I fuel. I find I can get like 5% more fuel in that way.
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+1 on this. I love Speedpass, have it on my keychain and it's super convenient, as long as I can find an Esso station that is. :-) Otherwise it's prepay. I sit on my bike with the kickstand down and never had an issue at all.
 
I used to be hesitant of prepaying with my debit because of experience with my credit card and the automatic $100 but found out with you debit you can set the amount and if you don't reach that amount the amount billed will be the acutal amount pumped. I usually just set for $20 and leave it at that.
I always sit on the bike keeping it upright and pre-pay at the pump. so far no issues from attendants.

there was one time I pumped the gas first and went inside to pay and the attendant tried to get me to take my helmet off first.
since I had already pumped the gas already, I refused to take it off and the manager came out and took the payment.

I do understand why they wanted me to take the helmet off for security reasons but since I had already pumped the gas I didnt see the point at that moment. If I was going to rob them or something, it was already too late:D
 
I've never filled the bike up while sitting on it, and always pay at the pump. Never had a problem. Rarely use the same gas station as well. Trying to find a good one :).

Same gas stations only have off or full blast when puming, I hate those :X, gas gets everywhere lol. Need a little control.
 
Englishj said:
If you use the three numbers from your zip code with two zeros on the end it works.
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I am on my way to the Grand Canyon. I'm currently in Illinois and I can vouch for this method working (with my Amex card.). ..Tom
 
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