Gas stations & motorcycles rant!
- Thread starter RodneyBR
- Start date
TheDirty
Well-known member
Hey Thanks. Going down again in a few weeks and I'll try it out. One of the pumps actually said to go see the attendant if your postal code had letters in it. I'll be picking up my new credit card this week.
I typically pay at the pump, but I did get a bit of crap on 2 occasions in almost 5 seasons of riding...
1) Back in 07, my group was asked to leave the station while I was in the can (no reason, they were a VERY tame group and they weren't lingering), and I had no idea where they left. Had to ask another patron where they turned and 172 it to catch up to them (fortunately this was in the pre-172 days)
2) In 09, I stopped at a station to gas up, gassed up, paid up and parked the bike so I can have a smoke break. In goes this fat sow with a minivan full of her brood, starts bitching me out for smoking at a gas station. I was at least 10-15m away from the pumps and the regs say 10 FEET, so I was WELL beyond the safe distance. I ignored her, so she brings the manager who tells me to put out my smoke. I told him that I was WELL beyond 10' (told him to read the sticker on the pump too) and that he should know the safety regs before bitching about'em to paying customers. I am sure he would not have told me that had I just gassed up a big pickup truck or a cube van.
Of course, I've never gassed up at either of the 2 stations ever again even though one was VERY convenient so gassing up elsewhere was taking me SERIOUSLY out of my way.
1) Back in 07, my group was asked to leave the station while I was in the can (no reason, they were a VERY tame group and they weren't lingering), and I had no idea where they left. Had to ask another patron where they turned and 172 it to catch up to them (fortunately this was in the pre-172 days)
2) In 09, I stopped at a station to gas up, gassed up, paid up and parked the bike so I can have a smoke break. In goes this fat sow with a minivan full of her brood, starts bitching me out for smoking at a gas station. I was at least 10-15m away from the pumps and the regs say 10 FEET, so I was WELL beyond the safe distance. I ignored her, so she brings the manager who tells me to put out my smoke. I told him that I was WELL beyond 10' (told him to read the sticker on the pump too) and that he should know the safety regs before bitching about'em to paying customers. I am sure he would not have told me that had I just gassed up a big pickup truck or a cube van.
Of course, I've never gassed up at either of the 2 stations ever again even though one was VERY convenient so gassing up elsewhere was taking me SERIOUSLY out of my way.
N
Nyx13
Guest
I always stay on my bike to fill up and 99% of the time, I pay at the pump. I've only had one attendant ask me to get off my bike...and I flatly said "No." He let me fill up 
some bikes don't get a full tank if you don't put them on the kick stand... personally i usually get off the bike... imagine you spill gas... where's it going to go? your crotch... who want's gasoline crotch?
In British Columbia it's all pre-pay. Quite annoying when you're trying to guess how much gas your 10 litre gas tank bike needs going through mountains and such with gas stations just 200 kilometers apart lol.
Which Brampton gas station was that?
Same thing in Tennessee and Alabama. I exclusively use my credit card and pay at the pump, when I'm down there these days.
Last edited:
stormcat
Well-known member
If it's just a matter of getting off the bike to fill up, why not just get off the bike? I've never understood this sitting on the bike business under the pretense of 'truly' filling it up anyway. The difference between it being on the sidestand or upright in gas volume is nominal.
stormcat
Well-known member
2L?! So your bike lays on its side on the stand?
That's a heck of a difference. For my bike, it would be all of 1/30th of a litre difference.
I have a 20L tank hun...
Not every one has the same size tank so the difference would be different from bike to bike. When I first started out this season I was putting it on the side stand and a month in I started stay on the bike.
Next time your at the gas station fill up the way you do while it's on the stand then look at how much you've put in. Then put the bike upright and keep on filling and see what the difference is...
Next time I go I'll do the same and see what it is.
Not every one has the same size tank so the difference would be different from bike to bike. When I first started out this season I was putting it on the side stand and a month in I started stay on the bike.
Next time your at the gas station fill up the way you do while it's on the stand then look at how much you've put in. Then put the bike upright and keep on filling and see what the difference is...
Next time I go I'll do the same and see what it is.
2L?! So your bike lays on its side on the stand?
Last edited:
A lot of places want you to either pay at the pump or prepay now because of drive offs. Generally I never had a problem with this except when I had a diesel. That was a problem because I hate prepaying and most places don't have pay at the pump for diesels. Generally if I ******* at them enough, they'd turn the pump on. I have yet to have a problem getting fuel for my bike though.
If you aren't paying at the pump, it means you will have to get off the bike anyways to walk inside...
I completely understand why they prefer that you fill up while you are off the bike; it's a safety issue in that very small chance that something catches fire. It's actually for YOUR safety.
But on the other hand, I also agree that I can squeeze in more gas when the bike is upright with me on it.
I'm a mix and match. After a long ride I may want to stretch my legs and also get a drink in the store, so I will put the bike on its kick stand and then fill up (technically safer and makes the gas station attendant a little more at ease) and if I'm just scooting around town I will pre-pay at the pump and fill it while still sitting on it. I still throw the kick stand out though, JUST IN CASE.
I completely understand why they prefer that you fill up while you are off the bike; it's a safety issue in that very small chance that something catches fire. It's actually for YOUR safety.
But on the other hand, I also agree that I can squeeze in more gas when the bike is upright with me on it.
I'm a mix and match. After a long ride I may want to stretch my legs and also get a drink in the store, so I will put the bike on its kick stand and then fill up (technically safer and makes the gas station attendant a little more at ease) and if I'm just scooting around town I will pre-pay at the pump and fill it while still sitting on it. I still throw the kick stand out though, JUST IN CASE.
stevex
Well-known member
I always pre-pay at the pump and never get off the bike... more of a convenience thing for me really. I've only ever been refused gas once because I was sitting on the bike, so I just rode off to a different gas station. I realize that it is now more inconvenient to ride away in search of a new more accomodating re-fill but it was principle at that point
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).
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).
TorontoBoy
Well-known member
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.
Identity theft is common with credit cards. These cards are also used to steal gas through the prepay.
Gas is a hazardous material, both flammable and toxic, we all know this. Why risk getting gasoline crotch for almost no appreciable benefit. Trading off risk with reward, the benefit of gassing up while sitting on your bike is not worth the risk. If you spill gas you are not a idiot or have Alzheimer's. Accidents happen. Some gas pumps are not all that smooth and spillover can happen to the best of us. Save one of your 9 lives and get off your bike to refuel.
Identity theft is common with credit cards. These cards are also used to steal gas through the prepay.
Gas is a hazardous material, both flammable and toxic, we all know this. Why risk getting gasoline crotch for almost no appreciable benefit. Trading off risk with reward, the benefit of gassing up while sitting on your bike is not worth the risk. If you spill gas you are not a idiot or have Alzheimer's. Accidents happen. Some gas pumps are not all that smooth and spillover can happen to the best of us. Save one of your 9 lives and get off your bike to refuel.
RedDogDarren
Well-known member
Your bike isn't high, you have short legs. Be honest with yourself. What emergency would cause you to need to fly off your bike?
On another note I have been told once that I needed to get off my bike to fill, The idiot which I'll call "Papinder", said that it was Shell policy. As I explained that the policy was to ensure that the "Motor" was off and not the "Rider" it was clear that this moron wasn't able to grasp english all that well. So I left with a parting phrase that I'm sure he was able to understand.
RedDogDarren
Well-known member
Wear a helmet when you go for a walk too. Fear everything. You ride a motorcycle and you're afraid of gasoline pouring into your crotch?
I'm not slamming you as it's your choice to reduce risk as you see fit, but focusing on this seems a little like grasping at the safety straw for me.
gtm
Well-known member
I mean really, is it that hard to do what someone asks of you? Is getting off the bike, or having to walk inside really more of an inconvenience than actually leaving the station to find another?
This whole "**** you, I dont have to listen to you, Ill do what I want" attitude is ruining society..
This whole "**** you, I dont have to listen to you, Ill do what I want" attitude is ruining society..
I have filled up my tank on my 2006 V-Strom 560 times. I have had a few cases where I have spilled gas, sometimes from clumsiness on my part, sometimes from pumps that sprayed too fast. I haven't had any gas ignite, and honestly don't worry a lot about it. But it's one of those things that I can't see any real advantage to doing while on the bike and see some potential downsides. If I am going to take a risk (which happens a lot) I'd like to get something out of it.
As always, I don't really care what others do but don't see the point.
..Tom
