Fueling Your Bike

[creekstone]

It's not uncommon for me to remain seated on my bike while I refuel. I realize my lap is in the "line of fire" (literally) if there's a mishap. But I can't resist the ease.

Does anyone else fuel up this way?

 

[marcusorelius]

I jump om it and level it when I want an absolute full tank

 

[SkooterG]

This is like asking mi ******* step-pappy beemerdons whether he likes to ********** with his left hand or his right hand.

In the end, which comes rather quicly for him if he can even get it up, it just doesn't matter.

 

[escapefjrtist]

No interest in getting a lap full of gasoline if something should happen...Always off!

--G

 

[Zorlac]

Always on, but I guess flamed balls could change that.

 

[Patriot]

90% on...fuel up and ride away from pump so the next guy can fuel up

ride to the storefront and park, then get off for needed input of fluids, then output some too...

in summer, shade is mandatory, so if no crowd or business is slow, I might leave the bike at the pump in the shade

funny...I always like and attempt to pull up with the pump to my right cause I'm right handed and the kickstand is away

 

[creekstone]

This is like asking mi ******* step-pappy beemerdons whether he likes to ********** with his left hand or his right hand.

Everyone has a preference. But some 'strange' every now and then is good too.

 

[creekstone]

funny...I always like and attempt to pull up with the pump to my right cause I'm right handed and the kickstand is away

Like I said... everyone has a preference.

 

[Steve Scheer]

My buddy who rides a Kawa ZXR 1100 almost never dismounts. I find that I have too much hassel getting my wallet out (I am a front-pocket guy) and getting the keys into the gas cap and swiping my credit card, etc. all require my arms to be much longer than they seem to be. Not much difference on the narrower Bandit 1200 or the wider FJR 1300.

 

[madmike2]

I always dismount.

1.) I'm not in that much of a hurry.

2.) I want to escape should there ever be a problem.

3.) I've seen strange happenings regarding cage drivers in close environments.

4.) I AM going to be able to jump out of the way and have a clear shot at the ***** once the chaos dies down..... :angry:

5.) Though I don't normally ride long distances or long seat times, I will take advantage of each opportunity to stretch my legs and rest my posterior.

 

[TheZsdad]

My wallet is in the trunk.

I can't reach it without getting off the bike.

Need to stretch my legs anyway.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Yup...Always off and always on the center-stand. Helmet on or off is optional though.

 

[Brodie]

I always dismount on the left side, holding the hand brake on after looking down at the kick stand to verify full deployment. The bike immediately goes up on center stand for fueling. The pumps are on the bike's right side as I am right handed. The fuel pump nozzle just works better in my right hand while pulling the snorkel up with my left hand to allow the pump to flow. When finished the fuel/event log book is in my Givi trunk. I take the time to note mileage, odometer, gallons, dollars, date/day, location, oil & coolant level. I have every fuel stop recorded in this manner.

In other words, I take my time at the fuel stops.

Interesting to note, Fuel stops is the only time the bike is in neutral and on center stand. All other times - as a rule - I park it in gear on the side stand. And I always roll the bike forward against the gearbox before setting it on the fully deployed & verified side stand. Knock on wood, I never had a problem with the bike falling off.

One more thing, don't stand too close when I mount or dismount the bike. With a 38 in inseam, I swing my boot over the top of my Givi trunk.

Brodie

 

[El Toro Joe]

Always on, doesn't matter which side the pump is on...unless I have my 21 liter tank bag...then I have to get off the bike.

 

[worldbound4now]

90% of the time I fuel while on the bike and, if needed, do the courtesy "get the hell out of the way of the pump" ride to allow other customers access while I top off and drain my own fluids. I keep my wallet in my left thigh pocket when riding, easy to get to when seated or standing.

 

[JimNtexas]

On my Ninja 250 I stay on the bike for refueling about 90% of the time.

On the FJR I usually dismount unless I'm in a hurry.

I think the fact that I dropped my FJR the first time I tried to fuel it (3 miles on the odo) has something to do with that.

It turns out that the FJR is a bit more sensitive to being on a sloping surface, and if it starts to go, its a bit harder than the Ninja 250 to hold upright.

Net/net - I'll only remain on the bike if the refueling surface is smooth and level, and I'm in a hurry.

 

[Fred W]

I try to always pull up to the right side of a pump (pump to my left). If it's going to be a splash and go I'll pull in close enough to the pump to operate the pump while seated. I will put the side stand down with the bike still in gear (actually use the side stand to kill the engine) so the bike won't fall when reaching for the nozzle or operating the pump. In that case I'll fill it while holding the bike vertical.

If I need to stretch my legs, then I'll still pull up to the right side of the pump, but I'll intentionally park far away from the pump to leave plenty of room to my left to dismount and move around between the bike and pump. Bike goes on the side stand, so the tank is tilted towards me and the pump, and I fill until the fuel starts backing up into the filler neck.

One time, out of curiosity, after doing this I then put the bike up onto the center stand and tried to get more fuel into it, but couldn't get more than a few ounces in. Definitely not worth the hassle of using the center-stand, IMO.

I always reset my #1 trip meter at fills. I also use (and reset) the gas tank monitor on my Zumo which I have set for 240 miles for the pop-up reminder.

Since the bike is still in gear, I can start the bike by flipping up the side-stand and pulling in the clutch. Makes for a quick getaway, and it's one less neutral to first gear kerchunk for the gear dogs to have to endure. I'll typically start a stone cold bike in neutral for less load on the starter motor, but when the engine is warm it is not much extra load to start it in gear.

[edit] I've never heard of anyone self-immolating by fueling while sitting on the bike. Could it happen? Sure, I guess. Could get hit by a meteor too.

 

[wheatonFJR]

A lot of interesting and unexpected answers to this very basic question.

 

[bikerskier]

I always dismount.

1.) I'm not in that much of a hurry.

2.) I want to escape should there ever be a problem.

3.) I've seen strange happenings regarding cage drivers in close environments.

4.) I AM going to be able to jump out of the way and have a clear shot at the ***** once the chaos dies down..... :angry:

5.) Though I don't normally ride long distances or long seat times, I will take advantage of each opportunity to stretch my legs and rest my posterior.

What he said. More control of events.