Center Stand Used to fill Gas or Not?

[emshaferii]

I was curious how many folks take the time to use the center stand for gas fills and how many don't.....

[Doobage]

Usually I sit on the bike while I'm filling it up. Once upon a time there was a previous thread that got rather heated about this method. The risk being that an overflow could potentially get gasoline on the rider.

The main reason I do this isn't necessarily to get more gas in the tank, but simply because I only plan to be at the gas station for the time it takes to swipe the card and fill the tank. I very rarely go inside.

My trip to WeSTOC might prove to be a little different, but I suspect I'd fill up and then drive my bike over to the store to do my water/food stuff.

[tkresler]

I always put the bike on the side stand. Sometimes I sit on it, sometimes not. I used to fill up holding the bike straight up. This was until I realized that if something happened... i.e. the gas overflowed, a bee decided to bug me, a car started to aim for me at the pump, I'd have a really good chance of dropping my bike to get out of the way. Now, I generally stand next to it and fill her up.

Tim

[sherob]

Off the bike, on sidestand... fill to crossbar. :)

[Kempo-STer]

OFF the bike, center stand.

Besides why would you want to have the chance of an overflow, with gas leaking down onto a hot engine...:eek:

You're asking for it by sitting on the bike and filling up...Sooner or later..

[tccox]

100%, ALL the time on the centerstand. Believe its the safest way ..

[Tor]

I fuel while I sit on the bike.

[tdeboeser]

One more for sitting and fueling.

Tom de

[IndyST]

+1 on 100% off bike and on centerstand. Only incident was in Cherokee and the nozel didn't release and had to pull it from the tank and it ran for a couple seconds before stoping. Glad I wasn't on the bike!

[Kempo-STer]

You guys that fuel sitting on the bike...why? save time?

You guys all wear full gear in case you get into an accident right??
So why would you tempt fate by sitting on it just to save a minute..

It seems a bit contradictory..I am not judging, just to trying to make sense of it.

[Bones]

Bike on the centerstand, me off the bike. Makes sense since I have to get off the bike to put it on the centerstand.

[Gonzo]

I ALWAYS use the centerstand, because I want to be as consistent as possible in exactly how much is put in. I'm a MPG freak, and I track it all in my computer.
Gonzo

[Tor]

You guys that fuel sitting on the bike...why? save time?

You guys all wear full gear in case you get into an accident right??
So why would you tempt fate by sitting on it just to save a minute..

It seems a bit contradictory..I am not judging, just to trying to make sense of it.

Justification :D : All the gear on: Helmet/glasses/shades/jacket/pants/boots...specially when its hot,,,,I want to get moving again as soon as possible.

On a regular trip stop, now thats different......I get off the bike, do all the things you normally do on a tripstop,,,but I still fill the tank sitting on the bike though.

[Vbird]

Sidestand only-Off the bike.I have to set the mag tankbag on the seat to get to the tank anyway and gas in the crotch isn't fun.:eek:

[Gug]

Centerstand and off the bike 100% of the time. I want an escape route just in case something goes wrong. I am big into plan "B's". It also gives me the opportunity to stretch.

[dduelin]

I use the kickstand 95% of the time.

[tdeboeser]

You guys that fuel sitting on the bike...why? save time?

You guys all wear full gear in case you get into an accident right??
So why would you tempt fate by sitting on it just to save a minute..

It seems a bit contradictory..I am not judging, just to trying to make sense of it.

:confused:, theres an overflow hose that goes to the bottom of the bike ( not near nothing hot - but it is an ST :rolleyes:). Plus its pretty hard to overfill. No fussing around, I don't have to get off the bike, and makes for good rally practice :).
And I get a good full tank.

I've done this on 3 bikes now... no fires.

Tom de

[Raven]

Another on the bike filler here if I'm doing a gas and go (don't even take off gloves or helmet).

If I'm actually stopping and going inside, then I fill up on the bike and move to a parking spot in the shade so some cager doesn't get restless waiting for the pump.

[KenBobPDX]

Interesting thread. I've always been one to get off the bike and use the center stand while filling. It's interesting to read what others are doing and why.

[AZST]

100% of the time off the bike. Whether I put the bike on c-stand or not depends on what kind of ride I'm on.

I have seen video of how quickly fuel can ignite at a pump with a car :eek: ...having the ability to run away from igniting fuel is a big advantage in my book.

--Bryan
04ST1300A
:04biker:

[billxp]

Another on the bike filler here if I'm doing a gas and go (don't even take off gloves or helmet).

If I'm actually stopping and going inside, then I fill up on the bike and move to a parking spot in the shade so some cager doesn't get restless waiting for the pump.

Ditto

[sherob]

...having the ability to run away from igniting fuel is a big advantage in my book.

--Bryan
04ST1300A
:04biker:

RUN AWAY!!!!

http://mtglair.de/img/python/Run_Away.jpg

[AZST]

Rob...no offense....but at WESTOC, I'll be keeping my distance from you. :rolleyes:

--Bryan
04ST1300A
:04biker:

[EagleSix]

I want an escape route just in case something goes wrong. I am big into plan "B's". It also gives me the opportunity to stretch.


100% of the time off the bike. Whether I put the bike on c-stand or not depends on what kind of ride I'm on.

I have seen video of how quickly fuel can ignite at a pump with a car :eek: ...having the ability to run away from igniting fuel is a big advantage in my book.

--Bryan
04ST1300A
:04biker:

I don’t like the pump area, it’s a trap. Off the bike every time, no centerstand. It’s takes extra time to get it up and off the centerstand, for me, and I’m not that critical about getting a maximum or exact fill-up, although for those that do I understand. I trade the few seconds of dismounting for the flexibility it offers me to escape on foot and abandon the bike if things go bad. I’m not concerned about what I do, complete fill up, over filling, slipping on grease or oil, I have direct control over those situations. I’m concerned about the other person, whether they be an idiot, making a mistake, or out to cause others harm. On my feet I have a better defense against others and those weird mishaps, like fire at the pumps! And the wise words from “Gug”, be prepared to apply plan “B”, and ready to throw together plan ‘C’ when ‘A’ and ‘B’ go sour!! I like, side stand, off the bike, get it filled and move away from the pump area as quickly as possible and reasonable.

.

[Medicine Bear]

Centerstand and off the bike 100% of the time. I want an escape route just in case something goes wrong. I am big into plan "B's". It also gives me the opportunity to stretch.
+1! Ever since I saw JackinTexas do a standing broad jump away from the lady that drove away from the pump next to his with the nozzle still in the tank. Gas went everywhere. So did Jack...

Fred :03biker:

[86Magna]

+1 for filling 100% of the time on the bike. 20 years of fueling a bike and I have never had a problem. I know, I know always a first for everything but I've never have put much thought into worrying about it. Never even entered my mind to get off the bike to fuel. But thanks all for putting it in my head now I will have to think about it when I fuel up next.:o4:

[U-Turn]

Off the bike, centerstand most of the time.

:04biker:

[jholder]

Egads....I'm starting to fear going to the gas station. It sounds like we're going into combat or something... ;)

Ride safe,

[Don-STOC237]

i always get off the bike and fill from the side with the bike on sidestand. Putting it up on centerstand MAYBE allows you to get an ounce or two more into the bike, not enough to worry about. Not worth the effort, to me.

For consistent fills to track mileage, just fill to the exact same spot everytime. No need for a centerstand for that.

As far as you guys that sit on the bike and fill, well, I've seen a couple guys soak their crotches with gasoline doing that when the nozzle didn't release correctly, so you can keep that method. I made one of them leave his one-piece Aerostich outside the motel rooms for the rest of the trip. :eek:

[MadMan2945]

Most times I put it on the center stand and fill from the side while off the bike to stretch. I also check my oil with the bike on the center stand.
R,
MadMan:03biker:

[Flymhi]

It's sitting for me. I never lock the trigger on the filler hose as it doesn't take long at all to fill the tank. I'm peering down the tank to make sure I don't overfill, so if there's a runaway tire, car, or truck...it's gonna get me...:hurt1:

Sorry guys for me, in the time it takes getting off the bike & rocking it on it's C-stand, I can have a full tank. Besides, If you don't put out the K-stand first, your chances are prob higher of getting off balance and laying it down while stepping off. :cool:

[Finewest]

Sitting on bike fillup.

[Doobage]

I suppose the main reasons I fuel up on the bike is:

1. It's fast (+1 for getting moving cause of Texas heat)
2. It's harder for me to slip if I stay on the bike.
3. Depending on the gas station, I don't want to be there one second more than I have to be (usually this applies to anywhere within 6-10 loop or Galveston --- panhandlers)

As a precaution, I do a number of things as a Plan B. First, I put down my side kick stand and nearly always fill up with the pump on the right. (I'm right handed, and if I need to jump off the bike, it can fall onto it's kick stand). Second, I test the pump the moment I begin fueling. Some pumps are either On/Off. The ones that don't allow for slow flow, I don't fill up to the top. And lastly, I ensure that I'm not resting the majority of the weight of the hose/nozzle on anything. That can lead to a destabilization.

While I'm sure there is "some" risk involved, I honestly can't remember hearing of any cases where a person has become a human torch with the bike. About the only known risk is static electrical charge, or someone silly enough to smoke at the gas station. (cell phone risk has been found to be untrue) But robbery at gas stations are MUCH more prevalent and risky in regards to my well being in Houston.

It certainly is good to see that so many people have rationale for what they do.

[ParkerBill]

100% of the time I get off the bike and stand to the side to fill it. Side stand probably 95% of the time. Heck, with such a big tank and range, I'm usually ready for a stop break anyway.... :D

[SUPERSPORTTOURER]

SITTING ON YOUR BIKE MAY = "GREAT BALLS OF FIRE"

THE ACCUNULATED MOMENTS SAVED MAY NOT EQUAL TIME IN THE BURN UNIT IF YOU GET A FIRE...
NOW LET'S MOVE ON TO ANOTHER THREAD...
LIKE IN FIRST GEAR OR NEUTRAL AT STOP LIGHTS...
RIDE SAFE FAR AND OFTEN, MARSHALL

[Kempo-STer]

Egads....I'm starting to fear going to the gas station. It sounds like we're going into combat or something... ;)

Ride safe,


Same as on the ROAD....We don't take chances there by wearing as much armor as we can (combat comment also applies to riding by wearing the gear we do)...why be choosy about good habits????

[Dorian]

I always put the bike on the centerstand when parked, refueling or otherwise. I used to sit on my bikes when refueling until '82. One day I was refueling and the nozzle slipped. I ended up with gas soaking the crotch of my jeans. By the time I got home a couple of hours later I was as raw as could be. I walked extremely bow-legged for a week. Finally went to the doctor and was prescribed a cortisone cream to get me through it. I've never refueled while sitting on a bike since. My sex life is better for it.

[Nevada]

ALWAYS off the bike, almost always on the centerstand if I'm FILLING up, unless I'm not wearing proper riding boots, in which case I may not put it up due to the stress that the c-stand puts on my foot when I put the bike up.

I started using the centerstand for fueling shortly after I got the bike, when I left for my RideAboot. Take a look at my "avatar." With that much gear, its much easier to stand up on the left peg and step over the bike, rather than trying to swing a leg over while on the ground.

Also, I generally prefer my business transactions to be with people, rather than machines, so I'm not big on "swipe and go".

[jholder]

Same as on the ROAD....We don't take chances there by wearing as much armor as we can (combat comment also applies to riding by wearing the gear we do)...why be choosy about good habits????

I don't mean to be too flippant, and I respect everyones choice to "be safe". Fill up the way that suits you. I fill on the bike as I'm too lazy to get off basically and that's the way I've always done it. I see no real danger in doing so. COULD a fuel spill ignite and make me a human torch? Maybe... But I have never actually heard of it happening so it's a long shot risk I'm willing to take.

Now gear is a different issue. Pretty much every rider will go down if they ride long enough, not true for the human torch thing. I'm sure every rider knows someone who has crashed but how many know someone who caught fire from filling up their bike while sitting on it? Sure there may be a case or two somewhere but the chances are low enough not to concern me personally. If you are concerned then by all means do what suits you.

That said, I also don't lock the nozzle and watch the level of fuel carefully as it rises to ensure no overfill. So far never spilled more than a couple of drops.

Ride safe all,

[wb5tty]

:04biker: Something to think about! I have been a lazy slacker and stayed on the bike to fill up. I do put the side stand down so I don't slip down in the usual goo around the gas pump. Thanks for giving me something to make my ST1300 experience safer......

[Bigfish]

Centerstand and off the bike 100% of the time. I want an escape route just in case something goes wrong. I am big into plan "B's". It also gives me the opportunity to stretch.


I'm with Gug. I once drove off from a station just as a car went up in flames at the pump. I don't want to be sitting on the fire ball, I would rather watch it.
Bigfish

[John R White]

i do if i am going to ride after filling if i am going to park i dont because all of the heat from motor will expand gas and run out

[Biker George]

100% ON Centerstand and OFF the bike.

...just makes sense to me; I never considered otherwise.

-Geo :06biker:

[NBA336]

Well, I used to always fill up while sitting on the bike. However, after reading all the various comments, why would I take the risk, even if it is a low risk. I think I"ll be getting off the bike when refueling and having a good stretch too. Thanks board members, yet again.

[STOnkin'aussie]

i dress appropriately before riding - not because i plan to crash - but because i want to give myself the best possible chance of minimising injury - get off the bike for the same reason guys.

[newbornst1300]

Always off the bike with it on the sidestand leaning towards the pump for ease of filling. How much gain on centerstand anyway?? This bike has lots of range anyway so why worry about it.

[tccox]

I stay on the bike while I fill up. Side stand and center stand up.

It took some practice before I could talk on the cell phone, keep an eye on the filler nozzle, stretch my muscles, program the GPS, and smoke a cigarette simultaneously while straddling the bike, but now I can do all that, no sweat.

You never know what some fool is going to do at the pump, so I like to keep my options open.

Dont forget to leave the engine running also. Cuts a few seconds off fuel stops.

[b.carez]

Off the bike and on the side stand.

[MeiSTer]

So, does it make any difference if you're riding two up?

I'm in the off-the-bike/sidestand camp in either case.

[trickSTer]

Guilty of on the bike sometimes......or always on center stand when off the bike.

[mshihrer]

side stand, OFF the bike. I do that to make sure there is no way I can overfill the tank and saturate the charcoal canister.

[fitnessguy4]

I always get off the bike and fill from the side with the bike on sidestand. Putting it up on centerstand MAYBE allows you to get an ounce or two more into the bike, not enough to worry about. Not worth the effort, to me.

For consistent fills to track mileage, just fill to the exact same spot everytime. No need for a centerstand for that.

+1

Anthony STreppel
:biker:

[Kempo-STer]

But I have never actually heard of it happening so it's a long shot risk I'm willing to take.

Now gear is a different issue.
That said, I also don't lock the nozzle and watch the level of fuel carefully as it rises to ensure no overfill. So far never spilled more than a couple of drops.

Ride safe all,

Disagree here...safety and not taking chances can be applied across the board where and when they can be.

If it means taking an extra minute or two and decrease a chance of that happenning, then its worth it.

Its the same as someone saying...I watch the intersection 'carefully' when I go through it...

[Jim C-G]

Old habits are hard to kick - I have always dismounted and 99% of time fueled with the bike on the centerstand - the SL350, BMW R75/5. the CB750 and now the ST1300. I usually will fill up soon after the fuel indicater starts telling me I've got x # of kilometers to go - around 400 km/250mile range. I now usually swipe the card, but still like a short stretch and possible a drink of water before I keep going.

[isbarense]

I never put it on the center stand and feel it's completely safe. I run more of a chance of dumping the bike getting it on/off the center stand.

When filling I sit in the bike leveling it out to get the most amount of gas in the tank. I travel 95mi/day on my bike and can go for three days between fillups if the tank is full, otherwise I fill every other day.

[Don-STOC237]

I've never witnessed it, but I've heard of guys filling while on the bike slipping on spilled diesel fuel, bike goes down, gas spills all over the place including hot engine.

Myself, I have fallen down on diesel fuel at a gas station in the rain and have come close to dumping the bike in the same condition when stopping at the pump.

So, I guess I'll just continue to put the sidestand down, get off the bike, and fuel it from the side.

As far as the centerstand is concerned, it's hard enough to get it up on there with a full load of luggage to make it a waste of effort for me.

[dteel]

Off the bike, bike on centerstand. Never even considered any other way. Why? I don't know, never thought about it, I just do it that way.

[hondacuraworld]

I just finally found an easy way to get my bike UP on the center stand. Left foot on the stand, lift up and back on the side bar, and she slides right up.

One of the guys here rides Harleys, and tried explaining that I should be bouncing down on the front, and rocking it back. He tried it, didn't work :D

I still fill up on the side. Just seems easier to ease in on the right side of the pump and fill with the neck looking at me so that I don't spill on the paint :)

[DougieNZ]

I'm now a centre stand off bike person. Previously I was a sit on bike with no stand. Over here in NZ BP decided that they would have a blitz on bikers doling what I did, and I got in to a hell of an argument with a forecourt attendant about it.

Then I thought about it a bit. They actually had a point. If the fuel ignited for any reason, the first thing you would do is jump off the bike. then 20+ litres of burning fuel would end up on the forecourt... not good! So I have changed my mind. I remember objecting strongly to the lecture at the time though...

[timmybob4]

You guys that fuel sitting on the bike...why? save time?

You guys all wear full gear in case you get into an accident right??
So why would you tempt fate by sitting on it just to save a minute..

It seems a bit contradictory..I am not judging, just to trying to make sense of it.

I also have a ruptured, and now removed, disk in my lower back. The one above it is bulging, possibly ruptured. Lifting more than a case of soda can be painful. I don't want to risk blowing out my back every time I fill-up, so I don't use the centerstand. (It must be an art getting the bike on the center stand, because without a "cheater" block of wood under the rear wheel I have to exert an excessive amount of force.)

I don't want to mess with the board at a gas station so I fill up while sitting on the bike.

But that's just me. The good news is I can ride all day without adversing affecting my back. :D

[Gurgar]

Never used the center stand to fill up.

I always say to each his own. Very rarely do I get off the bike, unless I go inside the filling station. So I fill upon the bike most of the time. It is like anything else, If you pay the proper attention to what you are doing. Then there are no problems.

[ST1300 Alicia]

I also have a ruptured, and now removed, disk in my lower back. The one above it is bulging, possibly ruptured. Lifting more than a case of soda can be painful. I don't want to risk blowing out my back every time I fill-up, so I don't use the centerstand. (It must be an art getting the bike on the center stand, because without a "cheater" block of wood under the rear wheel I have to exert an excessive amount of force.)

I don't want to mess with the board at a gas station so I fill up while sitting on the bike.

But that's just me. The good news is I can ride all day without adversing affecting my back. :D

I'm not sure how to explain how I put my bike on the center-stand but let me give it a try. You might find this to be helpful. I straighten the bike up off of the kickstand. Place my right foot on the center-stand footpad. I pull the lift handle out and place my right knee under it and my hand. I do not lift on the handle. I pivot my foot by straightening out my foot making my right leg longer, pushing down with my foot and up on the lift handle with my knee. My ankle actually pushes my knee up on the handle lifting the bike onto the center-stand without pulling with either arm. Maybe I just have a funny length leg but this works great for me and I don't have to strain anything. I hope this makes sense as it would be easier to show than to tell. I hope this helps.