Well, this is not ideal

[ST1100Y]

No help removing the busted key (I'd try 2 knife points) but I must point out, it works both ways to ease the drag of the latching mechanism.

Always push it down.

Yup...
ze GF's NT700VA uses the same gas-cap and I'm preaching this ad nauseam...

 

[ddemair]

When my gas cap started getting sticky, I used WD40 dry lube. Fixed it right up and I assume it won't attract the dirts.

 

[ST Gui]

When properly serviced, pushing on the cap lets the mechanism (and inserted key) self rotate to the locked position via the internal spring so the key can be removed.

Yeah I get that. It's part and parcel of shutting the cap. It happens automagically. But that wasn't to point of my post. The point was in context of what PUSH LOCK meant. I also mentioned the suggestion of pushing the cap while UNLOCKING it was a good idea. But that's not what's conveyed by PUSH LOCK nor as I mentioned is that practice in the owner's manual. It's one of those things that experience shows it can actually be a viable practice.

Now if I missed the point of your post then apologies.

 

[Sadlsor]

To me it reads PUSH to LOCK. To support your chosen practice wouldn't it read PUSH UNLOCK? It's not noted in my owner's manual.

I typically press down ("push" down, if you prefer) when locking AND unlocking , just to save wear and tear on the rubbing parts.
Call it OCD, or whatever, but at least in my mind, I feel like I'm making these and similar components' lives easier, and extending their longevity...
While I admit it may simply be my imagination, but it makes me feel better.
And that's got to be worth something.
But yeah, nothing in the owners manual speaks to this, and nothing about feeling better about yourself, either.