Gas station bike policy

[Slim]

Then there's the whole leaving without paying thing, which is probably why they turned off the pump. I've been in a group of bikes where one of the young fellas left without paying so I know where they're coming from (the service station contacted one of the other guys in the group, we worked out who it was, beat his money out of him (well, gave him a really stern telling off, actually), paid back the service station with a letter of apology including the remedy applied so it wouldn't happen again).

I've got a centre stand, so it's not a problem for me, but I noticed that Craig removes his helmet & then starts filling while he's sitting on the Duke & hasn't had a problem. The other remedy would be to give the attendant the key while you fill, to allay their fear of you doing a runner.

[Yarg]

have many others been asked to remove their helmets before entering the "shop" in order to pay for the petrol. Mainly at BP stations.Is this a common occurance or just happen to me??

[RiderInBlack]

I feel that it is common courtesy to remove my helmet before going in to any shop. Shop owner need to be able to identify you. If you are wearing a helmet, they have every right to (and would be stupid not to) assume that you are about to rob them. It happens way too many times to be funny, try walking into a bank with your helmet on if you don’t believe me). Don't be a lazy ass and show the Shops and Gas Stations some courtesy by removing your helmet.

Always dismount my bikes while refuelling them. If you really need to rock them to fill properly, you can do this standing beside it as well as over it (so I can see your problem there, but can see their's).

If you what to have burns (which are the worst to treat, ask a Burns Nurse) by all means use any electrical devise while around a gas station (petrol vapour can travel a fare distants before dissipating), even better have a fu*ken smoke

[FzerozeroT]

I don't mind getting off the bike to fill, have to walk in topay anyway, but taking off gloves, helmet, balaclava, earplugs,just to put themon 30 seconds later really pisses me off, Yay Pak'n'Slave eftpos at pump.

[rodgerd]

have many others been asked to remove their helmets before entering the "shop" in order to pay for the petrol. Mainly at BP stations.Is this a common occurance or just happen to me??

I always used to, but I haven't bothered for the last couple of months, and I've never encountered anyone looking nervous/upset/etc. I must just have an honest walk.

What's odd is the difference in attitude I encounter depending on my clothes: if I'm wearing my round town riding gear (armoured jacket, gloves, boots, and regular jeans), I tend to get friendly treatment. If I'm wearing my open road gear - same, but with armoured trousers - I tend to get a lot more stand-offish and even hostile behaviour in shops.

[Deano]

I would rather pay at the pump if it came to removing the gloves, helmet etc every time.

I take the helmet off before going into a bank, but consider paying for your gas to be in the attendants interests, so instead of making it an inconvenience to us, and considering how often we have to fill up, they should provide an alternative if they don't want helmets worn in the shop. Its called good customer service.

[mangell6]

have many others been asked to remove their helmets before entering the "shop" in order to pay for the petrol. Mainly at BP stations.Is this a common occurance or just happen to me??

This has only ever happened once when I was the only one in a group of six riders that didn't take their helmet off. When I got to the counter (with a queue behine me) I was asked to remove my helmet, so I carefully took my helmet off putting all my gloves, balaclava (winter time) helmet on the small counter and paid my petrol bill.

I figured that the person must have felt threatened and needed to go on a self image course and stop watching the news.

Other comments - Was asked to get off the bike to fill the tank (BP) as fuel could spill from the nozzle onto the hot motor, I then jump off and petrol spills out of my tank and catches fire. It was OK as the person said it was company policy, OSH blah blah blah.

Static electricity has been known to casue petrol fires, mainly from individuals getting out of or into cars.

And as for OSH - one day they will work out what they should be doing and that is not protecting people but educating people and holding dumbarses who do stupid things accountable for their actions, you know the lead a horse to water proverb - but thats off topic.

Mike

[Skyryder]

Riding bikes is about risk limitation. Why add another couple of risks?

Got it in one Jim2. There's enough dangers out there without our own adding to them.

You gota get off the bike and go pay so why not before the filling. Do youself a favour and maybe save your arse not to mention the bike. For those of you who think that this is just to save the attendent or the Gas station I'll ask one question. Can any of your tell me where the fire extingisher is kept at your 'local' gas station. I'll bet very few can if any. If you do not know where it is guess how long it would take for attendent to put 'you' out. That's if he can find it without having to ask someone.


Skyryder

[RiderInBlack]

Thanks Skyryder, that was kind of what I was trying to get across. Would have added to your rep., but apparently it is to good already.

[Big Dog]

I would rather pay at the pump if it came to removing the gloves, helmet etc every time.

I take the helmet off before going into a bank, but consider paying for your gas to be in the attendants interests, so instead of making it an inconvenience to us, and considering how often we have to fill up, they should provide an alternative if they don't want helmets worn in the shop. Its called good customer service.

Well I can tell you from experience that a good way to dirty a clean pair of undies is to work at a gas station (particularly when it is dark) and a non regular walks in wearing a helmet. If I want to leave my helmet on for any reason I go to a station I am known at and go to the nightpay window. I can also tell you from experience the police respond fairly rapidly to "a biker with his helmet on is walking around the shop" at 2am. Dog squad and all. :eyepoke:

[Lou Girardin]

Has anyone had personal experience of a bike catching fire while filling, or cars for that matter? I've been connected to the motor trade for years and have never heard of it.
To spill gas on the engine, you'd have to pour it over the outside of the tank. Any fuel slopping over the filler hole drains away to the ground through the drain tubes.
What really annoys me though, is that my safety is my concern, not theirs. Are they going to refuse to sell gas to boy-racers next because they might do something illegal?
If the bike did go up, the result for the gas station would be the same whether I was on it or not.

[Big Dog]

the result for the gas station would be the same whether I was on it or not.

Yes but their liability would be higher due to the fact they had not taken all practical steps to protect you from yourself. As such they would be liable for your hospital care. As there is no way of determining your ability with a pump before you make a mistake they are obliged to be proactive.

Would you let someone test drive your bike without determining that they had a license?

[Big Dog]

Has anyone had personal experience of a bike catching fire while filling, or cars for that matter? I've been connected to the motor trade for years and have never heard of it.

Yes. And it would have been a whole lot more complicated to put it out if the rider had been astride, especially if he / she had been wearing synthetics.

flames came belching out of the cap of a freinds Yamaha (?) cruiser (warning here it was, in my opinion because they left their ignition in the on position and just used the kill switch. Because it happened when the fan came on.)
My first reactiuon was to pull the bowser out. Luckily for said freind In my panic I forgot to release the handle. The petrol smothered the flames. End of story.

Would my reaction have been the same with someone I knew astride? Would a nylon shirt have gone Puff?

Could said friend have riden home safely having been soaked in petrol? :confused2

[Yamahamaman]

Long Gone

We have Supermarkets/Cafe's with petrol dispensing equipment.

Many a time I have waited in line (sometimes long) while Mrs Jones from up the road buys her bread, milk and newspaper or Mr Smith on his way to work buys his Port Royal Tobacco, slim filters and box of matches or Pie, fries and coffee. That was all they were there for.

[dangerous]

I put the question to a mate of mine today that used to work for BP, and he said that he remembers a time were they were showen a film of what goes wrong at Servo's and there were a couple of bikes on fire situations 2 were the rider was sitting on the bike........ makes sence aye regardless of how rear it would be for this to happen nothing to do with doing a runner.

As for me I prefure both hands on the pump and not have to worrie about ballencing the bike at the same time and slipping on spilled diesel the side stand is cool by me.