Gassing up

**The Lone Rider** · 19th April 2007, 19:51

Theres a proper way to fill a bike tank?

Or is that just for sports bikes?

I just put the kick stand down (I guess NZers call it the side stand), get off the bike, pop the cap, fill up and go pay. I dont even take off my helmet and my bike IS on a lean while I fill.

The only problem I have ever had was from bitch who decided to push me and my bike of the way while I was in the middle of filling up. She pulled up behind me, got out and said "I need to use that pump" then gets back in and starts driving into the pump while I'm still there.. and about 1-5 cm from hitting my bike I grab it and start moving it.

But that story has nothing to do with my tank filling technique. I'd be interested in know if there is actually a proper way.

**Hitcher** · 19th April 2007, 20:01

Go them Beagle Boys!

**peasea** · 19th April 2007, 21:25

Originally Posted by sunhuntin

thank you peasea :yes, the person in the uniform is simply the messenger, not the decider of the rules.

No worries, my apologies for the unwarranted generalization.

Quite right, the general pubic is pritty iggorant. We need rules to protect people from themselves. (Not me, of course, coz I'm thpeshul.)

It sounds like you'd probably be one of those forecourt attendants worth chatting to.

**peasea** · 19th April 2007, 21:30

Originally Posted by sunhuntin

heyjoe... same with vintage car owners... prefer to do it themselves. i usually go over, say "you right there?" and usually get "yeh, ill do it thanks" which is kool.

Having owned some 'classics" etc I have encountered this attitude and it's much app. You're in a minority group though; offering service in a 'service staion'. Thank you.

**Skyryder** · 19th April 2007, 21:55

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Well, I get really annoyed when I see bikers remain sitting on their bikes while filling them. For safety reasons. If there was a flash and resulting fire, then it's easy to see what would happen in the following moments: panicked biker drops the fuel gun and leaps off the bike (possibly on fire themselves), forgetting to lower the side stand, bike falls over, fuel spills everywhere...

And for what reason, other than to get an extra 200ml of fuel into the tank? You've got to get off the bike to go and pay for the gas anyway, so why not dismount before you fill up?

Forecourt fires are more common than most people think.

All that this man said with one add on. If some other dickhead fucks up you can run away faster. Try seeing how long it takes to get off your bike in an emergency.

Skyryder

**gijoe1313** · 19th April 2007, 22:07

I usually have no prob, just get off the bike - do your thing, head on in and pays your coin! I have a flip face so lift it up, pull the balaclava down so they can see my face and no hay problema.

My local servo staff recognise me so they just flick the gas on whenever I pull up now - even in the wee hours of the morning!

Building relationships and having patience works wonders.

Oh yeah, using the magic words "Please" "Thank you" "Excuse me" with a friendly smile is a winning way to start! (Dizzam, speaking like Dale Carnegie now!

)

**Lucy** · 19th April 2007, 23:33

On my bike I like to go to Mobil, eftpos at pump means not having to take off helmet, go inside, etc. I've tried to do it whilst staying on bike, but am still unco, so usually get off. I can hold it upright anyway, while standing beside it, as it's a GN so is not too heavy.

**Lucy** · 19th April 2007, 23:46

Originally Posted by peasea

There are many things on the NI worth running from (I have an extensive list) however, like Scummy, I haven't been hassled for doing whatever I want on a forecourt and that's nationwide. I pay before I leave so nobody has a beef and I often fill up with my lid on.

Let's face it, Petroleum Distillate Transfer Technicians (read 'pump jockeys') aren't the shiniest buttons on the cardigan are they? They like to have their wee moment just to feel special; I'd keep going back, and back, and back, using the same method each time. Fill your bike any way you want, it's your bike and you're paying for the gas.....

How would you like a BK burger-flipper telling you how to ingest your culinary delight?

Feck you are a snob.

**Disco Dan** · 19th April 2007, 23:53

Originally Posted by Lucy

On my bike I like to go to Mobil, eftpos at pump means not having to take off helmet, go inside, etc. I've tried to do it whilst staying on bike, but am still unco, so usually get off. I can hold it upright anyway, while standing beside it, as it's a GN so is not too heavy.

Yes, eftpos at the pump is a big plus for me provided I dont need anything else. Shame it seems a 50/50 chance whether the flipping card reader is working... then when it is it doesnt read your card! After all that kurfufle I have to take off my helmet and go inside to pay... becomes more of a hassle. I keep going to the same petrol station each time, and other than a bit of water in the petrol causing some problems once I have not had any problems walking inside with my helmet on.

**heyjoe** · 19th April 2007, 23:56

Originally Posted by sunhuntin

heyjoe... it is very rarely that a biking customer will allow me to fill their bike... but i can safely say, the only time ive spilled petrol on the tank, it was my own bike.

same with vintage car owners... prefer to do it themselves. i usually go over, say "you right there?" and usually get "yeh, ill do it thanks" which is kool.

and as for customer service... we never actually get any training when we start. ive got the basics, having been brought up to be respectful, but some staff i work with leave a lot to be desired.

Thanks for the comments Sunhuntin.

I think its great when they check and they are happy with me when I say "Thanks but I'll do" I no longer let anyone fill my tank now anyway. Sometimes a super fast attendant will have the pump in hand but I still try to ask to do it myself.

I agree with what you say about upbringing influence can affect how you interact with other people. I think some employers in places like service stations or shops just hire people and assume they have all the people skills. I find it worse amongst younger employees who are in their first job. Even if an employer cannot train in the formal sense, they can supervise closely so they mould and steer the new person onto the right track and not let them develop bad habits which can have the wrong influence on customer relationships. Sounds like you have a good approach to dealing with customers.

I speak as someone who has been on both sides of the counter.

**Shadows** · 20th April 2007, 01:09

Originally Posted by Ixion

What I want is a refueling system like a jet bomber - where a tanker comes along side at speed and sends over a hose, so you can refuel without stopping.

But where the hell would you put your filler cap?

**Ixion** · 20th April 2007, 10:08

No problem, my filler cap is hinged.

**idb** · 20th April 2007, 12:23

Originally Posted by Ixion

No problem, my filler cap is hinged.

Unlike your good self.........

**Bass** · 20th April 2007, 12:30

I hate pre-pay service stations with a vengeance although I completely understand why it's done. With both the bike and the cage, I only ever fill them right up and have only the vaguest idea of how much that will cost. So with pre-pay I wind up standing in a queue twice, for a single tank of gas.
I live in South Auck and so most are pre-pay.
On top of that, the Trumpy seems to appreciate the highest octane rating I can give her - she certainly detests 91, detonates readily. So I generally wind up going to Mobil - higher octane premium and eftpos at the pump.