I didn't see the fire but I did see the aftermath from it and it was not pretty.

Gota ask everyone: When you pull up to the pump do you prefer having the pump on the left side of teh bike or the right side? Or do you just go for what is available?

 

I usually pull straight into the pump, perpendicular to it. That way, it doesn't matter.

 

I like your thinking....

 

I always have the pump on the right side since that is where the cap is and I dont want the hose touching my bike. Also , use the paper towels and put them around the nozzel before and after use to prevent getting fuel on your tank.

 

+1 I hate it when the gas decides to burp and splash on the paint.... [:@] makes me angry, especially after washing it

 

Dude, ya don't ram it in like my old beat up pickup... What I do is hold the nozzle at an angle aimed toward that metal thing inside and try my best to hit the hole without splashing all over the place. Take it slow and fill it up. Don't take your eyes off it for a second. After it's full give it a second, it's not. Give it a couple more squirts. Then I use windshield washer fluid to wipe off the tank if I spill...

 

chili, when you hold the bike up and look down into the tank, does it appear full? If so, you probably have the same problem I had when mine was new. Mine never showed full even when I knew it was and the empty light came on after I had only used just over a half of a tank. The good part about it was that it was consistent so I always knew how far I could go even after the light came on. Still, everytime I filled up, I never got more than 3 gallons into the 5.1 gallon tank. I bought and installed jackyl's (a member here) 2" tank lift on my bike. Somehow, some way, it "fixed" my gauge problems. It now show's full when it's full and the empty light comes on with just over a gallon left in it. I didn't buy the lift to fix the gauge problem - it was just a side benefit. For a lot of people, installing the lift causes gauge issues instead of correcting them. That's just the way it worked out for me.

Bottom line, though, a lot of people don't use the gauge, they use the odometer. After a few tanks of gas, you should be able to figure out how far you can go before you need more gas. After that, set your trip meter to 0 each time you fill up and use it to determine when it's time to fill up again.

As far as spilling gas on the tank, I usually grab one of those paper towels they put out for washing your windows and use it to cover the nozzle until I can get it into the tank. That catches the usual dribble of gas that comes out when you point the nozzle down. I fill up with gas and then cover the nozzle again when I remove it until I've cleared the bike. Some gas usually gets on my hand from the towel and then I smell like gas but it's better than pouring gas all over my paint.

 

I always shake the nozzle prior to putting it over my tank. Kinda like one would do when he is done taking a ****. It will save you from spilling on the tank. I have found most gas places I stop don't have paper towels. You would think at almost $4.00 you could get a paper towel. CHILI_11 you may want to watch filling it all the way to the top. Especially in hot weather. I have had it leak over a little once I start riding. Have fun with the new bike.

 

Never try to top-off your bike...remember that the bike is already on a slight angle as your filling it up. Ialways cup my hand right under the nozzle as I'm bringing it over to the filler hole as to not spill any gas on the tank & vice-versa when I'm done pumping. I usually stick the nozzle in the tank about an inch or so. You'll usually be able to see when the gas is reaching the top of the tank even at night as gas stations are pretty well lit-up, but don't ever try to top-it off like a car. The last thing you want is gas spilling out of the tank as your out riding with an extremelyhot engine!

 

ahhh calif pumps and their foreskin aren't made for moto's... and ya do want to shake it off after tooo....