Charon wrote on 05/11/10 at 17:29:02:Personally, I think it is unwise to sit on the bike while refuelling. You are sitting on a machine with a hot engine and exhaust. It is easy to overfill the tank, or spill a little fuel when removing the nozzle. Spilled fuel can easily run down the tank to your crotch, where at the very least it will be uncomfortable. Anyone who uses a Zippo lighter and has had the fuel run out onto their leg can relate. At worst there is the slight possibility of fire. There is a fair chance you will need to get off the bike to go use the restroom, anyway. And all hazards aside, I usually find it feels good to get off the bike and stretch.
I agree, Charon. I always have my bike on the stand when I fuel up. Two weekends ago I witnessed a Yamaha Roadstar Silverado 1700 bursting into flames just 10' from the gas pumps where it had just been gassed up. Yamahas apparently have carb float issues and that's why the owners manual says to shut off the fuel valve whenever the bike is not running. (We don't have that problem OR an off valve with our Thumpers!)
This Yamaha had been shut off and was sitting for at least 10 minutes before being gassed up and rolled away from the pumps. I wasn't back on it until it was away from the pumps so the next guy could gas up. (I was on a 175 mile run with about 100 other bikes - it was a beautiful day!) It was probably another 10 or 15 minutes before I got back on it and the rider attempted to start it. (I would have been on my own bike if it wasn't still in the shop with the gas cap mess....)
Let me just say that it was pretty scary - I hopped off the back of that bike pretty darn fast when someone yelled FIRE right next to me!! Luckily there was a volunteer fireman standing outside the Stewart's store who ran in, got a fire extinguisher and put the bike out. The only damage was to the air filter box, a bit of wiring (not destroyed) and a bit of melting over the carb. That claim is going in to Yamaha as we speak.
BTW, after the firetruck hosed the chemicals off the bike (3 trucks and 2 police cars responded!!!), it started right up and we continued the last leg of the ride! The funniest thing about it was the identical Yamaha next to us at the pumps. He was afraid to start his bike. When we all got moving again, he was right in front of us ... and kept looking down to make sure he wasn't on fire. We laughed ourselves silly the last 20 miles of the ride. LOL!!
Anyway ... it would seem I have an affinity for gas tanks and fire .... lucky me!!
~Michelle