Getting a Full Tank

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by Zapp, May 12, 2019.

?

How do you fill your fuel tank?

  1. I usually use the side stand (kickstand).

    12 vote(s)
    46.2%
  2. I usually use the center stand.

    4 vote(s)
    15.4%
  3. I usually fill the bike while sitting on the saddle.

    10 vote(s)
    38.5%
  1. Zapp

    Zapp New Member

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    I was at the gas station the other day filling up the VFR and parked next to the pump and put the bike on the kickstand. I haven't owned a bike with a centerstand in a long time and wondered if it's easier to top off the tank on the centerstand vs the kickstand. I don't know if all VFR's come with centerstands as stock but curious what other riders do. If you want to detail your generation VFR and whether or not you have a centerstand below please do.
     
  2. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    It’s all academic as you would never let the tank get so low that it would make any difference. In CA we have the vapor recovery nozzles that you you are suppose seal against the tank, which is fine for cars. I pull back the rubber shroud so I can watch the fluid level fill right up to the max. If I pushed the nozzle down in like you are suppose to, it would shut off too soon not fill tank completely.
     
  3. Zapp

    Zapp New Member

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    A few pumps around these parts have the vapor recovery system too. Hate those things for bikes. Still wondering, even if it's all academic to you, how people generally fill their bike. What's preferred. It's just a fun poll.
     
  4. VFR4Lee

    VFR4Lee Member

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    On the sidestand. I make sure the vapor recovery condom does not slip down into the circle where the cap seals.
    That can result in overflow.
     
  5. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    I can’t see trying filling it while sitting on the bike since takes two hands to operate the nozzle and lift the vapor recovery tube. The 8th gens have a plate below the filler opening which indicates how far to fill it, I keep a close eye on the flow till just makes it to the plate.
     
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  6. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

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    5th gen, and I fill on the centerstand most of the time. I have filled up while on the sidestand, and I don't think that it makes much difference in the amount of gas, I would guess 6-10 oz.
     
  7. Mad Doctor

    Mad Doctor New Member

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    I sit on it and put in as much gas as will go in... right up to the brim with just a little space for the tank cover to fit in.
     
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  8. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    6th Gen here. It depends on the purpose of the ride at the time of refueling. On a day to day basis, I just flip out the side stand and fill it that way. I usually fill on my way home from a ride so between the few ounces less fuel in the tank from the pumps, and the small amount I burn riding the mile or so from the fuel bar to the house, I have burned off enough fuel I need not worry about parking it with too full of a tank that I need to worry about expansion.

    Nit when I am on a long ride or a tour, I put the bike up on the centre stand and get as much fuel in there as I can, except the last fill of the day where I leave some space. I want to get as many miles in between fills as I can when touring about.

    We don't have those recovery condoms here. Just an anti splash ring. But I seem to manage fine manipulating those things when fuelling up down in the USA. Biggest problem we have fuelling down there is using a credit card in the machine and dealing with the issue of punching in a 5 digit Zip Code. We don't have those. We have a three letter and three numeral Postal Code here. But there is and answer to that that has never failed me. Disregard the letters and just punch in the three numbers and follow those with two zeroes.
     
  9. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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    5G and always fill on center stand to bottom plate.
    I struggled in the US with any of my credit cards also.
    It would nearly never work no matter what I tried.
    The only time it worked was in Washington state where I couldn't belive my luck so started filling, only for a dude to run up to me and yell at me to stop as I wasn't a trained operator. WTF.
    Here you fill up, then go in and pay, simple.
    Found it a pain to pay before you fill not knowing how much it was going to fit.
     
  10. KarlR

    KarlR New Member

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    5th Gen. I always fill on the side stand, any of my bikes, standing so I can see when it is getting full so I can slow the flow rate to top it off.
     
  11. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Are you sure that wasn't in the City of Richmond BC? I don't know if I have ever come across a non self serve in Washington. Or here for that matter, except for the City of Richmond that has a City By-law that prohibits self serve.

    No one liked tat pay before service here either but we all got used to it in short order. It is law here. Came about as a result of a youth getting dragged to his death at a gas and dash trying to prevent the theft. No one really complained about the law, just comments about getting used to the process. Just order up more than you are going to need. The equipment is set up to only process charges for what is pumped
     
  12. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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  13. bk94si

    bk94si Member

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    It's the law in Oregon also although they amended it recently to allow self pumping at some pumps in rural areas. Yes, here in Washington, they are pretty much all self-serve.
     
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  14. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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    It might have been Oregon. Hard to keep track of so many places.
    We drove up the coast then cut in at Waldport I think, and followed this fantastic river across to an inland Hwy.
    Beautiful country with some fantastic bike roads.
    It would have been a lot easier if my CC worked at the pumps.
    Sorry, didn't mean to hijack this thread.
     
  15. Samuel

    Samuel Member

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    Another vote here for filling to the brim while straddling the bike vertical.
     
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  16. Norse

    Norse New Member

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    I always sit on the bike while filling. It's the easiest way to do it. It's not like you have to get off for any part of the refueling process, so why bother?
     
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  17. JIMLARCH

    JIMLARCH New Member

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    I like to ride long distances. 5 or 600 kilometres a day is not a big ride for me. It’s nice when doing so to stretch the legs when gassing up, especially the older I get.
     
  18. Norse

    Norse New Member

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    Well, around here it's considered poor form to do that at the pump. You fill up and get out of the way. Every gas station has parking spots for just that purpose, where you can stretch as much as you like with zero chance of holding up anyone.
     
  19. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    I put the bike on the side stand, and just fill it up. The tank will take a little more gas if you slow down the fill rate but not enough to matter. If you NEED more gas than what the tank holds, something's wrong. Everyone needs to get off the bike more than once before the tank needs a refill. Just make one of these "get off's'" a refueling time. It doesn't matter which stand the bike is on other than it's just easier to put it on the kickstand. Concentrate on not getting run over by a cage, not worrying about which stand to use would be my advice. Also, getting off the bike in a nice shady area is refreshing for the mind and body, which is much more important.....
     
  20. Zapp

    Zapp New Member

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    Great! Don’t forget to mark the poll for kickstand.
     
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