Nooooooo - Dropped it at a gas station

[ScottRNelson]

I am so embarrassed!  I had to run a couple of errands today, so I took my relatively new to me XR650L to get a little bit more used to riding it.  The last thing I needed to do was to top off the tank so that it would be ready for the next ride.  So I pulled into my favorite Valero gas station and pulled up to the pump closest to the door, with the pump on the right side.

I kind of know that it's better to fill up from the left side, but I figured the only reason for that was because you have a straighter shot into the gas tank opening.  Now I know another reason why you should always fill from the left side unless the bike is on a center stand.  If for some reason it starts to fall, you'll be right there to support it.

The angle into the tank was kind of awkward, partly because the bike is a bit tall and partly because it was leaning away from me.  So as I was trying to get a good hose angle, apparently I applied a little bit of forward pressure to the bike which made it roll forward collapsing the sidestand.  It's really hard to stop a motorcycle from falling away from you, especially if you're holding onto a gas pump handle with one hand.  I think initially I couldn't believe that it was falling, then I couldn't believe that my lame attempts to pull it back upright were having no effect.  So once it was gently laid down on its left side, gas started coming out of the top of the tank.  I quickly rushed around to the other side to lift it back up and rediscovered that shoes don't get very good traction when standing on fresh gasoline.  Once I got my footing squared away, it was easy enough to lift the bike back up and put it back properly on its sidestand.  Damage: only my to my pride.  I need to bend the shifter a little bit but I already needed to do that from when my son bent it a couple of weeks ago.

It was good to note that the pump attendant was quick to shut the pump off - at 16 cents.  The mechanics in the adjoining garage were also quick to come out and help me, although I didn't actually need any help to get it back upright.  They had some rags to clean up the spill, and there was no evidence of my clumsy act two minutes after it occurred.

Lessons learned: put gas in from the left side of the bike.  It probably might also be a good idea to stick the bike in first gear if it's one like mine that can easily be pushed forward while on the sidestand.  I need to learn a new habit apparently.  Even experienced riders make mistakes sometimes.  I'm just glad I didn't do this on one of my Ducatis.

[somegirl]

Sorry to hear that Scott, glad no major damage was done though.

I have issues with hose angle because I am short, so what I do is hook the hose over my shoulder so that I can easily point it straight down into the tank. 

[sfarchie]

Thanks for sharing your story. I've never really thought about which side to stand while fueling up. Although I almost dropped my bike once by rolling it without lifting the stand. I figured I only had to move it 5' so why bother. The stand caught the ground a little and when I put the bike down, it started tipping over. Luckily, I was on the left side and caught it. Dumb, dumb, dumb!

Also good to hear so many people tried to help. A good sign humanity still exist. 

[mostrobelle]

I have a hard time filling up anywhere but from the left due to the height issue also.  Guess I should sort of be glad for that after hearing your story.  That's gotta suck.  Good to hear that one of the Duc's wasn't a victim.   

[johnc]

ciao scott -

good to read that you and the bike suffered only minor damage (shift lever and pride, respectively).

i suggest you leave the shift lever a little bent ... tell folks who ask about it that you were in the baja 1000 and the front end washed out in a left hander at about 95 or 100 miles per hour.

a presto,
johnc

[MendoDave]

What John C says. Go with it.

[r_ciao]

I straddle the saddle and get the bike vertical when filling with gas.  I'm lucky and tall enough to do so.  Any reason why I shouldn't?

[Popeye the Sailor]

I straddle the saddle and get the bike vertical when filling with gas.  I'm lucky and tall enough to do so.  Any reason why I shouldn't?

Ever have a car not see you? 

[johnc]

I straddle the saddle and get the bike vertical when filling with gas.  I'm lucky and tall enough to do so.  Any reason why I shouldn't?

er, overfill the tank and get gas on your pee pee. 

don't laugh ... if you have never had this happen, you can't imagine the pain this causes.  unfortunately, i have felt the burning sensation of gas overflow while racing in an enduro event way back when, where re-fueling the bike while your sitting on it, is pretty much mandatory.  oh, and after the gas spills and you think, cheese and rice, NOTHING could hurt more than that ... you start to feel the pain increase with each jump you hit

[TCK!]

OMG GAS ON THE CROTCH IS NO FUN!!!!!!!!!!!1111ONE2222111!

I overfilled at Alices then we took off, next thing I know my crotch feels like it is on fire... I wish it was so I could have just bailed off the bike like a action movie hero.

[r_ciao]

Ever have a car not see you? 

Nope, but makes me rethink it.  Thanks for putting that scary thought in my head.

er, overfill the tank and get gas on your pee pee. 

Nope, but that hurts just thinking about it.

[Drunken Monkey]

Prolonged skin contact with gas causes the skin to almost melt...

Bad. bad. bad. bad. bad. bad. BAD.

[johnc]

Prolonged skin contact with gas causes the skin to almost melt...

Bad. bad. bad. bad. bad. bad. BAD.

ah ... that explains why my (to borrow description from spidey's earlier post) "Meatrocket McSuperschlong" is now only 9" x 3" 

[Popeye the Sailor]

ah ... that explains why my (to borrow description from spidey's earlier post) "Meatrocket McSuperschlong" is now only 9cm x 3cm 

FIFY.

[johnc]

FIFY.

even if your fixed data were true (which it ain't) i am concerned that others here will think that you know this from personal contact with me ... which also ain't true  ... homey don't play dat