While Filling the Gas Tank

bkh2 · October 23rd, 2011, 01:45 PM

I recall reading somewhere on this forum that said that you should not put your helmet over the gas tank because the fumes can eat the foam inside the helmet.

So when I go to the gas station, I normally leave my helmet on, leaning over the bike a bit while looking inside the gas tank while I fill it to watch the level. Would this be bad, since I can see and smell the fumes as they come out, right into my face?

I'm just curious if other people notice this or if you take off your helmet when you fill the tank.

alex.s · October 23rd, 2011, 01:47 PM

everything damages your helmet. it's why you don't wear a helmet for 20 years. just get a new helmet every few years

bkh2 · October 23rd, 2011, 01:50 PM

But are the fumes excessively bad? Since the tank needs to be filled pretty regularly, will the constant exposure to fumes reduce the life dramatically, say like less than a year of use?

KawiKid860 · October 23rd, 2011, 01:58 PM

Personally I found out you shouldn't stand over the gas tank whilst filling it the hard way, face full of fumes FTL. That being said I don't think you have anything to worry about as long as you're not like directing the fumes straight into your helmet, and in that case I'd be more worried about what the fumes are doing to you not your helmet. I also found out you shouldn't leave your helmet on your tank because I did it once and my helmet smelled like gas afterwards... Didn't realize it harmed the foam in it though, my helmets like 5 years old anyways I should probably get a new one....*rambles on*

Fly'in Ninja · October 23rd, 2011, 02:24 PM

I fill up with my helmet on while keeping nozzle at arms length. You can also keep your helmet visor down/shut. If there's a breeze, you can put your back to it. Then the breeze will blow the fumes away from you.

Boom King · October 23rd, 2011, 10:30 PM

You probably expose your helmet to more fumes driving in traffic. These helmets are tough. During ECE or SNELL certification, they first subject the helmets to solvent, temperature, humidity/moisture, and UV conditioning before doing the impact tests.

bkh2 · October 23rd, 2011, 10:55 PM

Thanks for all the comments. I like the smell of petrol so fumes in the phace isn't too bad, though my lungs will probably hate me later in life :P

I guess putting the visor down is the best option, but regardless, I feel better about leaving my helmet on while filling the gas tank now.

setasai · October 23rd, 2011, 11:44 PM

I dont take my helmet off at all when filling, only gloves just so I can access the stupid buttons. How else are you supposed to do it? Behind your back under one leg standing on the seat and the pump?

FrugalNinja250 · October 24th, 2011, 04:58 AM

I would pay to see that...

gfloyd2002 · October 24th, 2011, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkh2

I like the smell of petrol . . .

I commend a fellow petrol head.

Numbersix · October 25th, 2011, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkh2

I like the smell of petrol...

... it smells like victory?

Or maybe, given your location in your profile, it's an improvement? Cthulhu-breath in the morning can be pretty bad, almost as bad as a Hound of Tindalos with gas.

headshrink · October 25th, 2011, 10:33 AM

My biggest concern is gas splashing up into my eye. My next concern is keeping it off my pretty paint.

bkh2 · October 25th, 2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numbersix

... it smells like victory?

Or maybe, given your location in your profile, it's an improvement? Cthulhu-breath in the morning can be pretty bad, almost as bad as a Hound of Tindalos with gas.

You just made my day.

str8t six · October 25th, 2011, 01:52 PM

i just keep my helmet on and look down at the tank.

October 23rd, 2011, 01:45 PM	#1
bkh2 ninjette.org guru Name: Ben Location: R'lyeh Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 GSXR 750; 1983 CB750SC Posts: 277	While Filling the Gas Tank I recall reading somewhere on this forum that said that you should not put your helmet over the gas tank because the fumes can eat the foam inside the helmet. So when I go to the gas station, I normally leave my helmet on, leaning over the bike a bit while looking inside the gas tank while I fill it to watch the level. Would this be bad, since I can see and smell the fumes as they come out, right into my face? I'm just curious if other people notice this or if you take off your helmet when you fill the tank.

October 23rd, 2011, 01:47 PM	#2
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	everything damages your helmet. it's why you don't wear a helmet for 20 years. just get a new helmet every few years __________________________________________________

October 25th, 2011, 10:33 AM	#12
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	My biggest concern is gas splashing up into my eye. My next concern is keeping it off my pretty paint. __________________________________________________ Honda Interceptor VFR800 DLX (2014, 8th gen) Honda CBR500r (2014) - FOR SALE Kawi Ninja 250r (2008) - Restored and passed-down within family, only to be abandoned

October 25th, 2011, 01:52 PM	#14
str8t six never enough Name: josh Location: michigan Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): Blue 2010 ninja 250R Posts: 277	i just keep my helmet on and look down at the tank. __________________________________________________ custom graphics, zero gravity DB

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October 23rd, 2011, 01:50 PM	#3
bkh2 ninjette.org guru Name: Ben Location: R'lyeh Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 GSXR 750; 1983 CB750SC Posts: 277	But are the fumes excessively bad? Since the tank needs to be filled pretty regularly, will the constant exposure to fumes reduce the life dramatically, say like less than a year of use?

October 23rd, 2011, 01:58 PM	#4
KawiKid860 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Murphey Location: Eastern Washington Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Honda 919, 2004 Ninja 500R NAKED Posts: A lot.	Personally I found out you shouldn't stand over the gas tank whilst filling it the hard way, face full of fumes FTL. That being said I don't think you have anything to worry about as long as you're not like directing the fumes straight into your helmet, and in that case I'd be more worried about what the fumes are doing to you not your helmet. I also found out you shouldn't leave your helmet on your tank because I did it once and my helmet smelled like gas afterwards... Didn't realize it harmed the foam in it though, my helmets like 5 years old anyways I should probably get a new one....rambles on

October 23rd, 2011, 02:24 PM	#5
Fly'in Ninja ninjette.org guru Name: Al Location: Bay Area Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): C-250R-ST Posts: 287	I fill up with my helmet on while keeping nozzle at arms length. You can also keep your helmet visor down/shut. If there's a breeze, you can put your back to it. Then the breeze will blow the fumes away from you.

October 23rd, 2011, 10:30 PM	#6
Boom King So, where's the reverse? Name: Anson Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	You probably expose your helmet to more fumes driving in traffic. These helmets are tough. During ECE or SNELL certification, they first subject the helmets to solvent, temperature, humidity/moisture, and UV conditioning before doing the impact tests.

October 23rd, 2011, 10:55 PM	#7
bkh2 ninjette.org guru Name: Ben Location: R'lyeh Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 GSXR 750; 1983 CB750SC Posts: 277	Thanks for all the comments. I like the smell of petrol so fumes in the phace isn't too bad, though my lungs will probably hate me later in life :P I guess putting the visor down is the best option, but regardless, I feel better about leaving my helmet on while filling the gas tank now.

October 23rd, 2011, 11:44 PM	#8
setasai ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Brian Location: Detroit, MI Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.	I dont take my helmet off at all when filling, only gloves just so I can access the stupid buttons. How else are you supposed to do it? Behind your back under one leg standing on the seat and the pump?

October 24th, 2011, 04:58 AM	#9
FrugalNinja250 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Frugal Location: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): Several Posts: A lot.	I would pay to see that...