Helmet dilema

[Popell]

Very funny, my kind of answer for this

I had situation at the services near Bluewater when they wouldn't start the pump, apparently they were asking me through the intercom but I couldn't hear.
An attendent came out and required me to remove helmet, I told him it was a stupid requirement but did so to revea my silk balaclava.
I then requested strongly that they allow me to fill up as I had complied with their request. They did

Beyond learning about the shape of my head, the helmet removal aided little the better identification - tossers (not in a good way)

 

[DerekP]

I take the opposite approach. Any time I'm not asked to remove my open flip front I smile sweetly at the person behind the counter and thank them for letting me keep my helmet on as it's such a faff to take it off and replace it.
Similarly, whenever I arrive to fill I flip the helmet and give a good ten seconds of friendly full face stare at the nearest camera.
It does help that I'm identifiabley very middle aged!
Derek

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[iand46]

I bet the twat in the Range Rover couldn't believe his luck, getting a full tank for peanuts.

I guess they'll have the reg on camera.

 

[Packer]

I guess they'll have the reg on camera.

A fundamentally dishonest twat who'll probably get away with it because it would cost more to pursue them than the difference in value of the fuel.

 

[jtb]

The other annoying thing that Shell do is make you get off your bike before filling up. I like to stay on and balance the bike while fuelling (and the usual tired old argument about risk of fuel spill/hot engine etc just doesn't seem valid of 30 years of doing this). I now never go to Shell because their anti-biker policies are just a total pita.

 

[Goldfinger]

If SHELL are anti biker let's all spend our money elsewhere.

 

[Jallani]

I normally go to Pay and Pump at Tesco and sit on bike while filling up to the brim. I was recently asked to get off bike while filling as risk I could lose balance and drop bike. Something to do with insurance coverage but didn't really understand the explanation. I can't ever recall being asked to remove helmet but will do if I see the sign on shop door (more out of courtesy / politeness). In general, it only takes a few extra minutes - only a real pain if it's wet with all the extra faff.

I tend to use a smaller Texaco station now who know me as a regular so no issues sitting on bike or leaving helmet on. They don't have pay at pump but easier / quicker overall (even tho it's normally a 1-2p more expensive!).

 

[Troppo]

In 40+ years of motorcycling, I have NEVER sat on the bike while refueling...

They are right to make you get off.

Bloody dangerous.

 

[Goldfinger]

I disagree, I must have filled up hundreds of times sitting on the bike, keeping it upright and getting the tank filled to the brim without a single incident.

 

[Lord Snooty]

Ok, but how how much more an you actually get into the tank with it upright, 250ml maybe! if that, it's not as if the difference is a couple of litres is it?

 

[AberdeenAngus]

I've never been asked to remove my helmet but that's because I've already removed it.
It's only manners. Wouldn't dream of keeping it on when talking to someone.
Always fill my bike on the side stand. If you hold the bike up and brim it then put it on the side stand while you're paying you're asking for a spill.
But hey ho...each to their own.

 

[Paul S]

I disagree, I must have filled up hundreds of times sitting on the bike, keeping it upright and getting the tank filled to the brim without a single incident.

"Proper" bikes have the petrol cap offset to the right of the tank so they fill up properly on the side stand

 

[GrantR]

Never had a problem in Oz.

Just come back from Oz and all the Caltex garages I was in had a sign asking you to remove your helmet. They also don't activate the pump if you are sitting on the bike....

 

[MrMcNamara]

I've never been asked to remove my helmet but that's because I've already removed it.
It's only manners. Wouldn't dream of keeping it on when talking to someone.
Always fill my bike on the side stand. If you hold the bike up and brim it then put it on the side stand while you're paying you're asking for a spill.
But hey ho...each to their own.

Its the principle of being treated differently than others that's at stake - not politeness. If Hijab / Burka wearers were required to remove headgear for identification, just in case they drove off without paying it would be a level playing field. As it is, just because we have 2 wheels under our backside, we are automatically placed under suspicion. The Shell justification does not wash as bikers have to be road legal as car drivers. Neither Hijab or Burka are required to be worn by the Muslim faith - they are optional. We should all stand together - no discrimination against bikers just because we are easy targets - either insist everyone's face is revealed - including hoodie wearers or accept that bikers are no more likely to steal than any other sector of society

 

[fredaroony]

Just come back from Oz and all the Caltex garages I was in had a sign asking you to remove your helmet. They also don't activate the pump if you are sitting on the bike....

They all have signs but I haven't been asked in maybe 15 years. Never filled my bike up while sitting on it either.