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If you've ever been on a european motorcycle forum one of their biggest complaints are diesel spills causing motorcyclists to crash. When a higher % of the cars on the road burn diesel there is a greater chance of a spill and the unfortunate part is that it doesn't evaporate like gasoline does. Careful what you wish for....

High_Side wrote:...... european motorcycle forum one of their biggest complaints are diesel spills causing motorcyclists to crash......

And this still buffalo's me.

How does that diesel spill out? Are they waving running pump nozzles around? Are European fuel tanks open on top?

I've been driving diesels since about 85. I've dribbled a few drops on the side of my truck a few times.. at the pump. A quick wipe with a paper towel if the trucks clean, let it collect dust if the trucks dirty and it's over. I've never had the spill grow in size or quantity after I'm done and the fuel cap is back on. I've never found any fuel under the truck, in my driveway, or anyplace I drive frequently.

Does their gasoline spill out of their vehicles too????

Maybe they mean spills after an accident. Trust me, the fluid contents of an automobile after an accident can make a very slippery mess on the road that is difficult to get up even without fuel oil.

Antifreeze is one of the most common, since front end collisions frequently break radiators. Motor oil is the next common in collisions involving the engine compartment, but oil on the ground is a little bit easier to identify as a hazard. I very rarely notice fuel spills in minor collisions, as the gas tanks are very well protected and the amount of fuel in the distribution system is pretty low.

Probably the biggest hazard left after cleanup is the absorbent used to pick up the fluids. A light sprinkling of absorbent (kitty litter) is sometimes left for vehicles to grind into the pavement and finish getting the remaining fluids that weren't absorbed.

My rule of thumb is if I see any evidence of a past accident I assume that I'll have no traction at all through the accident site.

Tex

BuzZz wrote:

High_Side wrote:...... european motorcycle forum one of their biggest complaints are diesel spills causing motorcyclists to crash......

And this still buffalo's me.

Does their gasoline spill out of their vehicles too????

Hey I dunno, I'm not in Europe....

Why so cranky Buzz? Getting any riding on the FJ this summer??

Ha, I have not yet begun to Crank!



And I didn't really mean for it to come across as cranky. I just always wonder at the complaints of Euros and diesel spills whenever I hear/read them. Mostly because I don't get how the stuff gets there. Spills at accident scenes, O.K. But I get the feeling that Euro rider's are finding diesel laying around every few feet.... or think they are. Unless they are having major wrecks every 12 feet......

I do believe that if it is there, it is dangerous. So is coolant. I am a millwright and a mechanic ( MASTER mechanic now... oooh, aaahhh ) and have more experience with all these fluids than most people, I would gladly bet. And I would rather be dunked up to my neck in raw crude than get coolant on my hands.... I hate that shitt anyplace other than inside a cooling system. As soon as it escapes, it is my #1 pet peeve. Too bad you can't do much more than a simple tune-up without draining that crap out.

Actually, I haven't got as much riding in as I would like, by a longshot.

I have been driving a diesel service truck all over Hell's half acre. It's got a 200 gl sliptank that is filled at the very top of the service body, plumbed down through that service body into the stock tank with rubber hose (by epileptic monkey's from the look of it) and I haven't spilled or leaked any diesel out of it yet....... but I'm fixing to take care of that. I'm coming off the truck and back to my cushy job in the shop.

Now if I could find a herd of breast-feeding ladies to hang out with......

I wish I had a bike that got better mileage.
Mine gets avg. of 40.
Not gonna get rid of it, mind you.
Just want another one that gets better mileage.
This would fit the bill perfectly.

Yes, I am obsessed.

40 is pretty good. I get about 33 in the city.

40 is still better than most cars.

I get 53 highway, ~42 city.

instead of riding that gas guzzeling toyota corrola you should start riding a honda rebel that gets 80mpg.


I got 55mpg city and 45mpg hwy on my bike (only got 4 gears thus the reason fro lower gas mileage hwy). My van gets 23mpg but then again I have 4 children so even an SUV wouldnt really fit my family unless I get like a suburban but if I am spending that kind of $$$ I might as well just get a silverado extended cab with the "green" engine.

AZRider wrote:I wish I had a bike that got better mileage.
Mine gets avg. of 40.
Not gonna get rid of it, mind you.
Just want another one that gets better mileage.
This would fit the bill perfectly.[imghttp://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/Kawas ... r%2006.jpg[/img]

Yes, I am obsessed.

FYI, mine get's low 40's. Though, I do have a Jardine pipe on there. And no re-tune. And I'm yet to block off Kawi's version of the PAIR valve. I'm also fairly aggressive, and a larger fellow. THOUGH, when I first started riding it, 45 mpg was common around town. Once saw 49 mpg. Heard of 52 being about as good as you're gonna get, though un-common. The fuel guide on this site says 45 - 50, I believe it, with a steady ride and average sized rider.