Skip to content

Motorcycle Forums

Search Forums:

You are in... Forums > General > General > CO-OP Petrol Stations Biker Friendly?

Got something to say?

Got something to say?

Go to most recent reply

nickfjr

Joined:

Jun 12

Posts: 3

nickfjr says:

CO-OP Petrol Stations Biker Friendly?

I'm a bit out of date riding in UK as I have been working abroad for a while and only got to go out on my bike on infrequent holidays.

Taking advantage of a brief respite in the bad weather I took my teenage daughter out for a ride a week or so ago to get re-aquainted with the Lincolnshire roads. I stopped at the local (quite recently opened) CO-OP/BP petrol station to top up but was told over the loud speaker in the station that they would not dispence fuel whilst rider or pillion were sat on the bike. I have a center stand so it was not too much of an issue for me but I was confused as to the reasoning.

While paying I asked the clerk who said that it's company policy (CO-OP not BP) and due to the dreaded Health and Safety as well as the (percieved) likelyhood of bikers nicking fuel by riding off when full! I explained that many many bikes don't have a centre stand and that bikers straddle the bike to keep it central and so fill the tank fully. Her only answer was to suggest that the pillion or, if solo, a passing motorist hold the bike steady!! I wouldn't expect my 13yr old girl to hold my bulky FJR1300 steady let alone Mrs Miggins at the next door pump!!

At that point I decided that I would not be using CO-OP owned stations anymore (they're 3p a litre more than the supermarkets anyway!).

I have asked at the local Sainsburys who say the only restriction they have is that Bikers remove helmets, or lift the front so face is visable on flip-face lids, and this is as much to get your face on camera as it is to speak "face-to-face" with customers, and this I can fully understand having lived the last 3 yrs in a place where veils were the fashion for women :winkie:. One nice cashier suggested that if I were to fill up at CO-OP again then I ask the staff to hold the bike for me :laugh:

Has anyone experience similar "red tape" and is willing to name and shame the brand so I can avoid them?

Enjoy, be safe :ph43r:

[This Topic has been modified by the Author]

Reply to this Topic  
  • Posted 336 days ago (21 June 2012 12:47)

Post a message in General

Fields marked with an asterisk * are required

   

Please note. You cannot submit more than 4000 characters as a message.

Upload image(s) from your computer (up to 3 images)

  1.  
  2.  
  3.  

Terms of use

Use of our community areas and forums is subject to important terms of use. By joining our community and using the features you agree to be bound by these terms. See terms of use below. 

Cancel
ninjachica

Joined:

Jul 08

Posts: 3453

ninjachica says:

Love it

You must go again, and take a load of mates with you.  Then, you can insist on the attendant holding each bike as it gets filled up.

Photos please. :lol:

Reply to this Topic
  • Posted 336 days ago (21 June 2012 13:00)
spondonste

Joined:

Aug 02

Posts: 2584

spondonste says:

Just don't buy it

I must admit I've never really bought the comment about straddling to top up the tank. The difference between topping up on the side stand and straddling the bike is quite minimal. There is also the risk of slipping whilst leaning over to the pump whilst straddling the bike. Often the area around pumps can be quite slippy and a crotch full of petrol aint to be encouraged. I've always gotten off the bike partially out of respect for the forecourt staff.

Reply to this Topic
  • Posted 336 days ago (21 June 2012 13:12)
dom501

Joined:

Sep 10

Posts: 49

dom501 says:

Petrol Station

Last time I visited the BP garage near me the attendent filled up my bike up for me. He then told me to park up and pay (no mention of taking my helmet off) I think this only happens when its pretty busy though. Good service all the same.

Reply to this Topic
  • Posted 336 days ago (21 June 2012 13:47)
MarcusMarsh

Joined:

Aug 09

Posts: 2527

MarcusMarsh says:

BP

My local BP is fine, never had any issues.  I would be interested in the Co-Op H&S manager's view of that conversation.  Apparently it is unsafe to fuel a bike while sitting on it to hold it upright but acceptable to fuel it with a 'passing motorist' who probably has no experience in handling bikes supporting it.  Yeah!  I don't think so!

This subject has been covered a few times on here and my opinion is easy - vote with your feet and buy your fuel elsehwere.  It's not worth even discussing these policies with the companies that adopt them as their position is rarely supported by logic. 

And by the way - supermarket petrol in your bike?  I wouldn't.   

Reply to this Topic
  • Posted 336 days ago (21 June 2012 14:52)
preunit

Joined:

Dec 10

Posts: 7306

preunit says:

"supermarket petrol in your bike? I wouldn't. "

X2....Period.

Reply to this Topic
  • Posted 336 days ago (21 June 2012 14:57)
nickfjr

Joined:

Jun 12

Posts: 3

nickfjr says:

Supermarket Fuel no good?

is supermarket fuel no good? As previously mentioned I have been overseas for some time and was unaware of any issues regarding fuel, I thought it was all Esso/Shell/BP and just branded at the pump anyway? I usually just buy the cheapest locally as £1.40 a litre stings when used to paying 6-8p a litre in Saudi (depending on Octane level) :shock:!

I have certainly experienced no difference in running of the bike using Sainsburys rather than BP, except in the back pocket, even when commuting from Lincoln to London a few years back.... but I'm prepared to be educated :blink:

Reply to this Topic
  • Posted 336 days ago (21 June 2012 16:51)
Blader2005

Joined:

Dec 08

Posts: 1532

Blader2005 says:

petrol...

personally, ive never had an issue with any stations in Lincoln.. Nick, where bouts in lincoln is this station? and as for cost, i find the total garage at Pennells r/bout is always the same price as supermarkets... 129.9p/l at the mo.. and they have never asked me to remove lid, get off bike (tho i choose to do so) they dont even ask me to remove lid when i go in to pay...

do agree with the others re supermarket petrol.. dont use it in my bike.... and have noticed a difference in smoothness and economy/mpg when ive used it in the car compared to Total/BP/Jet etc...

Reply to this Topic
  • Posted 336 days ago (21 June 2012 20:16)
philehidiot

Joined:

Feb 09

Posts: 3049

philehidiot says:

Shell

pissed me right off telling me to remove my helmet to use pay at pump. I use it to avoid removing my helmet.

Reply to this Topic
  • Posted 336 days ago (21 June 2012 20:22)
nickfjr

Joined:

Jun 12

Posts: 3

nickfjr says:

Coop in Lincoln

It's on the corner of Skellingthorpe road and Birchwood ave next to the Wildlife pub Blader. I tend to use the Sainsburys but will give Total a go and see if I can notice a difference. 

Cheers

Reply to this Topic
  • Posted 336 days ago (22 June 2012 07:23)
aehewitt

Joined:

Jan 11

Posts: 5828

aehewitt says:

Is there

any benefit to putting super unleaded in a 1000cc sports bike.The reason i ask is because i filled up my CRF with it and it feels like a different bike.:biggrin::biggrin:

Reply to this Topic
  • Posted 336 days ago (22 June 2012 07:35)

Page

 
 

Compare Insurance

Save money by comparing quotes. It's quick and easy

Get motorcycle insurance quotes

Motorcycles for sale

Search motorcycles for sale
 

It's only £13.99 to advertise your motorcycle on MCN

Sell your Motorcycle

Most popular