Why do I smell like gas after riding my motorcycle?

Question

I have a 1998 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R which I have owned for 3 years. I had a small gas leak from the hose that comes from the gas tank so I replaced it. That problem is fixed. I still smell like gas after riding. The other gas hoses were not changed because I did not see any gas leaks. I have changed my spark plugs but not my air filter.

Answer 1

Well, i have the same problem.
And i don't know why i smell like gas after riding my...

Answer 2

This may seem like silly trouble shooting procedures but here it goes;

Where do you smell like gas at? Legs and ankles, chest or crotch?

If it is your legs then you may have a fine leak coming from the fuel line and petcock to the carbs or you may have a leak directly from the carbs, but then the bike would be running rough. Also your float setting may be off and now fuel is venting overboard from the carbs. Is the smell on your shoes?

If it is in your crotch then your fuel cap may have a small leak and it is running down toward the seat. But that would seem pretty noticeable?

If the smell is in your chest then my guess is that you like to go really fast and pretend that you're a cafe racer. You lye down on the tank to get out out of the wind don't you. When you do so, you're right on top of the gas cap. If the cap is even slightly leaking (bad seal or cracked edge) you're going to smell like gas.

If nobody else notices a smell then it may be in your head, as in your nose hairs. Your bike is almost 10 years old, look at the cap and see if the rubber seal is weathered, dry rotted, or torn. If so, change the cap.

Answer 3

I would say go ahead and change the other lines out. Might have a very tiny crack that is hard to see. At speeds and presure of running the bike the crack might open up allow gas to evaporate directly onto you.

Another place would be is to check the seal on the gas cap (if there is one).

Also check all conections for gas lines, might just be a lose hose clamp, give them all an extra tweek to ensure tight.

Answer 4

I usually smell gas-like after riding, and I think it has to do with how I'm riding on roads that thousands of cars travel on, and probably a pretty good amount of those cars have gas coming out of them somehow. This gets on the road, which then gets kicked into the air, which I then ride through, so it sticks to me. When you're in a car you aren't in that atmosphere so it doesn't happen.

If you smell like you just bathed in gas, then I'm not sure, but I think if you just smell of it pretty lightly than that is the case.

Answer 5

My theory is that this happens whaen you are riding a bike with a fairing. The wind against the fairing causes a negative pressure on the back side of it allowing exhaust fumes to collect there and get on the riders clothing. I noticed a strong smell when I ducked down below my windscreen the other day. Just my theory. Makes sense though. Kinda like driving a station wagon with the back window down. The exhaust comes in.

Answer 6

Does your seat smell like it got on it when you had the hose leak? Then every time you ride it gets on your cloths. Just a thought unless it is running so rich to make you smell this way.

Answer 7

you are sitting on the gas tank after all and there is a breather hole the smell from that alone will get on to you .and the normal workings of the engine also produce smell that get onto your legs

Answer 8

its probably because when we ride, we rest on the gas tank. it only takes a little bit of fumes to make you smell like gas all day

Answer 9

did you put a clam on the hose you replaced.. their could be lot of thing wrong will it. is it EFI or does it have carburettors. how is it running when you ride. tell more about the bike and i might be able to help.

Answer 10

I would check the gasket on the gas cap. This is something you want to track down.