Why do i smell gas?

[cswett]

Newbie here, so please forgive my obsessing.
I have ridden about 300 miles on my recently purchased 2004 R1150R, which now has about 2,250 miles. Have filled it up about 3 or 4 times.
When I gassed up the other night, I filled the tank as normal -- put the nozzle into the tank as far as it would go, and stopped when the automatic shutoff occurred.
Since then I have smelled slight whiff of gasoline about every time I've ridden it, even wearing my full-face helmet. When I stop and take off the helmet, though, I can't smell it any more. No signs of drips or leaks anywhere. I don't know if this is relevant, but right after filling up and riding away, I questioned in my mind whether I had used the right grade of Union 76 gas (possible senior moment in hitting 87 rather than 91, but I can't be sure)
Any issues leap immediately to mind? I'm planning about a 400-mile ride on Thursday and sure don't want to take off with something troublesome lurking in the background.
Thanks

[sweatmark]

Confirm fuel cap fully closed and clicked into place.

More likely - Check the fuel line quick-connects, RHS of bike under a small cover attached by one screw (Torx 25) and a friction post. Search within this site for lots of info pertaining to leaking clamps/broken connectors/worn & dirty o-ring seals. Evidence of fuel leak in this area is telltale discoloration of silver painted surfaces on RHS of transmission case; black bikes get dulled paint surfaces. If evident, then the fix is easy, and many of us here can point to the fuel stains as R1150R badge of courage.

[challey]

Not sure what the cause of the odor is but I can tell you that it's not related to the grade of fuel you may or may not have used.

You say that you can only smell the gasoline odor with your helmet on. I'll assume that's equivalent to saying that you only smell it while moving. If so, that may mean that if there is indeed a leak, if happens when the fuel system is pressurized (which could also account for not finding any drips while parked - the leak may be slight and evaporating as it runs down the engine case as you travel).

If this is the case, my first suspect would be the OEM plastic fuel line quick disconnects that are prone to crack and leak. I'd check them out carefully, which is pretty easy to do - they are on the right side of the bike, not quite under the tank and behind a plastic shroud that is easily removed (one screw). If it is the QD's, the fix is to either replace them with more robust ones or simply elimate them and replace with metal hose barbs. There are plenty of posts on this forum on this subject.

Again assuming a leak, it may something as simple as an incorrectly tightened fuel line clamp. The factory clamps are the Oetiker type which technically require a special tool but can occasionally be tightened enough by the careful use of an old pair of dull dykes. If you suspect the clamps, it's probably better to just remove the old clamps and replace with new FI-type clamps. Again, plenty of info on this forum about this.

Charlie

[NoRRmad]

Filled it up 3 or 4 times and gone 300 miles? That does sound like a significant fuel leak. I'd try running the engine for a short time on the centerstand while you look at the quick-connect area with a flashlight. I'll bet you have a high-pressure pinhole leak, maybe around the fuel-injection hose clamps. It happened to me, and lucky I caught it in the garage.

[cswett]

The term "doofus" does not adequately describe me. Indeed the fuel cap was not fully closed. Sure looked closed from the rider position, but what an obvious thing to check when I smelled gas. I had a K75 with a strong gas odor, and I had to replace the line going to fuel pressure regulator deep in the bowels of the bike, so I was all prepared for a big hassle. Love the easy and (now-obvious) solutions.
Live and learn.
Thanks guys, you are the best

[cswett]

Filled it up 3 or 4 times and gone 300 miles? That does sound like a significant fuel leak. .

I filled after 100 or 120 miles, just because that's what I was used to doing on my last bike. Going to have to get used to this longer range.

[owldaddy]

NoRRmad has come up with good advice still, the QD's and the clamps have been a major trouble area. If you haven't either changed the QD's to a more robust type, or remove them entirely, the time will come when they will give you fits. Hopefully they will fail in the garage rather then on the road.
Don

[Weaze]

Did you have Mexican for lunch or dinner? I know I usually smell gas if I eat that stuff.

[gregor]

I swapped a K75 for my current R1150R and the current tank mileage is definitely ~ 40 miles less than the K.
The K was a good bike but lacking in character compared to the boxer.Never broke down until two days before the trade in when the water pump seal leaked. They know don't they?

[mnnden]

Make sure the gas cap is completely closed, sometimes it can appear to be closed but isn't! Don't ask me how I know this, Den

[towerworker]

Listen and feel for the "click".

And then push it down again.