Riding in the rain

Discussion in '6th Generation 2002-2013' started by Jota_SV, May 31, 2014.

  1. Jota_SV

    Jota_SV New Member

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    Anyone had issues with riding in the rain? My recent trip to Arnhem was marred by breaking down twice on the M25 in London. The bike died twice in torrential rain causing me to head to the hard shoulder in a hurry.

    On both occasions the bike restarted after a 5min rest. I guessed the front plugs were drenched. Once at my friends house I coated the plugs in WD40.

    I've now ordered a fender extender to reduce the risk of this happening again.

    My previous two bikes were SV's and fender extenders were mandatory as the single plug was right in the firing line of the front wheel.

    I may have been unlucky as it was a proper monsoon but I'd rather avoid a repeat.

    sent via Pony Express
     
  2. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Can't help with a solution but where I live, it rains more that over there. In the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains of the wet coast of Canada. My riding had to be 50% or so in the rain and I experienced no issues with the bike.
     
  3. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    I have rode in the rain (Heavy) :rain: and found no issue
     
  4. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Just throwing this out there. Maybe the sparkplug cables are failing where the fit over the plug?. Putting a fender extension on may solve a problem that should not be an issue in the first place.
     
  5. Jota_SV

    Jota_SV New Member

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    Could be the case. It's not looking like a common problem.

    sent via Pony Express
     
  6. Fantastic!

    Fantastic! New Member

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    I have rode through TORRENTIAL rain and the bike chewed it up. Felt bullet proof to me.
     
  7. Jota_SV

    Jota_SV New Member

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    Thanks. I'd better look for some insulation issue. Thinking back it's not like it even misfitted, the motor just died.

    sent via Pony Express
     
  8. bitterpil

    bitterpil New Member

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    What year bike? I have an 06 6th gen and never had a problem. Not to mention the engine is so hot no water would ever make it into the plugs. Electronic ignition may be issue with your connectors. Look at the wires and connections.
     
  9. Jota_SV

    Jota_SV New Member

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    It's an 2007 A6.

    sent via Pony Express
     
  10. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    I had an inline 4 liquid cooled bike that in a torrentional rain, couldnt get rid of the water fast enough, It stopped running on a few cylinders, and I believe I had to pull off the road and wait. There were holes in the head to drain the water, it was a turd of a bike btw, kawasaki zL600, little fizzy eliminator. Total crap. Never had an issue on my gen3 bike and thats been through rain, and winters.

    Ohm the plug wires? sounds electrical to me.
     
  11. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Moisture in the connectors can turn to steam causing a bad connection. Cracked or worn connectors maybe?
     
  12. Zoober

    Zoober New Member

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    Pilot Road II's, I'm not afraid of rain :smug: Though I dislike chain maintenance afterwards...
     
  13. pacemaker

    pacemaker New Member

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    Bad insulators (end caps) can cause the connection to arc against the motor (or anything metal). Also make the end caps are properly seated & in good condition. If water is getting down there it will cause problems.
     
  14. nearfreezing

    nearfreezing New Member

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    Once in rain, I did have the FI light turn on with no noticeable change in engine performance. After the bike dried out, next time I turned the bike on the FI light had turned off. I suspect something to do with the front cylinder ignition system as that is somewhat exposed to roadspray.
     
  15. NormK

    NormK New Member

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    Steam off the exhausts was knocking out the coils on my CB750, hose the coils with water no problem, but the first bit of steam and bingo motor would die, new coils no more problems
     
  16. Jota_SV

    Jota_SV New Member

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    In not sure my problem was the front plugs. There was no misfire that you'd usually get, the engine just died as though I'd hit the kill switch. I need to experiment with a warm engine and a hose pipe.

    sent via Pony Express
     
  17. Lint

    Lint Member

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    Have you checked your air filter? Do you have both of the rubber gaskets that go to your airbox? I guess you would probably know if you were getting water in the intake tho.
     
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