Biking through a flood

Interceptor

I went through several floods on my way home last night and one of them was so high the water came up over the tops of my boots. The air intake on my Varadero 1000 is at the back of the airbox and at around the same height as my boot-tops.

Am I risking a bent conrod or will the front spark plug get soaked first and I'll simply topple over due to a loss of power?

'cptr

Steffano2002

Mhhh... Good question! I'd like to think the engine would simply stop as soon as water enters via the air filter. But I'm no mechanic so to be safe, just avoid it!

KTRIC

I've driven through many a flood. To be honest if you're moving and the water is below the airbox and exhaust then you're fine.


I found the trick is to hit the water fast enough and you'll just aquaplane over it

Steffano2002

KTRIC wrote: »

I found the trick is to hit the water fast enough and you'll just aquaplane over it

That "trick" will turn into a "KTRIC" if you're not careful!

Yes, the expression "Pulling a KTRIC" is now mainstream!

KTRIC

Steffano2002 wrote: »

That "trick" will turn into a "KTRIC" if you're not careful!

Yes, the expression "Pulling a KTRIC" is now mainstream!

I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about :rolleyes:

hobochris

Just go through on the back wheel and you'll be fine

Dark-Mavis

If water did get in to the engine it would stop straight away.

Don't know if damage is done straight away or when you try to start it after it dying (with water still in the cylinders).

Xios

I remember a year and a half ago, in june or something, there was major floods, the n7 was like a river. That day i was in blanch hospital visiting a friend, had to go home late that evening, and heard the m50 was flood too, so i decided to reach lucan via chapelizod, got lost of course and ended up on the strawberry beds, which is like a flood plain for the liffey.
Anyway, was on my YBR 125, and decided to go through the flood, and it wasn't just a big puddle, the whole road for more than a mile was completely under water, i judged the depth by wether or not i could see the white line.
I don't know the mechanics of my bike, but it performed quite well, and i didn't end up pushing it home, not a problem for the little yamaha, even though the water was up to the engine or over, i don't remember too well.
The trick i found was if you keep a steady speed, splitting the water with the front wheel, you'll cause it to be shallow under the engine and the water will collapse back in around the back wheel.

Summary 'Floods are fun unlesss you live in Cambria '

seanybiker

im gonna chance the road near me gaff that always gets flooded in a bit for the laugh. Any rain at all and the road gets closed so later should be fun. Bike could do with a wash anyways .

madrab

Yeah had a blast driving home a few days ago roaring through some of the big puddles & floods

good ole africa twin
7 its his air intake & exhaust

MackDeToaster

The floods are misery for most, but I must admit I've had some great craic the past few days, I've actually been out looking for floods to ride through. A couple of times I've gone a bit fast and been unable to see from the bow wave coming over the top, and I've had it in deep enough to be up over the exhaust as well, but still no bother once I kept the revs high clearing it. This is so much better than your average boring puddles ! Think I need some new boots now though.

keithm1

MackDeToaster wrote: »

The floods are misery for most, but I must admit I've had some great craic the past few days, I've actually been out looking for floods to ride through. A couple of times I've gone a bit fast and been unable to see from the bow wave coming over the top, and I've had it in deep enough to be up over the exhaust as well, but still no bother once I kept the revs high clearing it. This is so much better than your average boring puddles ! Think I need some new boots now though.

your a headcase fairplay to ya

seanybiker

Floods rule.


Cool pics

Pique

Ya need a GS:)