Rain and Pods

[Carter Turk]

I went on a 150 mile rain ride with pods on my 1150 yesturday. The bike started cutting out at 60 mph, sputtering surging and farting after about 35 miles on the road. When I short shifted at 1/4 throttle openings it ran fine.

If I got on the throttle it sputtered horribly, but only when trying to exceed 60mph.

Do you think this is a water in the carb issue or water on the wiring harness or advance mechanism? Or just water on the airfilters?

I will admit my wiring harness is a bit butchered, but it recently went on a dry 800 mile ride with no issues.

And do you think that little paper gasket on the advance cover really prevents water from entering? I don't have one.

Thanks for any thoughts

[duaneage]

Advance cove needs to be water tight. Period.

Pods are great if they are underneath a cars hood and don't get waterlogged. When it all drys out soak them with a garden hose and see how it runs.

[Jethro]

I have ridden in extened, hard rain with my pods with no problems whatsoever.

[Tarbash 27]

I TEND TO RIDE IN THE RAIN OFTEN ACCIDENTLY, I HAVE PODS ON MY 750 AND I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ITS SEEMS LIKE ITS THE WATER JUST GETTING ON THE PODS AND ALL THE MOISTURE IN THE AIR CAUSING IT TO SPUTTER. THATS WHY THE BIKES ARE MADE WITH AN AIRBOX, TO SOMEWHAT DEFEAT THIS PROBLEM.

[Carter Turk]

So you folks are ruling out the electrics getting wet, aside from the first guy?

[pano]

During one of our recent rides in Maine we ended up riding in some fairly heavy rain early one morning going to get coffee. My bike sputtered to the coffee shop but cleared up a short time later during our actual ride. It just so happened the rain let up as well. That was the first time it has ever happened.

[fastpakr]

My 750 with pods has never sputtered for a moment in the rain.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

I think if the sputtering was related to a wet wiring harness, it would do it all the time, not just 60 and over. I still think you should install the ignition cover gasket.
Each bike is a little different in the way the water can drip off the tank or have the wind direct the water onto the filters. Obviously, too much water can cause problems.
And the higher your speed/more vacuum, the more likely the water entering the filters will also be drawn into the carbs. At slower speeds/ less vacuum, much of the water will just drain through the bottom of the filters instead of being drawn into the carbs.

[Carter Turk]

Good point about the vacuum. Maybe I'll have to devise some sort of shroud to deflect the water away from the filters. I don't think a stock gsxr airbox will fit in a kat frame. Thanks for the advice

[Hoomgar]

I have ridden in extened, hard rain with my pods with no problems whatsoever.

ditto, and I'll add that I have done it for over 23 years.