Pods in the rain

[Clumzi]

I've heard that pods are no good in the rain. Does this mean that you can't ride at all in the rain? Does this mean that bikes with pods tend to not run as well in the rain? I live in Washington state, if you're not going to ride in the rain you might as well not have a bike but I've seen bikes with pods around here. Can somebody give me the lowdown? -nick

[Nessism]

Pod filters get wet when it rains. This is not a good thing. Water can get sucked into your engine and the water can contaminate the filtering ability and upset the carb mixture. Side winds can also upset carburation when it blows when you have pods. Of course, many people manage to get by just fine with pods in the rain and wind but if you plan on riding in incliment weather on a regular basis, pods are pretty foolhardy in my opinion.

[Big T]

Why don't you just order up the carb to airbox boots you need? They're a lot cheaper than pods

[Jethro]

First, I'll say I personally am not a fan of pods. I had them on both my 1100's and no amount of tuning could eliminate the very, very slight hesitation on my CV carbs. That said, I have rode an 1100 with pods that ran flawlessly- and a 1000. And without a doubt there is a noticeable power gain with pods, pipe and well jetted carbs.

As far as water goes, I rode many, many thousands of miles in all conditions including pouring rain for hours on end and never had a problem with water.

[ultrasound analyst]

Hi all,
I have'nt been on this forum for a number year. And may have some information from K&N filters that will be food for thought. About 4 years ago I installed the complete power train from a 92 corvette with tuned port injection my 77 carb engine corvette. In that install this question came up, the filter had to be put in front of the radeator and lower to the ground than a GS. K&N said that this would not be a problem do to the filter media design. That being said my gs does'nt have and will not get pods installed this bike is a very good comuterer and I can only support one hot rod. Riding this bike in all weather condition, I have not noticed inside of my pants gettin wet, and in carb engines thay will run better with little water nist this is common on gasoline drag cars.

[ultrasound analyst]

Hi all,
I have'nt been on this forum for a number year. And may have some information from K&N filters that will be food for thought. About 4 years ago I installed the complete power train from a 92 corvette with tuned port injection my 77 carb engine corvette. In that install this question came up, the filter had to be put in front of the radeator and lower to the ground than a GS. K&N said that this would not be a problem do to the filter media design. That being said my gs does'nt have and will not be installing them, this bike is a very good comuterer and I can only support one hot rod. Riding this bike in all weather condition, I have not noticed inside of my pants gettin wet, and in carb engines thay will run better with little water nist this is common on gasoline drag cars.

[80GS1000]

Just washed my podded GS1000 today and got plenty of water on the pods. Started right up no problem. Can't say I've ever had a problem with it riding in the rain either....

[TheCafeKid]

Ive never had a problem with rain/water on pods either. I HAVE however noticed the bike became very irritated by strong side drafts (im talking STRONG however) with the pods tho.

[Griffin]

Ive never had a problem with rain/water on pods either. I HAVE however noticed the bike became very irritated by strong side drafts (im talking STRONG however) with the pods tho.

I noticed that my 750E became irritated with strong side winds when it was missing the side cover that covers the airbox opening for a while. I imagine side winds would be much worse with pods.

[TheCafeKid]

I noticed that my 750E became irritated with strong side winds when it was missing the side cover that covers the airbox opening for a while. I imagine side winds would be much worse with pods.

Yeah i couldnt tell really what the actuall problem was to be honest. It didnt really feel like it was surging, like one would think, if it was getting TOO much air. What it felt like was almost like it wasnt getting ENOUGH air, like the side winds caused air to be drawn away from the pods intake path, and it was bogging like it was too rich...it was weird.

[chef1366]

I've had no problem with rain or wind.


Oh yeah I hardly have either here.

[first timer]

k and n pods for the 550 80-82 are very sensative to rain. They are not your typical shape pod filter. One filter covers 2 carbs so the filter ends up doing double duty. ANother thing that doesn't help is where the tank is located, when rain strikes the tank it runs off and dumps right on the filters.

That being said if you intend to be a all weather rider then pods are not good for your 550. But if you plan to ride on nice days only then go for it. don't forget to rejet with a dynojet kit. (I found the DJ150 mains worked the best) If you do a search you should find a post a did 2 years ago that tell part numbers you need to go to pods.

[Nessism]

Seeing as how K&N filters are cleaned by washing in soap and water, why would anyone want to ride in the rain with them and suck dirt into the engine? Also, K&N filters don't filter very well under any condition - they flow lots of air but don't filter the air that well. Despite these downsides, K&N filters are like crack for most motorcyclists.

[Buffalo Bill]

Did I miss your point?

Hi all,
I have'nt been on this forum for a number year. And may have some information from K&N filters that will be food for thought. About 4 years ago I installed the complete power train from a 92 corvette with tuned port injection my 77 carb engine corvette. In that install this question came up, the filter had to be put in front of the radeator and lower to the ground than a GS. K&N said that this would not be a problem do to the filter media design. That being said my gs does'nt have and will not be installing them, this bike is a very good comuterer and I can only support one hot rod. Riding this bike in all weather condition, I have not noticed inside of my pants gettin wet, and in carb engines thay will run better with little water nist this is common on gasoline drag cars.

I can't understand what your point is?

[bwringer]

During the 2004 "SCUBA" Ride (AKA the 2004 Brown County GS Rally), the ride Saturday morning went through a violent, toad-strangler thunderstorm. Flooding, trees falling, lightning... and for some reason, several of us kept going. It was actually kinda fun.

Anyway, the bikes with pods had some problems that day. Probably about the closest to riding underwater you can get.

In many other rides in the rain, in more "normal" amounts of rain. the bikes with pods don't seem to have problems. In extreme rain, they do.