I agree about it being the filter. My k&n does the same thing. I always carry a shower cap now, just in case.

Sounds like wet wires. I've gone through the automatic car wash on my bike and that's a lot of water. No problem at all.

Are you thinking spark plug wires??? If i put di-electric grease on the plugs do you think it would work? Its going to be tricky to troubleshoot this. I think it had somehting to do with the plugs, because once i couldnt get it started again i took the air cleaner off and it still wouldnt start. wouldnt fire at all. Just seems wierd that i couldnt go over 100kph when it was raining. it was making a popping noise when i gave it more gas.

Water in the fuel system. 99% sure. Same thing happened to me. I think that the water came in through the vent line which is slung under the engine into the road spray. As the tank empties, vacuum pulls the water into the tank. On my bike, when I stopped to fill up, there was a vacuum sound when I pulled the cap off.

Drain the tank from the fuel shut off valve. Look for water. Stand the bike upright for a while. Repeat until all the water is out then throw a can of gas line water remover into it.

It should be fine. Also +1 on draining and blowing out the carb. Just a couple of drops of water in the carb will screw things up real fast. The carbs are very sensitive to water..

After reviewing your post, the bike running crappier on an incline is consistent with water. Mine kept stalling out whenever I turned left as water would slosh into the pick up area.

It could be a combination of wet/saturated air filter, and wet ignition(plug wires etc.)combined. If you were getting voltage leaks because the spark to the plugs was finding new and creative ways to lose energy due to being wet, it'd reduce your speed as well. Having a soaked filter would certainly ruin your day. The filter is a real weak spot. It has the kewel factor, but it is wide open to the elements.
I would think if the Roadie was that weak where wet ignition components was a concern, we'd be seeing it somewhere on here regularly. There are a lot of members, and I'm sure there are plenty who brave the elements to ride in the rain(maybe not, it might just be BMW riders that do that).
It's just anecdotal, but I had on old dodge 265 slant six, that required me to carry an extra distributor cap just in case it happened to see a puddle. I don't think the Roadies are anywhere near that bad, because their designed for some exposure.
Get a shower cap for the filter next time as recommended, and make sure all your plug wires are pushed down tight. Water around the outside of the wires, only needs one wet spot near a connection somewhere along its path to offer an alternative path that doesn't include a spark plug.
You might also keep a poncho or something for the bike when it sits in the rain. A little something over the tank and seat area where all the connections are, couldn't hurt. A heavy four hour rain tends to soak alot of things completely.


Check out Rico's "failed horn" thread. That, is wet, and he is running a stock airbox(I'm Pretty sure).

Lucky1 wrote:
Sounds like wet wires. I've gone through the automatic car wash on my bike and that's a lot of water. No problem at all. Did you get the Hot Wax? Or just a serious buffing?

I picked up the bike today. tried starting it thinking it was wet wires. no go. So i took the gas cap off, sure enough there was allready rust on the seal on on the tank around the rim. So im thinking it might have came in through there a bit. Drained bout half the tank and still wouldnt start. Put fuel stabilizer in there and after ten minutes i got it going. Still couldnt give it gas without it dieing. Did the exact same thing it was doing on the highway. Tried to drain the bowl on the bowl on the carb. coudlnt get it off with the tools i had. So i put the choke half way on so i could rev it up higher. backfired and threw black smoke out for a while then started running fine. Just wanted to thank all you guys for all the input. Like i said earlier im sort of a newbie to riding still. Its good to hear what everyone has to say bout stuff like this. I feel like im a little more prepared for the next rainfall when i dont have a garage to park my bike in.

Just a quick comment about the bowl, and you may know this, but you don't have to remove the bowl to drain it, just open/loosen the 5mm screw on the back side next to the bowl drain spout. It's still a stinker to get to. Just be careful not to over tighten the screw when closing it, or you may crack the bowl, or ruin the seat on the screw.

Glad you got it home safe and sound.

Just curious, do you run some Seafoam in your gas from time to time?...like every other tank or so?

I am aware of that drain screw. the allan i had was too long to get to it and turn it. I do run seafoam every couple tanks. but i have nt in about 4 or 5 tanks of fuel though. Im going to start doing it with every tank and carry it on my bike. Just so this doesnt happen again. And just a question about that hose that creates a vaccum sucking up water that was mentioned before. I was just wondering where it was. And what i can do to make it so it doesnt suck up water in my fuel.

murshes wrote:
I am aware of that drain screw. the allan i had was too long to get to it and turn it. I do run seafoam every couple tanks. but i have nt in about 4 or 5 tanks of fuel though. Im going to start doing it with every tank and carry it on my bike. Just so this doesnt happen again. And just a question about that hose that creates a vaccum sucking up water that was mentioned before. I was just wondering where it was. And what i can do to make it so it doesnt suck up water in my fuel.

The hose in question, comes off of the front of the tank under the dash. Mine goes back by the oil tank under the seat, and hangs down in that area. There should be a rollover valve in it. It'd have to suck awful hard to get back to the tank, but never say never, and Shoshin seemed convinced.
I was curious about the seafoam, because it almost sounds like you were not getting any/enough fuel. Did you try pulling the enricher while you were having problems the other day?