Fjording w/ the Monster

[CDawg]

I got caught in an unusual predicament and was hoping to get people's thoughts, critiques, comments, etc...

Went riding this Saturday and got caught in a severe thunderstorm.  I did the usual ducking the worst parts under gas stations and overpasses.  However, in one section of the freeway (mild left-hander with banked surface) there was bad flooding.  I was trapped with concrete barriers on both sides, long line of piss-y cars, strong down pour w/ no end in sight.

I decided that turning around was not an option as I would be going against traffic on the freeway.  I decided that waiting out the storm is not a good option as it was rainig really hard and there are no shoulders for me to pull over.  In the end I decided to fjord the flooded area ("river").  The river spanned across the barrier so I picked the high side of the bank.  However, the depth went from 2~3 inches in the begining to what felt like a foot of water.  I kept telling myself to keep the RPM high so the exhaust would prevent/minimize water flowing into Quad-D ExBox.  I also feathered the clutch so I can keep the speed down/smooth and the torque high. 

Thankfully, I got through it fine, but at one point a cager rushed the deeper side and it's wake started to push/drift me to the concrete.  I had to tell myself no sudden movements and just go with the flow.  I made it home safe (but wet) and made sure to let the bike idle for a while to get the operating temperature up to cook off any water that may have gotten the exhaust, etc...  I took the bike out on Sunday (just around the block since all my leathers are soaked) to check the electrics and make sure there no water in the system and to lube the chain.  The exhaust fumes was clear and all the electrics checked out, so it seems like the bike was no worse for wear.

Thought, comments, advice what to do next time or what I should have done this time or waht maintenance to check tonight?

[Ducatista]

WOW!!!  Scary experience.  Yeah, I got nothing for you.  I guess these are the advantages of having the intake so high up on the bike.  How far up on the bike did the water go?  Did your exhaust make bubbles? 

[CDawg]

How far up on the bike did the water go?  Did your exhaust make bubbles? 

Hard to tell, to be honest, I was too scared to look down...for fear of going down with it.  I could feel the waves lapping at my feet, but I cannot recall if I had the balls or the heels on the pegs during that experience.

[Ducatista]

Yikes!  Yeah, that was definitely washing inside your exhaust.  You might want to check the condition of your baffles.  They rust really fast, so if they get wet at all, even if you dried them out, they may be damaged. 

[He Man]

make the beast with two backs that just throw the baffels away. who needs em? But seriously man, where did you get caught? I've ridden in storms like that probably 2-3 times. I just keep my blinkers on and be consistent on the throttle. Hell i rode all the way to Goldcoast like that to and fro. Got some balls riding in the river though. lol

[wbeck257]

A little water never hurt anyone...

[CDawg]

A little water never hurt anyone...

Shorter distance, that be me...about the same water level too.  Hope I never have to do it again.

[truckinduc]

i used to ride my honda dirtbike up to the handlebars in the lake, just have to keep the speed up. the air intake was under the seat. The wing- radiator shrouds on the tank would push the water away from the seat creating an air pocket right at the air box. I did suck water in a few times. Just removed the plug and drained the float bowl, turn it over a few times, put the plug back in and go. Got to love hondas. Never once got any water in the oil. Bike probably needs some rings now come to think of it.

[CDawg]

i used to ride my honda dirtbike up to the handlebars in the lake, just have to keep the speed up.

No issue with water in the exhaust?
*fingers crossed*

[truckinduc]

no not at all, never was a problem. Id estimate id keep it about 5k rpm.

[CDawg]

no not at all, never was a problem. Id estimate id keep it about 5k rpm.

Thanks!  I recon I was around 5~6k RPM. That helps put my mind at east a bit.