How Deep of a water can a monster go through?

[bob795]

Hi guys,

Got a question, how deep of a water can a monster go though?

I live in Jakarta, and currently it's rainy season here. Heavy rain is usually followed by flash flood or flooded street. I rode my bike in rain all the time but I seldom ride through flooded street or area. I have only done it twice, two days ago and this morning. This morning, rain has been falling since 4 a.m, and 6 hours later it's still raining. Many area of the city is flooded. Traffic jam everywhere. Glad I took my bike, and just rode through the flooded street, other wise I'd be stuck in the traffic jam like many others.

So, how deep of a water can a monster safely ride through? Without shutting or stalling the engine? And without damaging the electronics?

I find that I can go when the water is almost as high as the front tire. This morning, in some places the water was as high as the tire. The front tire was almost or even completely submerged. Fortunately I could ride through with no problem.  But I don't know if it's allright or not.


 

[Pedro-bot]

That sounds awesome!
Man, post up some pics!!

There's probably many things that can wrong with riding your moto that deep.

I don't know which are priority.

But I don't think I would risk some engine or drivetrain failure if an alternative means of transportation during weather like that is available.

[1.21GW]

Question:

But I don't know if it's allright or not.

Answer:

Fortunately I could ride through with no problem. 

[Dirty Duc]

First of all:   I think the Ducati answer is less than an inch.

Second, and more on topic: I think in this case your definition of all right and the US definition of all right are two very different things.  Look at my signature line before you start taking anything that follows as gospel.  I assume you are capable of managing your own risk.

The insurance in the US totalled a guys bike for having the case under the salt water after the recent hurricane... I'm thinking to a lower level than you are talking about.

If it were mine:  The main concern would be the starter... I think everything else electric is above the front wheel except for the horizontal spark plug, but I'd double check.  Of course if you did it and it still starts... however deep you went is probably not a Duc-killer.  The main concern is to keep it running and not suck water into either the exhaust or the intake.  The 795 is the same as the rest of the new monsters with the intake above the tank?  The next concern (I assume, because I haven't really looked at the new ones) is the ECU which on the older ones is slightly lower than the line on the tank where the new ones have the intake.  If your crotch is underwater, you probably have a limited time until the ECU gets waterlogged and ceases to function.  Keeping the gas on will keep the water out of the exhaust, and I would avoid slamming the throttle closed if I were doing this.  The spark plug on the horizontal cylinder might also give you trouble after a thorough soaking of that nature.

Here our flash floods have a pretty vicious current and it is not advisable to drive SUVs through them.  In this part of the US, if you get stuck trying to cross a flood you have to pay the rescue bill.  They call it the "stupid motorist" law.

Some Ducs have issues with moisture in the gauges when riding in the rain, and my oil pressure switch does not like being soaked.  Other than that... you are the guinea pig until someone more intelligent and better versed in Ducs comes along and tells me off  

[bob795]

Thanks guys.

When it rains, I prefer riding my bike to driving a car. The traffic jam after a rain is really horrible here, and I can't stand got stuck in a car in a traffic jam for hours

So when it rains, I always take my bike. The difference this morning is, the rain was much heavier and it flooded the streets. But, there was no turning back...and there's no way to turn back ... so I just rode on and enjoyed it I figure since the air intake is above the tank, the engine wont suck water. It's the electronics that I'm worry about, but as far as I can tell, most of the stuffs are underneath the seat.

On my sportster, the highest water I rode through was the height of the exhaust cross-over, right under the air filter. It was a smiliar situation, I was caught in traffic jam and flooded street, and no turning back.

[MendoDave]

Try water proofing some of the electrics. ECU gell on the sparkplug leads. etc.

[bob795]

Thanks Mendo Dave, I forgot about that ... I think I still have some dielectric grease left at home. Gonna apply it and lube the chain tonight.

[IZ]

**insert pic of Monster rider riding in water up to the top of his tank. Seems like it was a yellow Monster on TOB?

[Kev M]

Besides electrics - the more you ride in water up to the axle height the more you have to worry about the bearings. If water gets into the sealed bearings you'll eventually trash them.

Obviously you SHOULD relube/wax your chain after riding in the rain, nevermind sumberging it.

Personally, I'd rather drive in the rain. I've ridden through tropical storms, but it's not a lot of fun.

[bob795]

Thanks Kev.
I do not lube the chain after riding in rain, that would mean every day... I lube it every 500km or so, that's during this rainy season. After this rainy season, it will be every 1000 km or so. But I do check the chain tension before every ride or every morning.

[Grampa]

Buy a quadski.

[Pedro-bot]

Buy a quadski.

or one of these.   

[He Man]

ive ridden half the tire without issues and repeatedly covered teh starter with out issues.

ive never covered the whole front wheel!! u just need to ensure water doesnt get into the airbox or in the crank case hole in the back. or through the airbox vent, if u get water on the injectors or anything, just hose it off at the end of the day, i think ud be okay once in a while, not long term.

standing rain water is more corrosive than fresh water due to the mineral content.

[Raux]

i would think that for emergency purposes, no excessive water in the intake would be the limit.
i'm sure everything is pretty much water resistant to some extent as it is on a motorcycle exposed to the elements.

look at video of the high water crossing of bush vehicles and you'll see the intake snorkel is key to high water limits.

[spolic]

Go through? Pishhh. Go over.