Topic: Do you run the rain sock or not? (Read 10481 times)

SBB · « **on:** June 11, 2012, 11:30:38 AM »

I was looking at pictures of the breather on members bikes on this site.
Some breathers have the rain sock on them and some don't.
I have never run it on the 11.5 SEUC or on the 12 SERG but keep them in the saddlebag waiting on that hard rain.
I have run the 11.5 SEUC in light rain without the rain sock and it was fine. (or so it seemed)
How many use the rain sock? How many leave it on all the time?
I think it looks better off than on, what do you think?

SBB

DESERTBEAR54 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 11, 2012, 11:33:53 AM »

Let it Breath!!!! I even got caught many times in downpours and Kasper never missed a beat with the rain sock off. I did pull filter and clean it and re-oil it. Sock looks cool but that is about it!!

LovemyCVOgirl · « **Reply #2 on:** June 11, 2012, 11:36:17 AM »

I don't like the look of it on but I do carry it in my saddlebag. I suppose on a trip if I see heavy dark clouds ahead, I'll pull over and put the darn thing on. $:-\$

dayne66 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 11, 2012, 11:37:33 AM »

I think an oiled filter may have a bit more 'resistance' to water than the dry filter on the '12. I just have the sock handy for any torrential downpours.

Wild Card · « **Reply #4 on:** June 11, 2012, 12:01:55 PM »

I put it on when I wash the bike...that's about it.

dayne66 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 11, 2012, 12:04:19 PM »

Quote from: Wild Card on June 11, 2012, 12:01:55 PM

I put it on when I wash the bike...that's about it.

Good call...didn't think of that one!...but makes perfect sense.

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #6 on:** June 11, 2012, 12:07:10 PM »

I've never used mine, Chip, and I got in some hellarain both on the way up to Ribfest and on the way back home. I was running interstate when it was raining so hard, but the motor never complained about water on the filter. And it rained HARD for a good 35 miles both times. I'm still running the stock paper filter until it wears out.

Maybe it's more of an issue if you are going slow or are in traffic during a downpour...

I keep mine wadded up in the lower glove box just in case.

D-N-D · « **Reply #7 on:** June 11, 2012, 12:10:48 PM »

No Sock here never had a problem without it in the rain.

ultrafxr · « **Reply #8 on:** June 11, 2012, 12:26:05 PM »

Never used it but my dealer (Tim Bumpus) was riding his SERGU last year to a dealer meeting and got caught in a downpour. He said the filter got so wet that the motor bogged down. So it can happen under the 'right' conditions. But if it's raining that hard I'll probably pull over and wait it out for a while.

smkymtnboy · « **Reply #9 on:** June 11, 2012, 12:50:14 PM »

i do not run the sock. BUT my bike is so fast it can outrun the rain!!

SBB · « **Reply #10 on:** June 11, 2012, 12:59:59 PM »

Quote from: smkymtnboy on June 11, 2012, 12:50:14 PM

i do not run the sock. BUT my bike is so fast it can outrun the rain!!

That's true.
But don't tell Judy.
She doesn't realize how fast those "Blues" are.
(even with the rain sock on)

SBB

Heatwave · « **Reply #11 on:** June 11, 2012, 01:32:23 PM »

I have the SE ventilator on a 2010 SEUC. I got caught in a wicked downpour on the highway and the bike actually stalled at speed and I had to glide to the side of the road without power. The engine wouldn't restart. I didn't have the rain sock on. So even though the "horses were out of the barn", I installed the rain sock on the breather. It struggled to start but after 5-6 attempts I was able to get it relit. It was still a downpour but with the rainsock on, I was finally able to get back on the road and headed home.

Do yourself a favor...if you're likely to get caught in a downpour, put the rainsock on. Losing power at speed on the highway is not a fun experience.

ice6900 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 11, 2012, 01:37:44 PM »

I must be the odd one out here, I have had a SOCK-ON all the time from new. I didnt care for the Pink colored air cleaner, although now after 4 years the Pink has Greyed somewhat, I still keep the sock on. I have replaced the sock during the last winter as the original was looking a bit shabby.

JCZ · « **Reply #13 on:** June 11, 2012, 01:52:22 PM »

Quote from: LovemyCVOgirl on June 11, 2012, 11:36:17 AM

I don't like the look of it on but I do carry it in my saddlebag. I suppose on a trip if I see heavy dark clouds ahead, I'll pull over and put the darn thing on. $:-\$

I carry it in my bike "just in case" also. But the latest trip......hours of snow and ice, and hours of driving rain on our final day.......I get home and start unloading everything and see it in the bottom. Oh yea, forgot to use it.

Bike never missed a beat but my back sure did.

grc · « **Reply #14 on:** June 11, 2012, 02:07:12 PM »

Besides the obvious advantage of avoiding the stranded by a sudden downpour situation, there is a secondary advantage to running the sock all the time. It will act as a prefilter so the big stuff won't get to the real air filter. This will extend the service interval and the service life of the air filter. You might want to buy a spare sock so you can rotate them. Look on the K&N site, they may have one that will fit in other colors to suit your mood or to coordinate with your bike or your wardrobe.

Chip could get the blue for instance, and the guys with the really fast bikes could get the red.
http://www.knfilters.com/search/wrap.aspx

Jerry

T-Hawk · « **Reply #15 on:** June 11, 2012, 02:28:23 PM »

While this question was posted similarly somewhere else in this forum... I followed the advice of one of the suggestions mentioned in that thread.

While I didn't seem to have any issues running in a light rain without the sock... I was getting real tired of going out to the parking lot to put the sock on while being caught in an unexpected shower.

The suggestion I followed is this... for those running with the Ventilator A/C... pull the chrome, put the sock directly on the filter, and replace the chrome cover.

Rain sock full-time, Shiny Chrome full-time.

And the sock lets all the air in, just as it is designed.

djkak · « **Reply #16 on:** June 11, 2012, 02:53:42 PM »

I always run my machine with the sock and I am surprised at how much dirt comes out of it when it is washed during each service; keeps all of the bugs out too.

FWIW, I did manage to run in some rain that came down hard enough to slow the engine to the point where it wouldn’t take any throttle and I had to pull over.

mark · « **Reply #17 on:** June 11, 2012, 02:59:39 PM »

I keep the sock in my saddlebag just in case it starts to rain. Got caught in an all-day "side-ways" rain on the interstate and had the rain sock on. The engine bogged down a couple of times anyway. It never stalled, but I could only guess some water was making its way into the air intake. I like the idea of putting the sock on under the chrome.

Alesius · « **Reply #18 on:** June 11, 2012, 04:29:32 PM »

I usually don't use the sock except when cleaning the bike.
Last night I returned from the Swiss500miles (500 miles in 24h across Switzerland). We had more than 12 hours heavy rain and even snow in the mountains (in June!). I remembered to put on the sock before we started. I didn't have any problems with the bike, and I don't know if the sock made any difference. But I noticed that the sock was full of dirt (from the outside), as was the rest of the bike. Don't think this is good for the air filter...

LovemyCVOgirl · « **Reply #19 on:** June 11, 2012, 04:45:41 PM »

Quote from: SBB on June 11, 2012, 12:59:59 PM

That's true.
But don't tell Judy.
She doesn't realize how fast those "Blues" are.
(even with the rain sock on)

SBB

Now, I was told those were called condom's and only the BLUE bikes require them

LovemyCVOgirl · « **Reply #20 on:** June 11, 2012, 04:51:04 PM »

Quote from: grc on June 11, 2012, 02:07:12 PM

Besides the obvious advantage of avoiding the stranded by a sudden downpour situation, there is a secondary advantage to running the sock all the time. It will act as a prefilter so the big stuff won't get to the real air filter. This will extend the service interval and the service life of the air filter. You might want to buy a spare sock so you can rotate them. Look on the K&N site, they may have one that will fit in other colors to suit your mood or to coordinate with your bike or your wardrobe. Chip could get the blue for instance, and the guys with the really fast bikes could get the red.
http://www.knfilters.com/search/wrap.aspx

Jerry

I agree

They only made the sock for the slower BLUE bikes! (like Chip's)

BUCKNUT GREG · « **Reply #21 on:** June 11, 2012, 04:57:56 PM »

I would only put my sock on for a SAFE ride

But I haven't used it yet

SBB · « **Reply #22 on:** June 11, 2012, 05:26:46 PM »

Quote from: LovemyCVOgirl on June 11, 2012, 04:51:04 PM

I agree They only made the sock for the slower BLUE bikes! (like Chip's)

Really

Only on blue bikes?

Wonder who owns this condom clad red bike?

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=67716.0

So to get back on topic, the answer is "YES" the red bike pictured below does run a rain sock.

SBB

grc · « **Reply #23 on:** June 11, 2012, 05:34:28 PM »

btw, I always wear socks and boots when I ride. Much more comfortable that way.

Jerry

The Mysterious Q! · « **Reply #24 on:** June 11, 2012, 05:43:21 PM »

I have the Wimmer velocity stack with the pointed cone exposed filter. A. I dont own a sock that fits my air cleaner and I have been caught in huge rain and only once it bogged a bit at slow speed.

SBB · « **Reply #25 on:** June 11, 2012, 05:53:26 PM »

Quote from: The Mysterious Q! on June 11, 2012, 05:43:21 PM

I have the Wimmer velocity stack with the pointed cone exposed filter. A. I dont own a sock that fits my air cleaner and I have been caught in huge rain and only once it bogged a bit at slow speed.

Q, what a beautiful bike!
Will we see it this year in Maggie Valley?
Hint, hint.

SBB

LovemyCVOgirl · « **Reply #26 on:** June 11, 2012, 06:06:09 PM »

Quote from: SBB on June 11, 2012, 05:26:46 PM

Really
Only on blue bikes?

Wonder who owns this condom clad red bike?

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=67716.0

So to get back on topic, the answer is "YES" the red bike pictured below does run a rain sock.

SBB

OMG

Who put that condom on my baby

. It must have came home from the dealer sporting that sock $:-\$ . I swear Chip you really do your homework

. I guess I've been busted

Now let's keep this a secret

StevesCVO · « **Reply #27 on:** June 11, 2012, 09:17:56 PM »

I keep mine in the saddlebag just in case of heavy rain. No idea if it really does any good but the bike has never missed a beat. Rode lots of times in light rain without it.

110tHunDer · « **Reply #28 on:** June 11, 2012, 09:21:55 PM »

Sounds like when you put your rainsuit on, you need to put your sock on, too.

OBB · « **Reply #29 on:** June 11, 2012, 09:26:04 PM »

Mine's in the glove box in the right lower. I use it when I wash the bike.

One of these days I'll have to slow this slate/black bike down a little so I can see which is the fastest between the red and blue bikes.

Should have had Debi take a pix of you girls behind us the other day. I'd have proof to back that statement up.

LovemyCVOgirl · « **Reply #30 on:** June 11, 2012, 09:53:16 PM »

Quote from: Ohiobellboy on June 11, 2012, 09:26:04 PM

Mine's in the glove box in the right lower. I use it when I wash the bike.

One of these days I'll have to slow this slate/black bike down a little so I can see which is the fastest between the red and blue bikes.

Should have had Debi take a pix of you girls behind us the other day. I'd have proof to back that statement up.

Mike I was moving to fast ~ the picture would have been blurred

grayghost731 · « **Reply #31 on:** June 11, 2012, 10:02:11 PM »

I do not use the sock

No problems Then again I dont ride in rain like most I will go a 100mph to the nearest bar with a overhang

SBB · « **Reply #32 on:** June 11, 2012, 10:04:07 PM »

Quote from: 110tHunDer on June 11, 2012, 09:21:55 PM

Sounds like when you put your rainsuit on, you need to put your sock on, too.

X 2

SBB

Boxman88 · « **Reply #33 on:** June 11, 2012, 10:15:54 PM »

Rode the interstate to Daytona and got wet. Forgot to put the sock on and didn't have a problem. Good luck.

OBB · « **Reply #34 on:** June 11, 2012, 10:38:00 PM »

Quote from: LovemyCVOgirl on June 11, 2012, 09:53:16 PM

Mike I was moving to fast ~ the picture would have been blurred

but but but,,,,,,you were still behind me.

Screamin · « **Reply #35 on:** June 11, 2012, 10:43:40 PM »

No. But sometimes yes.

LovemyCVOgirl · « **Reply #36 on:** June 12, 2012, 11:18:50 PM »

Quote from: Ohiobellboy on June 11, 2012, 10:38:00 PM

but but but,,,,,,you were still behind me.

That was an illusion in your rear view mirror

The Mysterious Q! · « **Reply #37 on:** June 14, 2012, 06:15:53 PM »

Quote from: SBB on June 11, 2012, 05:53:26 PM

Q, what a beautiful bike!
Will we see it this year in Maggie Valley?
Hint, hint.

SBB

One never knows where I may show up.

bigdave110 · « **Reply #38 on:** June 14, 2012, 07:01:07 PM »

I keep it with me and put it on every time it rains.
It may be a bit of over kill, but I would rather be safe then sorry, and it only takes seconds to put on.
That's my 2 cents Chip.

Dave

Supershooter · « **Reply #39 on:** June 14, 2012, 09:58:07 PM »

We traveled around Lake Superior a few summers ago on my 03 Wide Glide, we ran in rain for 175 miles one of the days, what a miserable day. I have a stage one kit in that bike with a K&N filter and stock cover, while we were riding that day it rained hard enough that my bike was cutting out due to water in the intake. Because of that experience, I leave my sock on over my heavy breather, I don't like the idea of water getting into the motor all that well.
Supershooter

hawgzilla · « **Reply #40 on:** June 14, 2012, 10:51:00 PM »

One thing no one has mentioned-----there is virtually NO penalty in performance when the sock is installed. It may not be quite as pretty with it on, but it doesn't affect performance.

98fxstc · « **Reply #41 on:** June 14, 2012, 11:33:34 PM »

Has anyone done a dyno with sock on , sock off.
I would think there may some change and I would think AFR would change due to some restriction of intake.

I have mine off most of the time but put it on if it looks like rain and certainly don't take any chances in a dry windy/dusty environment .

hawgzilla · « **Reply #42 on:** June 15, 2012, 07:39:55 AM »

As I said, there is virtually no penalty in performance. And I have tested many on the dyno. AFR is not affected because there is basically no change to airflow.

FLHTCUSE7 · « **Reply #43 on:** June 15, 2012, 08:37:28 AM »

Rode through a band of thunderstorms yesterday, some hail as well, I put the sock on!

crackers · « **Reply #44 on:** June 15, 2012, 09:59:40 AM »

Have not been caught in heavy rain with this bike yet but have been caught in heavy dust storm and the sock went on right away. Got home and washed it out and it was really bad so this is the main reason I carry it......Kansas is flat, open and many times windy and seems I have to go through it to get where I want to go to often.

LC110 · « **Reply #45 on:** June 15, 2012, 10:33:48 AM »

I just leave mine on it keeps the bugs and the dandelion fuzz from collecting on the filter.

rheiner · « **Reply #46 on:** June 15, 2012, 01:11:21 PM »

I don't want to be sucking water to mix with air and gas so if it's rainign for any length of time I put it on.

Author Topic: Do you run the rain sock or not? (Read 10481 times)

mark

FLHTCUSE7