Intake rain sock?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 1,968
From: Lake of the Ozarks
If you're worried about it, cut the foot out of one of your wife/GF's stocking or hose and throw it in the tool bag for emergencies. I carried a rain sock for a year or two but never needed it. I keep mine cleaned and oiled and don't have any trouble. If my air cleaner gets water logged it's probably time to pull over and pour the water out of my boots anyway. lol
When I put the SE round air cleaner on my bike they threw the rain sock in for free. I just put in on and left in on. Not a lot of cover here in North Dakota to hide from the rain.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
Better safe than sorry. But you could see what happens without it.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 800
Likes: 407
From: Middle Tennessee
I have the HD ventilator and keep my rain sock in the bag that holds my rain gear.
If I am in light rain or just running thru a shower I usually just ride it out and let the wind dry me after the wet has passed.
If it's wet enough to put on rain gear then the sock needs to go on too. So far I haven't had to use it in two years with an open breather.
My previous Harley had an open breather but I ran a football cover over that. I ran in all day rain and never had an issue.
If I am in light rain or just running thru a shower I usually just ride it out and let the wind dry me after the wet has passed.
If it's wet enough to put on rain gear then the sock needs to go on too. So far I haven't had to use it in two years with an open breather.
My previous Harley had an open breather but I ran a football cover over that. I ran in all day rain and never had an issue.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 414
From: Ellensburg, WA
I don't go out in the rain in my socks. I do use the rain sock on my CVO filter, the washable media is cotton. It's not a matter of water getting in the engine, but more the cotton holding water and preventing air flow. Lots of fuel+little air=don't run so good.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35,795
Likes: 38,537
From: Post Falls, ID
Small amounts of water in the intake won't hurt a thing. Water injection actually improves performance. Atmosphere has water in it.. remember humidity? Even dry winter air is humid.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 321
Likes: 38
From: Kansas City
I never have much of a probelm in the rain,mainly because I dont get normally get caught for long periods. But parked outside in a two inch rain,guess how much water goes in the intake? I figure about 5 inches of exposed filter surface on top. I think at least an inch of water will get to the intake.
