Riding in sand storm !
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 28
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From: kuwait
Riding in sand storm !
so on my last ride we get hit by bad weather on the road between Kuwait and Iraq, it was stormy and all the fine sands were hitting me and the big so bad that i even got sand inside my full face helmet, my eyes.. just everywhere!!
we decided to keep riding and after about 100km the weather got better and there was no problem riding back .. the whole ride was about 350km..
so my question is and i have to say am not an expert .. do i have to clean the air filter or open anything in the bike and clean it ??
do i have to change the oil or do any kind of maintenance to my baby before my next ride ?
thanks in advance
we decided to keep riding and after about 100km the weather got better and there was no problem riding back .. the whole ride was about 350km..
so my question is and i have to say am not an expert .. do i have to clean the air filter or open anything in the bike and clean it ??
do i have to change the oil or do any kind of maintenance to my baby before my next ride ?
thanks in advance
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 114
Likes: 1
From: South Korea right now
I know how bad sandstorms get there.
It wouldn't hurt to take the filter out and check it.
Depending on how long its been since you changed it, you might as well change it while you have it off.
As far as the oil, that should not be an issue.
It wouldn't hurt to take the filter out and check it.
Depending on how long its been since you changed it, you might as well change it while you have it off.
As far as the oil, that should not be an issue.
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
..might want to check your wheel bearings, belt and sprockets too.
maybe even pull back and blow out your levers (switches) as well.
A good top-to-bottom wouldn't hurt, and I'd try to get as much of it off as possible before it sees it's next wash.
If there's enough build-up in places, water will just turn it into mud and then you'll never get rid of it.
I imagine that sand can get into a lot of places where it's not wanted...
maybe even pull back and blow out your levers (switches) as well.
A good top-to-bottom wouldn't hurt, and I'd try to get as much of it off as possible before it sees it's next wash.
If there's enough build-up in places, water will just turn it into mud and then you'll never get rid of it.
I imagine that sand can get into a lot of places where it's not wanted...
Last edited by jam436; Apr 13, 2014 at 10:05 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
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From: Badlands of ND
Never been in a sand storm, but we get plenty of dust storms here. Same thing, the dirt gets everywhere. I would imagine that the damage sand can do is even worse. The intake needs to come apart and cleaned. The filter probably replaced, especially if it is just a stock paper one. Take the seat off and anything else and vacuum and wash out everything. That grit can get in there and wear down the wires and sometime down the line you will get a short that will be the Devil to find,
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Now I'm wondering what the wiring channel under the tank looks like...
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 970
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From: Philippines
Hozz,
The same thing happened to me in Kuwait a few years back. Got overtaken by a sand storm while on the 6th ring road. It was one of those Black Out Storms and I had to pull off the road and wait 20 minutes before visibility cleared enough to ride again. Give the bike a good cleaning. Pull the Air Filter and clean or replace it. If your mileage is close to an oil change, pull the plug. Other than that, just keep riding.
The same thing happened to me in Kuwait a few years back. Got overtaken by a sand storm while on the 6th ring road. It was one of those Black Out Storms and I had to pull off the road and wait 20 minutes before visibility cleared enough to ride again. Give the bike a good cleaning. Pull the Air Filter and clean or replace it. If your mileage is close to an oil change, pull the plug. Other than that, just keep riding.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,122
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From: Florida
Just loved those damn sandstorms. No matter how many times we washed our equipment you always found sand everywhere. I would clean entire bike top to bottom. Get a washable K&N if you don't already have one. You will need it.
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 28
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From: kuwait
thank you all guys for your advice.. yes i have a stock air filter i dont know if it is a paper one or not ? .. but now i know i need to change that into something washable and chargeable like K&N .. any recommendations for a deluxe ?!