open element intake
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,471
Likes: 2,998
From: Charleston, SC
Yeah you'll be fine. In my case(s) the filter element got saturated with water and the engine just acts like it's not getting air, so it bogs down, hiccups, burps out the air cleaner, and won't accelerate. No Hydro lock or anything.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 57
From: N. IL
This is where I blame the girlfriend for being a puzzy......Hahaha!
But I tell everyone "im not a puzzy, I just look like one! Hahaha!
But I tell everyone "im not a puzzy, I just look like one! Hahaha!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 13
From: Fort Worth
I don't use one and weather doesn't stop me from riding. I've been in rains that could fill a pool in 5 minutes and never had an issue. I've been in stop and go traffic and the heavens open up without problems too.
I try to relate this to the HO 103 air cleaner covers and no lowers. My wife's RK didn't come with a sock and I would think that the "scoop" on the cleaner cover would ingest a lot more rain than my CVO SE open filter that did come.
I try to relate this to the HO 103 air cleaner covers and no lowers. My wife's RK didn't come with a sock and I would think that the "scoop" on the cleaner cover would ingest a lot more rain than my CVO SE open filter that did come.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
No sock, never had one never will.
Running a Big Sucker w/open element since '95 with zero rain issues. And I've ridden through some real heavy storms.
You won't have any problems.
Running a Big Sucker w/open element since '95 with zero rain issues. And I've ridden through some real heavy storms.
You won't have any problems.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 532
Likes: 10
From: Cottleville, Mo.
I run a Fuelmoto Stage 1 with an open filter with a face plate on the end. I have a Harley rain sock that fits over the filter element. We were caught in a downpour on the highway coming back from the Moonshine Store in Martinsville, Il. We road 80 miles in it. Without the sock the bike bogged down several times on the highway. We pulled over and put the rain sock on and had no problems after that.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 934
Likes: 54
From: SE Wisconsin
You guys that have ridden for long periods in heavy rains that bogged it down a little, without any other problems might not be looking in the right place.
Check your oil for signs of water. In those conditions, some steam will find it's way into the oil, turning it a little milky.
Check your oil for signs of water. In those conditions, some steam will find it's way into the oil, turning it a little milky.
