I don't have a rain sock but my buddy does. He has a Kuryakyn Alley Cat air cleaner cover which has a chrome metal mesh all around. He puts his rain sock right on the filter and puts the cover over it so the sock is on permanently. He did not do that to be safe in the rain, he did it because he hated the fact that the air filter color (red) showed through the meshing of the cover. With the sock on, it looks black. To each his own I guess...

 

Yeah never used one and no problems in rain and even the bike sitting out in the rain all day long while I'm in work. I did just twist the filter into a zigzag pattern though trying to put it back on. I'm looking for an alternative for a replacement filter now. The SE filter is $90

 

Been riding with an Arlen Ness open air filter for over 4 years, rain or not and never had any issues...

 

Guys......really appreciate all the feedback. I think everything will be fine.....