Open AC and rain
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
I've been caught in everything from thundering monsoons to steady pouring rain with my open filters and don't recall ever suffering a single misfire. I thought of getting a rain sock when I put the first open filter on but have just never needed one. Suit yourself, though.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 7
From: tomball tx
The real question is does the open assemblies really give better performance than an enclosed unit that can breathe in the same air flow?
In my eye I think they look "incomplete" with an exposed element. The open ones remind me of the days of flipping the lid on the air cleaner on my Camero thinking that "sucking sound" was "performance".
I don't really know for sure ... do you?
In my eye I think they look "incomplete" with an exposed element. The open ones remind me of the days of flipping the lid on the air cleaner on my Camero thinking that "sucking sound" was "performance".
I don't really know for sure ... do you?
I ride in the rain regularly in western Washington. I've never had any running problems with an open filter, not once. I've got an open filter in a box in my garage somwhere, and it's never been on the bike.
If your car ran like **** if you opened up the air cleaner, or even took the top clean off, it was due to some other problem.
If your car ran like **** if you opened up the air cleaner, or even took the top clean off, it was due to some other problem.
Last edited by Mike; Jan 13, 2011 at 11:24 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
I've got open air cleaners on both bikes, and never used a rain sock for riding or washing. I've had exactly one issue with sputtering, and that was in a storm so heavy that it was like riding in a swimming pool. Seriously, it was so bad that the power at the house was out for 3 days.
Don't worry about running an open air cleaner.
Don't worry about running an open air cleaner.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
Do you use a filter oil to waterproof them?
I'd think if it was an untreated paper element it would sop up water.
Good to hear so many convincing votes for "no problem" except driving through monsoons.
I have to admit the talk about rain makes me think a lot about my ability to hold up 'Ole 86'er in a hard rain. Unless it's life or death I think I'll steer clear of hard rain situations and keep her out of swimming pools.
And my little 280 something in-line 6 '74 Camaro screamed with the air filter lid flipped ... LOL Tried to talk a cop out of an 85 in a 50 in Carthage, Mississippi when I was 16 by telling him it's ONLY a 6 banger.
I'd think if it was an untreated paper element it would sop up water.
Good to hear so many convincing votes for "no problem" except driving through monsoons.
I have to admit the talk about rain makes me think a lot about my ability to hold up 'Ole 86'er in a hard rain. Unless it's life or death I think I'll steer clear of hard rain situations and keep her out of swimming pools.
And my little 280 something in-line 6 '74 Camaro screamed with the air filter lid flipped ... LOL Tried to talk a cop out of an 85 in a 50 in Carthage, Mississippi when I was 16 by telling him it's ONLY a 6 banger.
Last edited by JohnnyC; Jan 13, 2011 at 11:50 PM. Reason: miss iss i pp i
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: PacNW; Beacon of Conservatism in a Sea of Liberals.......AZ Snowbird; Just another Conservative
Caught in heavy rain coming back from May road trip. I was on my Wide, with Heavy Breather and no sock. I could maintain 65, but if I tried accelerating, would sputter like hell. I'll pack the sock on the next trip.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 957
Likes: 1
From: New York / Texas
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 975
Likes: 8
From: Houston
Same here, easy on the throttle, no problem...Ripping it sucks water and starts to sputter.