Hopefully I don't get flamed too bad. But looking at the design of the stock air cleaner, it seems like it is just asking for a good soak when it rains. The stock element is paper I assume, whereas a K&N or something similar is oil treated which would help to repel water to a certain extent. Should Harley be looking at some sort of a rain sock similar to the big breather, or am I over thinking this way too much? I try to avoid rain when I can, but we all know on long trips it's not so much if it rains, but when.

 

We had a little rain last week not a problum, but it was not a big down pour.

 

I had this same concern but if you look at the air box location it is placed more behind the fairing out of direct air flow. I rode to Florida a few weeks back and my bike was literally covered with lovebugs till I got there. I took the air box cover off and not one love bug had made it in and at times they were so bad it looked like it was snowing little black bugs. Even with the vent open it is still not in direct flow. In a downpour situation I suppose water could get in but it looks like it should be fine in normal rain conditions. I think the open design is to allow the free flow of air into the system not a ram induction like the Hypercharger.

 

I run a *completely* open AC on my 13.

I've been in *biblical* downpours. No sock. No issues.

 

Holly crap it looks like your rode into a paintball tournament

 

The only way it's going to ingest enough water to hurt the engine is if you go through several feet of standing water.

 

If rain were a problem with air filters, small aircraft would only fly on sunny days. If 100+ mph water doesn't kill the plane's engine, a HD should survive just fine.

I do prefer K&N-type filters to paper or oiled foam filter elements in both applications (they flow slightly better), especially if precip is present. I've had paper and foam clog up some in sleeting conditions, but not the K&N (as noted by a decrease in intake manifold pressure when clogged).

Another thought on the '14 air cleaners. They appear to use a smaller filter than previous, but in a larger housing possibly open to cooler air. The internal flow around the '14 element may be less restrictive, and cooler intake air makes for more power.