The Yamaha Road Star Warrior Forum

I took the warrior on a run to maine yesterday. We had a few sprinkles on the ride up and the bike ran awesome. On the ride back we encountered some steady but not heavy down pour. This is when the bike started backfiring, sputtering, surging and loosing power in 2nd gear. The only modifiction I think that may have contributed to this was the Churchkey K&N air filters.I did this mod back in '04 but had never ridden in the rain since then. I think my filters may have gotten soaked in the downpour even though they are under the tank and let water in. Have any of you guys with the big air/churchkey air kits encountered  this before during a rain storm? If so wht measures have you taken to prevent this from happening.

I got caught in a BAD storm yesterday. I mean bad.   cruizing along 60 mph then it starts raining, rains a little slow down a little bit to a bout 50mph, starts raining harder etcetc until all the traffic including me were going 25mph and getting sideways rain and hail. when I finally reached an overpass it was full with cars. I made it under but the girl that stopped a minute after me on an SV had to leave her bike in the rain.  anyway the bike ran fine.  when i got it home i let it run for a few minutes to kind of dry things out a little and then shut her down.  havent tried it today but it worked great yesterday

 PS.  I have a churchkey VBAK

I had that same set up and never had that issue, even thru HOURS of downpour on a trip i took a few years back.  rained so much it ruined my cell phone that was in my front inside coat pocket.  But, it sounds like water is probably what did it.  many companies that use K&N style filters that are exposed sell rain covers for them.  thin black cover that slips over the filter to keep water out.

Standard filters can be used in wet weather. However, extended riding in heavy rain could create the need for this raincoat. The raincoat's micron filter is water resistant.

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Would wet filters have the same effect on performance no matter what gear you're in, and since it was only happening in 2nd gear would some other thing maybe have caused this?  Just asking.

blaqkonan:

I took the warrior on a run to maine yesterday. We had a few sprinkles on the ride up and the bike ran awesome. On the ride back we encountered some steady but not heavy down pour. This is when the bike started backfiring, sputtering, surging and loosing power in 2nd gear. The only modifiction I think that may have contributed to this was the Churchkey K&N air filters.I did this mod back in '04 but had never ridden in the rain since then. I think my filters may have gotten soaked in the downpour even though they are under the tank and let water in. Have any of you guys with the big air/churchkey air kits encountered  this before during a rain storm? If so wht measures have you taken to prevent this from happening.

That's what my bike is doing as well, I posted earlier about it, but have not been able to figure it out yet.I have no BAK and no rain, it's kind of like it's not getting gas? real surgey in secound if your not rolling on the throttle.  Good luck I hope you figure it out and help me as well. If you do please post an update.

I get the same thing when I wash it but I have to really be spraying the motor alot creating alot of splashing. Mine will spit and sputter in every gear but only when youre lugging it. I guess I mean low rpm, low speed, lots of throttle. Once it dries for a while it wont do it any more. I think it acts like the coil or a plug wire is getting wet or has a knick in the wireing. I'm not worried about it. I will look at it this winter.  

 Its not the intake system that is causing your problems in the rain.

Suggest using clear silicone on the primary coil wires to insulate them & if you have removed the foam cover for the electrics under the seat suggest putting it back on the bike.

Also: If you used the supplied wire splice/crimp connector for the PC111 suggest covering it with silicone to seal out the moisture or solder the connection.

Budzo:

I've had the same sputtering when riding in heavy rain. I've chalked it up too water intaking my Churchkey Vbak. Purchasing one of those black "sock" covers for the front filter is on my list to have before my next road trip.

I have had similar experiences, except my bike will hesitate when I twist the throttle for passing or a quick pickup of speed. Using normal throttle the bike runs fine. This happened twice and both times were in a rain down pour. I figured it was the moisture getting on the filters. When the rain stopped an hour or so later the bike ran perfect no matter how twisted the throttle.

 whens the last time you cleaned and oiled your filters? maybe a little water did get in?

Damian:

whens the last time you cleaned and oiled your filters? maybe a little water did get in?

+1  was just gonna ask the same thing... You need to keep those filters clean, some people forget to wash them and oil them.

Dirty Filters and humidity = not good

Budzo:

Churchkey, I hope you didn't take my statement the wrong way. I wasn't laying blame to your design. My theory (and it may be wrong) is that heavy rain/water is not allowing enough air to flow thru the filter and is in a sense "choking" the motor. I will certainly give your suggestion on the primary coil wires and foam under the seat a try. My PCIII is already soldered up.

Did not take your statement the wrong way, just offering suggestions on how to eliminate a possible problem.

The V-BAK has been tested for years in south FL monsoons & standing water that has caused the forks to top out & send a wave over the headlight without the engine missing a beat. Pulling off a 2 lane is not an option, if you get in the wet sugar sand your going down.

Y'all need to ride in S FL when it rains in the summer, it will give you a new definition for "brass ****".

I too am having the same issue riding in the rain, plus some. 

While this does not sound like your issue, but I have a bad valve cover gasket.  After riding in the rain about a week ago, I experienced the same performance and I do not have the VBAK kit installed.  Now everytime I start the bike and let it warm up (3 - 5 minutes), the front cylinder starts smoking like a Harley. I've been told the engine sputtering maybe from riding in a bad downpour, instead of oil leaking, water was able to get into the engine. 

Do not know if my leg is being pulled or not, but bike is at the dealer getting fixed now.  I also may have a bad fuel system too.  Bike runs out of gas between 1 and 7 miles of riding with the low fuel light on (roughly 100-110 miles on a full tank).  They have not found that issue but a Yamaha tech stated the issue could be the feul pump could not be keeping the correct pressure and something electrical was made worst in the rain.

Good luck finding your Gremlin

 with all this sputtering....you guys sure there wasnt a Harley within a mile radius.....they have that effect