Driving through a flood. How deep?

JonJ678

JonJ678

JonJ678

Soldato
Joined
22 Dec 2008
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I think the air intake is the most vulnerable bit. Any crude rules of thumb? Is a wheel height of water likely to hurt it? Can a 125 cope with deeper water than a hatchback?

I need to get to Cornwall in the next few days and it's quite wet. Cheers :)
 
The plan there is to watch someone else try the water first, and as a last resort, wade out to see how far up my legs it goes. Your advice is sound though
 
Buy a Landrover :D

This was me this afternoon :D

Snapshot_zps0cd3b5e1.jpg
 
JonJ678 said:
I think the air intake is the most vulnerable bit. Any crude rules of thumb? Is a wheel height of water likely to hurt it? Can a 125 cope with deeper water than a hatchback?

I need to get to Cornwall in the next few days and it's quite wet. Cheers :)
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The air intake is usually under the tank, one of the highest points on the bike? If water gets in the air intake, you've got more problems on your hands.

Bikes are usually ok in water due to high intake and exhaust. Wouldn't fancy it myself though.
 
be careful on the brakes for a few mins, I found out what happens when you give a fist full of brakes after washing the bike
 
You're forgetting the splash that you'll cause though, even at slow speeds you'll get a good wave in front on you that will stop you seeing much and also splash up under the tank.
Thats not taking into account the force of any flowing water on the bike, or how much power you'll need to get the bike through it.

The DR is ok in water up to about knee height, even then if you hit it too quick it'll stall, I've also had a good taste of puddle water from the splash.

In short, I'd stay out of it on a road bike and be cautious on an off road bike.

And dont bin it!

:D
 
Scythe said:
The air intake is usually under the tank, one of the highest points on the bike? If water gets in the air intake, you've got more problems on your hands.
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Depends entirely on the bike. V twins and many inline 4 bikes have the intake under the tank, but plenty have it lower down under the seat area. I wouldn't want to get the water above the level of the crankcases for safety.
 
I'll go easy on the brakes, cheers. Accelerating when it threatens to stall has worked so far, don't fancy pushing it out of the water if it stalls.

I've made it as far as Bristol, so only 180 miles to go. So far I've gone in a little over the foot pegs and discovered my boots aren't quite waterproof enough for that. Going well :)
 
It all depends on the Bike.

On some I've been through floods with water over the gearbox, but other bikes have died on wet roads (crap HT system position)
 
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