Risks running pod filters in wet weather?

[eldevigo]

I'm currently working on rebuilding the carb rack for my '83 1100, and I'm wondering about pod filters.
One of its previous owners installed pods, which appear to be Emgos, and at least one is dried out and cracked around the boot.

I figured I should replace them now while I'm trying to get everything else in the intake side cleaned up and properly sealed. I was going to just buy a new set of filters (I hear Emgos are not reliable, so I was looking at other options) but before I do I want to find out if there are any risks running pod filters in rainy weather? I'm a year-round rider, I don't own a car and live in a rainy area.

They're in the usual place, but given the width of the 4-cyl engine block and that this is the un-faired GS1100E(Z?) and that I tend to leave my bikes outdoors year round, I think it's unrealistic to expect that the pods for cyls 1 and 4 won't get a little wet.

Is this something I should be worried about? Will water cause them long-term damage? Will it significantly impact the rideability of the bike in the short term?
I'm wondering if I shouldn't think about converting back to a stock airbox while I have the carbs out. I'm planning to do an exhaust swap anyway, so as I understand it I may already be looking at needing to rejet, might as well get everything out of the way if it's going to be a risk for me.

 

[zed1015]

I've been running the same K&N pods on my daily rider/main transport ( don't own a car either ) for 25 years in all weathers and never had an issue in the rain.

 

[Rob S.]

Harley has "socks" that they sell for their pods.

If you have an '83 chain driven 1100, it's an 11ED. My '82 (11EZ) has APE pods. Half the cost of K&N, just as good looking. I would only trust those two brands.

I religiously avoid all inclement weather, so the few times I got caught in a drizzle, I wasn't concerned about that. Keep them properly oiled. I suppose it couldn't harm to splash a bit of that oil on the boot area. Please say you provide some kind of shelter from the storm, as Zimmie says.

 

[eldevigo]

I unfortunately have no shelter. I've been thinking about getting a carport or something to cover my parking area.
Until this year the only bike I've had to worry about is a 2014 vstrom, which has taken the rain for years without any real complaints (just some rusty bolt heads on the handlebar clamp).
Is the GS going to be more sensitive about the weather?

 

[Baatfam]

Like Zed above, I've been running pods on my 1100E for near 20 years without issue.
Rode through many storms, and it's also sat outside during many rainstorms' on long trips.
No issues.

 

[rphillips]

Just thinking I've seen a lot of folks using the pods over the yrs., but don't remember anybody mentioning of weather problems. I would assume it's not a thing or I'd probably heard of it.

 

[deven5498]

Harley has "socks" that they sell for their pods.

If you have an '83 chain driven 1100, it's an 11ED. My '82 (11EZ) has APE pods. Half the cost of K&N, just as good looking. I would only trust those two brands.

I religiously avoid all inclement weather, so the few times I got caught in a drizzle, I wasn't concerned about that. Keep them properly oiled. I suppose it couldn't harm to splash a bit of that oil on the boot area. Please say you provide some kind of shelter from the storm, as Zimmie says.

Are these the APE pods?
https://www.pingelonline.com/carburetion/005-121-ape-super-pro-air-filters-34mm-up.asp

thanks!

 

[Mary Hinge]

Water Injection enables you to run more timing, happy days, well, until there's no water that is layful:

 

[Rob S.]

Are these the APE pods?
https://www.pingelonline.com/carburetion/005-121-ape-super-pro-air-filters-34mm-up.asp

thanks!

Sure seems to be.

 

[rphillips]

More timing with water injection, my Turbo had water injection so I could run more boost.

 

[gustovh]

I live in Oregon and until recently rode in all weather. I have pods on two of the three bikes that I ride. I found rain was not an issue, it just added to smother running bikes. More power in cold weather with denser air. Put them on, jet properly and ride the snot out of it. Enjoy

V

 

[Spiff]

I haven't ridden my bike in the rain but many years ago when my mum rode around on it they toured all around in all kinds of weather and the bike never faulted...
However if you have oiled fiters like k&n the oil is eventually gonna get washed away faster on the outer filters since the tank isn't protecting it.
If your're worried about water, buy a small plastic flower pot, cut it in half and attach to filter like a little rain hat It's a common mod on the 300ZX when people put a open filter on it to stop water ingress and also turbulent air messing the maf sensor reading

 

[bwringer]

I can recall one instance, a rally when we rode during an absolutely epic downpour, where some of the folks with pod filters were having some issues. The outer two cylinders would drown out a bit at lower RPMs, but a quick rev generally cleared things out.

In anything but a monsoon that you frankly probably shouldn't be riding in, you'll never notice an issue.

 

[deven5498]

Sure seems to be.

Thanks, was a little surprised to see them on the pingel site, and couldn't find much for an official APE store front.

 

[Rob S.]

Thanks, was a little surprised to see them on the pingel site, and couldn't find much for an official APE store front.

They look just as nice as K&N, and the group mind says they function just as well as them. When I bought them 10 years ago for my 11EZ, they were half the cost of K&N, so it was a no brainer. I think I paid $65 for the set of four.

 

[eldevigo]

Thanks for the advice y'all! It sounds like I shouldn't worry about it too much.

I ended up buying a set of those APE filters, i'll keep an eye on the outer ones to see if they're looking a little dry by next spring.