How To Do Motorcycle Water Crossings

Of course we didn't cover everything in this video, and some of you are sure to remind us! Still, the "7 Important Things to Consider" when doing motorcycle water crossings serve as a good basis for doing these successfully and safely.

★★Eric's Riding Gear ★★

Some of which he's worn for the last 10 years...Literally.

[chipm]

Excellent points. Thank you. I had not thought about letting hot engine & brakes cool off a little. 👍🏻

[baldandbiking]

Thanks for the tips. This is something I haven't attempted yet but maybe soon because I now have a new Adventure bike.

[ManBikeSwag]

Point 8 if you're crossing a creek or river in North Queensland Australia- Watch out for crocodiles ;-)

[RIDEAdventures]

Some important things to consider before, during, and after your fun!

[bobburns]

You give excellent advice if water gets into cylinder. But first drain airbox and remove air filter. Then pull spark plug and crank until no more water comes out. Then re-install plug and start bike. Once running dry air filter by placing over exhaust outlet to let hot exhaust dry filter. Then replace filter and go. If you have only a kickstart bike...after removing air filter and spark plug shift trans into highest gear and lay bike on its side. Then turn rear wheel by hand until no more water sprays from spark plug hole.

[dailyfunnytv]

should I use first gear for the water crossing?

[murrayclarke]

Great vid. Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a air intake cover that you could use for water crossing. Maybe locking the bottom and sides and forcing air only through the top.

[muskietime]

I have found that the more shallow the water, the higher the probability of slippery/slime coated rocks. Wonder if it’s better for a passenger to be on or off in a crossing? I prefer off due to the extra responsibility and concern regarding shifting weight.

[chrisvaughan]

Good video and presentation, I like your style. Unfortunately, this looks like a crossing that has been decommissioned and rehabbed for wildlife habitat or erosion control. Usually those barricading boulders and crisscrossed logs(1:42) are placed with intention by the managing agency / land owner specifically to detour vehicle crossings. Although I'm no big fan of the "tragedy of the commons" argument, I'll usually take the high road if I think it's going to give riders a bad rep. It's not a "can I" decision, it's a "should I, " the stakes of which are much higher when promoting on the web.

[outty]

Is it sometimes better to just walk beside the bike in the water instead of taking a chance of tipping over in the water?

[BavarianBiker]

.. now i just have to find a water crossing :)

[akguitar]

Jacket, pants, and even a neck brace, but no helmet?

[ppger]

I just bought the V-Strom 650 Adventure. Other than riding through a river, can wet road riding cause water to get into my air intake? Or is the front wheel fender good enough to keep water out?

[ronanrogers]

...if you have a twin spark cylinder, is it ok to remove just one plug in each cylinder to purge it of potential water ingress, or should you remove both plugs from both cylinders? (With my KTM I’d have to remove a 30 litre tank and the airbox, to remove one plug from each cylinder, and to remove the second plug from the front cylinder I’d need to relocate the radiator and overflow bottle...unfortunately it’s not as straight forward as with a boxer)

[markthompson]

Is there any guidance as it relates to the exhaust? Obviously it's ideal for the exhaust to be above the water but is it a showstopper if the water is above the exhaust? (The exhaust on my bike is pretty low. 2017 Versys 650)

[Rgross]

Great information and good video. Thanks. Good

[crazybeararms]

Another important one is soil composition clay is bad

[aclay]

I'll give you props for riding those heavy turds into water. Fuck picking that back up

[whoopazz]

Always stand during water crossings, you get much better traction.

[martinseel]

...and think about the speed while going through the water. Not to slow...not to fast. To slow...a small rock can stop you easily....to fast...the water can flush your boots of the footpegs, or the spray will get into your air-intake. Anyway, watercrossing is a big fun .-)