Washed and put away wet

[spinned]

I was out the other day and got caught in a rain storm.  I got mud and dirt everywhere.  It was too late to wash it so I washed it real good the next day and had to put it away before riding it.  I got it out about a week later, turned it on and let it warm up while I put my jacket on... got on the bike and put it into first. 

Although I had the clutch lever in, the bike took off with me on it.  She-it... I'm thinking how do I stop this thing!  Finially hit the kill switch.  I tried it again and it was fine.  I guess that while I put it away for a week, the clutch plates must have rusted to each other or the water had froze the plates together some how. 

Has that ever happened to any of you?

[Speeddog]

Not exactly, but close enough.

Yes, the 'steels' will rust, and basically get glued to the frictions.

Similar deal with iron rotors and the brake pads, much less exciting, but more aesthetically distressing as you see the 'footprint' of the pads on the rotor for a while.

[ScottRNelson]

Do you have an open clutch on your bike?

If you ever go through a similar experience, put the bike in first gear before starting it, pull in the clutch, and then roll the bike back and forth to be sure the clutch plates aren't stuck like that.  You will no longer have to worry about the bike taking off when you shift out of neutral if you'll take that small precaution.

Personally, I always start a bike after washing it, which eliminates problems like you experienced.

[ODrides]

Scary.  I have never heard of that!  From the tiny pic in his sig I can't tell if it's an 800 or a 1000, but it wouldn't make sense for a wet clutch to lock up.

[cmorgan47]

the dealer mentioned to me that the ATPC clutches can get sticky if they sit for a while. 
don't think spinned has one, but this was exactly the issue he described.

[mtnrider]

The plates on a wet clutch can stick also if it's been a while since riding. Nothing to worry about, start the bike in neutral or as Scott suggested, put it first and rock the bike till it releases. It will let go very quickly.

[mcgalinmd]

quick drying method - leaf blower.  You can get one for wicked cheap at walmart or home depot ($29.00 or cheaper) that you plug in.  Takes less than 5 minutes to blow 'em dry.   You'd be amazed at how much water comes out of the radiator fins and out of nooks and crannies of the bike.  And better yet, no water spots!   

[LA]

First off, this reminds me of what my old Ducati mentor (world famous Thomas A. Algood) said to me 36 years ago - NEVER put waster on an Italian motorcycle on purpose! 

What Scott said will help, but yes they will freeze/rust together and the bike will take you for a ride when put onto gear (with the clutch in). If you had iron brake rotors the whole thing is compounded buy the rotors freezing/rusting to the brake pads. This can be a real pain. Ass me how I know.

The lesson is obviously, don't put the bike away wet.

LA

[scoobydoo]

I don't mean to be a smart-ass, but when I read this:

She-it... I'm thinking how do I stop this thing! 

I immediately thought: brake?

[spinned]

Well my bike is the S2R1000 and I do have the open clutch.  It could be that the weep hole in the bottom of my Speedymoto clutch cover got clogged.  Who knows.  In either case, I think it is good advice to start you engine after you wash the bike to clear out any water.

I immediately thought: brake?

Well actually if this happens to you, the bike will take off while you have the brake on until the brake kills the engine or you can get to the kill switch.  Believe me, the S2R has plenty of torque so just having the front brake on will not immediately stop the bike... especially if you are pointed at your favorite car that is sitting 10 feet away.

[MendoDave]

<TJ> Those are some awesome looking pipes </end TJ>

[venomousr1993]

Similar thing happened last week.  Washed it after a 400 mile ride...put in garage.  Next day going through the neighborhood, it wouldn't upshift....then wouldn't downshift.  After about 1 min it was fine.  I'll def use my leaf blower to get the water out next time.

[LA]

Well actually if this happens to you, the bike will take off while you have the brake on until the brake kills the engine or you can get to the kill switch.  Believe me, the S2R has plenty of torque so just having the front brake on will not immediately stop the bike...

How do they do those burn outs with the bike just sitting there then?

Most vehicles want overcome their brakes from a dead stop.

LA

[spinned]

How do they do those burn outs with the bike just sitting there then?

They are usually not sitting on the bike or they throttle it hard enough to brake the traction of the tire.