Hot bike dunked into cold water
Not much of a problem. The worst is cracked spark plugs and shattered cats. Oh, and the issue of water in the FD (not an issue with 1200s though). However I've never had any of these issues myself. I have had engine and sump full of water, oh and the topbox too.
If you're going to do a few fords you should expect to drop a bike in the water. Carrying tools and spare oil & filters is a wise idea, espacially if any of you are not acomplished off roaders.
If you join in on Fanums Ford rides you'll learn all about the do's and don't's
Rule of thumb is walk the ford first. You're going to get wet anyway so it might aswell be from the start. You will be able to judge the depth and see if there is anything in there that you don't want to ride over.
While you're doing this your bike is cooling down, which significantly reduces any thermal shock issues. The biggest one being water getting sucked into the FD on bikes with a breather.
If you stall the bike mid stream and there's the silghtest possibility that it's due to water getting in the air intake DON'T re start it. As Wizard said above, push it out and get to work with the tools. Don't forget to look in the oil level window. If it looks like cappaccino then you need to do something about that. Idealy change the oil and filter on the spot. Whatever you have too much liquid in the sump which will cause running problems (worse if you don't sort it there and then) and at least some of it need to come out. Don't forget to carry something to put the waste oil in to, remembering that there is now more in there than the normal amount.
Usually starts like this :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=-5X8em5DL4k&NR=1 DON't press the fekin button
Ends up like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNO6bZyVzOk
Have fun
Val.
