Washed bike now running poorly.

[ManMango]

I think I have a soggy plug...

I washed my bike quite 'well' yesterday and would love some input to confirm /explain measures to fix! I have read about sparks in my Haynes manual but couldn't find much on it getting wet.

So an hour after I hit the motorway and in 6th I had random power drop in and out a few times at about 7-8k revs with a second gap between. I dropped to 5th and it felt normal so I continued on.

When I got onto a national speed limit road I went through each gear taking the revs from low to high and power delivery seemed smooth all the way through yet still in 6th jerk jerk when I opened up.

*Bike stored on friends drive over night*

The next day 1st gear pulling away gave exactly the same thing and I quickly popped it into second so I could actually get moving past 20mph

Hit the motorway and I couldn't get above 70mph in 3rd 4th or 5th. No power dropping in and out but just nothing left even though I was only 1/3 open on the throttle. (at this point I just imagined myself pumping fuel through that wasn't being burnt) I didn't want to break anything so hit the slow lane and toodled in 3rd at about 60mph.

When I pulled off the engine started stalling as i pulled in the clutch coming to a stop. Was fine while engine was reving/engine breaking but as soon as clutch came in poof gone. I had to give some throttle to get it started again. It wouldn't turn like normal to an idle speed. When I had it going I had to keep revs manually above 2k to keep it running. I then noticed the FI light displaying each junction it stalled at before turning the engine over (this would go after turning on).

I rode straight to my local bike garage from the motorway (which was closed) but when I started up again to leave there is had fixed itself (idling 1400ish) BUT when riding i still notice the odd power drop/jerk in certain gears this time 3rd/4th etc at seemingly random speeds.

Is this a soggy spark plug? what can I do? I already have some new plugs waiting to be fitted should I just fit these new ones and everything goes away and I have a working bike again?

[Sid Squid]

It is of course possible that the plug cap/s is/are full of water, but if you have sprayed water all over it, then it could be anywhere and everywhere that water is causing trouble, and not just electrically - there could be water in the fuel too.
Assuming for a moment your initial thoughts are correct, pull the plug caps off (no need to remove the plugs) dry everything - compressed air is best for this - and reassemble, does this solve the problem?
Knowing what bike you have would help too.

[ManMango]

Sorry it's an sv650s k5.

Water in the fuel :o that's sounds extreme is that pretty much bike screwed if this is the case? I'm guessing avoid running the engine completely until it is sorted?

I will follow my manual instructions and get some compressed air in the right places. If the problem disappears so to speak on its own or through spraying some air about should I just forget and move on Or do you think it's best to have a professional take a look just in case?

Thanks so much for your time

[Sid Squid]

Water in the fuel will not precipitate the demise of your motorcycle. If fuel contamination should prove to be the case, then draining the tank and refilling with clean fuel will solve the problem - it may run a bit wonky until the fresh fuel has completely displaced the contaminated stuff, but if that should prove to be your trouble it will be an easy, if slightly messy, fix.
In your place I would pull the plug caps off, direct a nice drying stream of compressed air into the recesses and up the plug caps too, ensure there was no water in the HT lead connector of the cap (same fix) and run it, only then if it were not fixed would I look deeper.
My earlier comments still stand; if it's been given a proper dousing then there could be water anywhere - only you will know where a good hosing was administered, and thus only you can guide you to where the soggy bits may be.

[atassiedevil]

Cleaned out the drain holes in both cylinder heads yet? That would be my first port of call. Get some WD40 or GT85 or similar in there to displace the water and let it drain.

[BeMA]

I've had a similar issue following cleaning.
Open the fuel filler cap and check that the drain (small hole at the LHS of the main fuel filling hole) is attached to the drain pipe, which runs/can be seen inside the fuel tank.
On mine this pipe had snapped off at the very top and water was draining straight into the fuel tank, even with the fuel cap closed.