I doubt a bit of flood water will do permanent damage to the CVT and belt. It might even wash out the accumulated belt dust and do it good. It would soon dry out as well and water wouldn't cause slippage of the belt but maybe the clutch shoes a little until dry.

The reason I said that the inlet height was the only important thing, is that as water doesn't compress, more than a tiny amount entering the cylinder in the induction air, causes massive increase in compression pressure and can result in damage to the little end bearings, bend the con rods and ultimately bend the crank or at least damage the main journals. All totally ruining an engine. Other effects to transmission, electrics etc are easily fixed and not terminal.
A soggy air filter element wouldn't do a lot for your fuel consumption or performance either.

Ralph wrote: the CVT air intake on the later scoots is just behind the small grill under the front of the seat.

Have you checked that?
I think all the later ones are like mine and the intake goes into the tunnel area just over the fuel tank. Behind the vent is a strengthening bracket for the seat support and the hose from the plenum chamber.

It woud be a bad place for an inlet - when riding the little vent under the seat is in a negative pressure area. Looking at the bodywork I would say that:

a. It will stop hot air pooling in that area when the machine is stood still or after turning off the engine.

b. It is part of managing air flow through the body and reducing the pressure differentials. It could be something subtle or a major thing like blowing off the panels off (high pressure inside the body v. low pressure behind the fairing).

I've never wind-tunelled a Burgman but I do this kind of thing with other vehicles/aircraft designs that I work on and developed similar features so it is an educated guess


With the CVT I worry that the dust in there will turn into a paste rather than be washed out, slippy when wet, sticky as it dries and then gritty when it dries in all the wrong places - but I'm only guessing.

Yes Bluebottle, that's what I worry about. That would be a nasty after effect.

Just an update. At the weekend I cleaned the air induction filter for the transmission on my B400z. Unlike earlier Burgman 400's the filter is made of a soft fine foam. It would totally not like being in touch with any water at all and would probably be destroyed and sucked into the transmission where it would not doubt get stuck up in the various whirling machinery. So from now on, when I encounter any water deeper than a big puddle, I will dismount, and carry the bike through the water before resuming my journey....!!!

Thanks for the advice How dirty was that filter then?

It was farily dirty Barry at 2000 miles. Slightly over due of course. I washed it with washing up liquid, rinsed and dried it.

No you naughty boy - 1800 miles

How did my answer get above the question

Over due? Isnt it part of the 3500 mile service then?

Bluebottle, I am a very naughty person, you are right! Barry, yes it is part of the 4000 mile service. It's not critical to do it exactly every 1800 miles but judging from the state of my filter at 2000 miles, it won't go for much longer.

Weird -
I was replying to BarryG but my post appeared above his (?)
I deleted it and tried again and it still came up earlier in the thread