Bike has been in deep water or a flood

The bike has stood in flood water, fallen into water, or been ridden through water deeper than the hub or footboards. Electric motorcycles are tested to resist rain and splashes in normal use (UN Regulation 136 includes a water test), but not to be submerged. Water inside the battery, controller, motor or connectors can cause short circuits, insulation faults and corrosion. Salt water is worst. A battery may seem to work after flooding but still have hidden damage that leads to a fire later (Consumers' Federation of Australia).

Is it safe to ride?

Stop now. Do not switch on, charge, or plug or unplug a bike that has been submerged (Florida CFO). Do not take it indoors.

Quick checks first

• Smoke, hissing, heat or a chemical smell? Move away and call the fire service.
• How deep was the water: below the axle, up to the motor, up to the battery, over the seat?
• Fresh or salt water? How long?
• Is the battery removable?

Diagnose it step by step

1Is there smoke, hissing, heat or a chemical smell from the bike or battery?

• Yes: move away, keep people away, call the fire service. Do not try to put out a battery fire. Florida fire officials report that flooded EVs can reignite after a fire is put out.
• No: go to step 2.

2. Did water reach the battery, its connectors or the controller? (Check the waterline: mud marks on the frame, seat, footboard.)

• Yes, or you are not sure: treat the battery as damaged: Handle a damaged battery pack. Remove a swap battery only if it comes out easily, and place it outdoors on bare ground or concrete away from anything that burns. Report it to the operator. Go to step 4.
• No, only the lower wheel was wet: go to step 3.

3Water only reached the lower part of the wheel, and the bike was ridden through briefly?

• Let the bike dry outdoors. Before riding, check for warnings when you switch on. If there are none, ride gently, and test the brakes: wet brakes are weak. Watch for judder, cut-outs or warnings over the next days; if any appear, go to step 4. Water inside a hub motor can cause rust and sensor faults later.

4. Call the dealer, fleet or swap operator support line. Tell them the depth, time and type of water. Ask for recovery. Do not ride or charge it.

5. Workshop: full assessment: Check a bike after water exposure, including isolation (Make an electric motorcycle safe to work on) and insulation tests (Check high-voltage insulation).

What happens if you charge a flooded battery: charging can start a fire, sometimes hours or days later (Florida CFO).

Causes, most likely first