[2001 ZTS]

Just to compare stories my motorcycle has four K&N cone filters (one for each carb). They are wide open to the elements (rain/snow/washing with garden hose) on a bike with no fairing to speak of.

Coming to think of it Focus engine=bike engine=transwerse in line four with exhaust forward and inatke aft????

Right after a wash I usually waited a while for them to "somewhat" dry but noticed boggyness but it goes away fast, couple blocks only. If rain started in the middle of a trip there was no real effect, even if I pulled over and grabbed a coffee for say 1/2 of steady rain.

There is always moisture in any air so water will always get to your internals. As for cloth filters (cone type) the volume of air that goes through will blow it out PDQ (pretty damn quick).

I may be off my nut as usual cause the bike is carburated and has a choke and all but I think what you were worried about was not damaging or risky especially since the ECU compensates for lots of unusual circumstances?