Hope this is in the right forum. I've got a hanker'n to switch from the k&n filter I'm currently using to a paper filter for better filtration. I know there will be a small decrease in air flow but doubt it will noticeably effect the bikes performance. Besides k&n, what filters are ya'll using. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.
K&N vs any other air filter
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Just curious why you think you need better filtration? When kept oiled and maintained properly KnN filters are fine for street use. If you ride on dusty dirt/gravel roads a lot i can see maybe a change.
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[email protected]: I use them in every car I've ever had, buy it once never have to replace them, manufacturer suggests cleaning every 50k, I do it every 30k, great performance no mater what you drive, and save a ton of money in the long run.
K&N filters are good filters. Paper filters are better filters. The only thing a K&N offers is better air flow and a reusable filter good for the life of most vehicles. No matter how well you clean and oil a K&N it simply allows more particulate matter into the engine than a good paper element. I'm looking for a paper element with good flow and good filtration. Maybe I'm chasing something that doesn't really matter in the long run. K&N admits that their filters are roughly 99% as good as paper elements when it comes to filtration. Who knows how much or if any meaningful damage will come from that 1% diminished filtration over time. Too anal? Maybe.
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Too anal? You said it. There are millions of bikes out there running aftermarket (K&N) type filters without a problem. If you want a paper type filter you will need to go with a stock filter. You'll probably need to get your bike retuned too since the stock filter is much more restrictive.
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The SE AC use to come with a K&N filter but not anymore. I've read the new SE filter is high flow but not as good as the K&N - no first hand knowledge though.
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I run K&Ns in all my vehicles also. My last truck, a 318 Dodge, had 285,000 on it when I wrecked it and the engine was perfect, never had a problem. I also changed the oil every 5 to 7 thousand miles. Most people who regrugitate "conventional wisdom" have never taken off an oil pan and checked a set of main bearings with their own fingers, of personally set the end gap on a new set of rings. Parts is parts. Run em till they break, fix and repeat. You can buy plenty of parts for a whole lot less than the cost of a 400 to 500 dollar a month truck payment.
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I've always used K&N's as well, just haven't used em in the two HD's I've had. I did use them in other motorcycles I've owned.
Gotta say this is the first I've heard of any negatives about them.
Interersting. Still leaning towards putting one in, based on good experiences I've had with em.
Gotta say this is the first I've heard of any negatives about them.
Interersting. Still leaning towards putting one in, based on good experiences I've had with em.
My 04 roadking came with the stage 1 upgrade when new. Of course, that included the K&N filter which I have used for the past 8 years. I recently took my Kawasaki sport bike in for servicing. That lead to tlaking about air filters and they're service people were adamantly against the use of the K&Ns. Said they let too much junk into the engines and that lead me to question having one in the roadking. If I can fing a paper filter with flow characteristics very close to the K&N I'll probably switch out. If it requires re-jetting the carb and going back on the dyno, probably not.
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I would have to call BS on the hp loss. Did he run the tests on the same day back to back? Dynos are notorious for producing different results even running the same equipment. People often over-oil a filter after cleaning as well. This can affect air flow.
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yes. I asked him twice. I swear on your life it's the truth!:hystria:
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H&N filter verse paper ones
I have both over the years. I have a K&N filter on my last few bikes. I like the it because I can keep the same one. You can reuse it. But the disavanged of it is if you drive on gravel or dusty conditions you have to clean it more it. No diffrent than a paper one.
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