performance Vs. OEM

[tvchimp]

Looking at oil and air filters for my VFR...

Would it make much difference to spend more money on an performance air filter and oil filter (most likely K&N unless anyone can recommend any alternate brands+links if you can!)

I've found OEM replacements, but wondered if it would make any difference getting aftermarket replacements? I'm getting Iridium plugs and will be doing a whole service on the bike over the next month while I get the money together for my DAS..

Also, Sintered Pads - Can you notice the difference between those and 'standard' pads?... I was thinking sintered would be better just wondered if anyone could give me a definite YES/NO answer.

Oh... Last question (Promise!) ... Gel or Acid Battery.. Any difference in that? I've been told various things about both, but never noticed the difference..If anyone could clear that up, or say which is better I'd be grateful!



I'll head back into my Noob-Corner now..

[Ichy]

For the CBR I brought a K&N. It was the same cost as OEM and is reusable. The word performance is very overused. At best there is unlikely to be any noticeable difference at worse it will cause more problems than its worth.

Gel batteries tend to last longer and can be used in awkward positions.

[chris-red]

Sintered pads are much better, people say they wear the disc out more which is probably true but considering I know of 2 bikes that have been run with sintered pads from new and still have there original discs at 40k miles so it is not an extra cost you will notice.

I buy K&N air and oil filters not for performance but for ease of use.

K&N oil filters have a nut on there which makes them easier to take off and saves buggering around with a strap wrench.

The air filters last for 50,000 miles before they need a clean and are garantees for a million. The air filters I have bought have been roughly 30% more expensive than OEM the oil filters cost about the same.
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[tvchimp]

Ah...

Thanks for your answers guys.

Been doing a bit more searching, ordered a K&N Oil Filter for £10 from here

Brake pad wise, I'm torn between these and these Not sure which ones would benifit being that the sintered pads could damage the discs (althought will find out how true that could be) any advice on which are better?

The air filter, oh how I laughed when I saw the price for the K&N Filter.. £52! An OEM is £20 - Think I know what I will be buying

Anyone used a place called 'Griffin Batteries Centre' in Oldham? Was going to get a new battery and it's £31.75 (£21.80 before postage) - Halfrauds have got the same thing (albeit a Bosch battery) for £55! clickage for Griffin Batteries Link

[Ichy]

With batteries you pretty much get what you pay for. A Yuasa is probably as good as it gets acid wise and will cost around £45. Varta is good at around £35.

That said I've used cheap ones will no ill effect. If that's the way you want to go then Griffin batteries are selling the same one for just over £28 delivered on EBAY. Actually there is a guy selling The varta for £29. Just search for YTX12-BS.

[The Tot]

With batteries, buy cheap, buy twice. Premier makes are Yuasa and Oddesy but you'd be paying silly money for them... but THEY WILL provide you with the starting amperage in cold weather. I've got a GS battery in mine at the moment. Another good medium-priced brand is Varta. Make sure you've got the correct fitment for your bike. £30 + DEL seems like a reasonable price for the battery but I'd check for feedback from people. You don't want to get a battery, fit it, then fitan alarm + heated grips only to find out that you can't start the bike in the middle of summer (let alone winter!).

Padwise, go to your local honda dealer and ask how much their OEM pads are? They'll be cheaper than EBC and better. I'm led to believe that they are sintered nissin pads. If my 929 Blade's pads were anything to go by, they were good in the wet and didn't really fade. Unfortunately due to leaving my bike out in the cold and riding it too much in the winter, my discs warped. But still, there was that rock hard feeling at the lever that would always assure me the brakes would work when asked. Organic pad have more "feel" but don't really last as long as sintered, nor do they offer the long term performance of sintered.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[NSR Mick]

With oil filters I always buy genuine.

Air filters on bikes I'll always go OEM as although K&N filters are good rejetting may be required and Hondas R&D department is a bit bigger than K&N's.
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If you dont like the way that I ride.......Stop trying to keep up!!!

[stinkwheel]

I have been impressed with the Armstrong HH sintered pads I put on my VFR750. One major thing for me with sintered pads is they are unaffected by water.

I have a K&N air filter. It paid for itself the first time I washed it.

My VFR is 13 this year and is still on the original lead acid battery it came out of the factory with.

When you're doing the plugs (assuming you have a 750 with a front mounted radiator), just take the radiator off (pull the hoses over a bucket, unbolt and remove. Top up the coolant after). It's quicker, easier and you wont skin your knuckles.
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[tvchimp]

[tvchimp]

Ok, Got everything ordered apart from Bulbs and Pads.

- Yuasa battery on its way along with copper grease, new liquids.
- Iridium spark plugs x4 (£5.95 each from here)
- Air/Oil filters etc etc

I've found some pads - Front x 4(2 pairs) and Rear for £35.99 - here Can anyone shed some light on Gold fren and if they're any good/reliable etc?...

Also, with regards to Headlight bulbs, as far as I'm aware - looking and reading through my trust old Haynes manual, the VFR bulbs are H4 connector. Philips X-Treme Power are apparantly one of the best bulbs you can buy (please correct me if I'm wrong, only going off what I've been told!) ebay - £15 here . Has any got recommendations for bulbs or can they sing Philips praises more?.. I realise there are a few different types of bulbs Philips make so if they can offer advice would appreciate it.


Reading back... I sound like a proper amateur..

[Tarmacsurfer]

Just to add to the subject of batteries. I switched from lead/acid to gel a couple of years ago and wouldn't go back. It holds a standing charge far better, cold cranking amperage is somewhat higher and unlike the lead acids I was going through once a year, it doesn't die if the bike is stood a few months at a time.

Upshot is I spent £55 instead of the £30 I was usually spending and do not regret it in the slightest, paid for itself as of about 4 months ago. I'll certainly be using them in future.

@Stinkwheel; Interesting that you like the Armstrong pads, I've tried them on two bikes and can't stand them. How long have you been using them? I'm half tempted to give them another go to see if the compound has changed.
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I'm immortal. Well, so far.

[FURBAR]

Nahh, you sound like your preparing well and are excited for when you get to go on your bike, same here m8 ... have fun ..
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Fuk um !!

[Ichy]

[TheDonUK]

EBC = Ever Been Conned.

I am impressed with Ferodo brake pads...
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[tvchimp]

[everyreasonto]

https://www.skidmarx.co.uk/section/screens/screens_headlight_covers/intro.html

Make good screens and well priced.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Brake pads seem to vary greatly with how they work on different bikes. EBC HH pads work brilliantly in the RS125, but are only marginally better than stock on the 1200 Bandit and frightening on the Bimota. I tried some Armstrong pads in the Bandit (normal ones, not the HH sintered ones). I was pretty impressed with them. About as good as the normal pads on the Bandit and they lasted a hell of a long time (but when they were about 2/3 worn they became wooden and nasty, but at that stage they had already lasted twice as long as the EBC HH pads in there before hand).

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[TheDonUK]

Keith, a couple of months ago i took my bike into a place i was passing to get rear pads fitted, as a kind of urgent thing, i dident specify which so they just put normal EBC's on them,

I could not believe it when about a week or two later i was getting the telltale pulsing through the back lever that means you are basically metal on metal... I wont go near them again...
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Only things I have had that ate EBC pads are the first GPZ500 and the RS125, and they both ate any pads.

Never really had any worries about EBC pads as opposed to others.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing