K&N air filters

[yambabe]

Any good or bad experiences with them to tell me about?

I'm looking to replace my current plastic/rubber airbox with a set of 4 universal K&Ns, partly to look better, partly to see if it will improve performance as alleged and partly cos the previous owner turned the airbox I have into a jigsaw puzzle which would need to be reassembled in a very tight space.

I have been warned that in heavy rain they may allow water into my carbs but I'm not sure if this is true or not. As I try to avoid riding in rain unless I absolutely have to, this may not be a major problem anyway.
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[WavyGravy]

I dont know what bike youre fitting them on, i have fitted them on an old cb650z and whereas it defintely made it easier to rev highewr up the revband it also made it fluffy at lower revs, like it took a while to react to throttle. It also makes a significant change to the sound of the bike close up, if you worry at unfamiliar sounds you wont like these!

Ive come to the conclusion that whereas K&N's definitely add something for track bikes they dont do a lot for everyday bikes, just my opinion, manufacturers spend a fortune on getting their bikes to optimum performance, designing the airbox is an integral part of this, if a 'universal' set of airfilters work great on a bike then its more a case of luck than design. just my 2p worth am sure someone out there has fitted them to a moped and got better mpg, and blown away a fireblade on a drag strip ... hey-ho!
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[mr.z]

They are good BUT pipercross filters clean the air better, so considering also its going to be outside the airbox then i'd go for one of them myself...

Because of the increaced air flow it really will need to be dynoed+rejeted (unless theres a kit?) or it will probably run like a bag'o shite* once set up propperly it might make a bit of an improvement but will most likely sound better

*A mate ended up selling his k&n filter because it made his bike run like crap, burbleing and backfireing, back to stock and it was 100% fine, even with a nigh on straight through can...
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[Flip]

The K&N website recommends not rejetting the bike just for the air filter.

[Visitor Q]

I put one in and got it dynojetted.

Didnt notice any noise or performance gains to be honest
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[sickpup]

[craigs23]

I've been told that the only real 'performance advantage' you get over aftermarket filters is the fact that they're washable - meaning, unlike OE, you don't have to replace them each time.

Is this true?

[RI_HA]

I think the whole things round air filters and cones are a waste of time. also a great marketing gimmick, and aimed mostly at max power corsa!

"Stick one of these on your corsa, little ned and you will get an extra 15bhp"

"well mintit mate"


Doubt they would make any significant improvement for a bike either than its easier to clean.

[Type_Mo]

K&N's let in alot of crap ive been told. Go for a Foam Filter. Summin like a Ram Air
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[Black Knight]

I wouldn't bother. Took one out of my last bike and replaced it with an OE.

With regard to cost, yes you supposedly never have to replace them....but you do need to remove clean and oil them. The cleaning products aren't cheap and it does take more time than simply putting a new paper filter in.

I've also heard although they increase airflow they let a lot of dirt into the engine too.

I'd stick with what you've got.
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[tsmith]

I tried one on my GPZ500 and I noticied the engine oil got dirtier far quicker than with a standard air filter. MPG suffered as well. I went back to a standard one after a few weeks.