Please, stop putting K&N filters in your bikes

rick

rick

Well-known member
Heh, I always figured that of course the OEM filter was best. The K&N was just reusable so, it was more budget friendly if you were a high mileage rider. :)
 
Erbuck

Erbuck

Power Lurker
I buy 'em for the stickers. Those and the monster energy stickers make my machine look bad assed.

Putting the filter on requires tools. Too tricky for me.
 
Moto Beck

Moto Beck

The Longest Title Allowed
is it the reusable aspect of the filter and no one cleaning it that's the problem? I just bought one and can't return it - so if i put it in for X miles and then replaced with OEM - still a dumb idea?
 
GPzPop

GPzPop

Ask me about my B-1-D
what is this “clean / change your filter” business?

your not a real rider until you need to use the shop vac to clean out your airbox
 
dravnx

dravnx

Well-known member
How much does anyone really save by using K&N filters? In the grand scheme of things, it's a couple of cups of coffee.
 
JesasaurusRex

JesasaurusRex

Deleted User
dravnx said:
How much does anyone really save by using K&N filters? In the grand scheme of things, it's a couple of cups of coffee.
Click to expand...

honestly i'd like to see back to back dyno runs on a factory ANYTHING, from just an air filter swap. I bet the gains are close to nil.

Nobody buys a KN for the $ savings. Sure you MIGHT save on the filters if enough time/miles go by but the charging and cleaning oils aren't super cheap. I doubt there's any real world cost savings either.

They're pretty much a gimic for anyone who doesn't have a heavily modified vehicle.
 
kuksul08

kuksul08

Suh Dude
Yeah, cleaning K&N filters can make them last longer, but even when new they aren't worth using. The only filters you should clean are the oiled foam ones commonly found in dirtbikes.

Those of you with street bikes, check out rock auto for filters. Cross reference the manufacturer's part number. I found some there for a fraction of the cost, even less than amazon. You could probably buy 3-4 for the price of one K&N. Change it out every 10-15k miles of normal use, and it's gonna last you a long time.
 
Johndicezx9

Johndicezx9

Rolls with it...
I still like the K&N Filter Cleaner, it's great for degreasing chains and gunk, and gentle on the other stuff.
 
EastBayDave

EastBayDave

- Kawasaki Fanatic -
BMC makes some nice air filters too. Made a "feelable" difference in HP on the ZX12R w/no other changes....
 
ratsblast

ratsblast

Well-known member
Good to know, the Hardley has a k&n on it of unknown provenance. Just cleaned and reoiled it before I took the bike apart. Dont recall it being particularly dirty behind the filter.
 
LakeMerrit

LakeMerrit

*Merritt
Meh I run stock paper on the bikes, but have a K&N filter and warm air intake on my car. Way better turbo whooshy sounds from the diverter valve, definite power loss around town from the warm air intake (but who cares, the turbo whooshy sounds are better than horsepower anyways)
 
Reli

Reli

Well-known member
When I first started riding I had a guy try to sell me a Ninja 250 that he claimed had been bored out to 290 or 300 or something. :laughing Went to take a look, and this idiot wasn't running any filter at all. Claimed it wasn't really necessary, but that he could "put it back on if I really wanted it". This, for a guy who lived in east county san diego which is basically a desert.
 
LakeMerrit

LakeMerrit

*Merritt
Reli said:
When I first started riding I had a guy try to sell me a Ninja 250 that he claimed had been bored out to 290 or 300 or something. :laughing Went to take a look, and this idiot wasn't running any filter at all. Claimed it wasn't really necessary, but that he could "put it back on if I really wanted it". This, for a guy who lived in east county san diego which is basically a desert.
Click to expand...

Par for the course in El Cabron Cajon
 
N

NeverSayDie

Well-known member
The paper OEM filter is expensive in the long term but filters better, the K&N is cheaper in the long run but doesn't really filter anything.

Is there a happy medium between the two?
 
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