K&N Air Filter???????

[ken750f]

Does the K&N air filter really make any difference??? Any re-map needed?? I like to change my air filters more often then mfg recommended (just as with oil/filter), but was wondering if switching to the K&N is really worth it.

Any thoughts on this...........?????

[Captain_Rat]

Ken,

I've read mixed reviews. These days I read that the manufacturers of traditional filters really have made advances to the point where the K&N's are not really outperforming them as much as they did.

I have also read that to increase the airflow K&N's are so porous that they let more particles and grit through and can actually damage your engine. I have one on my car and have noticed more dirt sitting on the wrong side of the filter.

I've decided that the increase in power that the K&N could give isn't worht the switch, but like most things I'm sure others will disagree.

Capt.

[ken750f]

Thanks Capt................Anyone else have any comments on this - want to purchase a new filter today but still debating.

[crudmop]

I've read arguments on both sides of this fence, most of which can get rather ugly.

My favorites are the comments by people who "noticed" the 1hp increase they got - man, that's one sensitive ass-dyno. Some people claim incredible gains. Others complain of dirt and gunk in the airbox inside the filter. Others complain of loss of power.

In the end, I've seen mechanics for both cars and bikes post about a large level of dirt making it thru the filter. At this point, I'll go ahead and forego the possible 1 or 2hp increase and use the EOM filter - and play better safe than sorry.



[ This message was edited by: crudmop on 2005-08-18 11:22 ]

The cost of triumph air filter in Canada is about $70 bucks. Buying the a K & N filter costs the same. Since you can reuse the K & N filter you can see how in the long run you can save money.

However, I haven't checked the filter yet to see if there is debris on engine side of the filter and I don't know fully understand the impact and the associated cost with having dust and grit inside the engine.

[ken750f]

crudmop,

Thanks for the post. I was not as much looking for that incredible 1 hp gain (which i am sure i would feel....... :razz: ) as I am long term maintenance gains since the K&N can be cleaned and re-used and doesn't void the mfg warranty. Those comments about dirt getting through are making me real hesitant though!!!

revolve,

That was my thinking as well, although i am not sure how much a stock filter is here in the states. But as i stated above i was thinking long term maintenance.

Appreciate your comments!!!!

[ This message was edited by: ken750f on 2005-08-18 11:29 ]

[GoodJava]

I've heard similar criticism against K&N on automotive sites that I frequent. From what I have gathered the claimed hp/mpg gains are bogus but the increased dirt passage is not.

[ken750f]

How about dirt passage on a motorcycle?????? I am sure the air induction is not as great in a motorcycle than it is in a car. But then again that is an assumption on my part. But all I have heard or read so far is that there are questions about K&N' s filtering with respects to automobiles. What about actual/test results on motorcycles??? I have used K&N filters on past motorcycles i have owned and found them to work relatively well as well as ease maintenance.

Any more comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I LOVE THIS FORUM................

[crudmop]

Ken,

That 1hp was not directed at you, I hope you didn't take it that way. I had done some reading around to find out the "truths" about K&N filters, and was left still wondering what those truths are

[ken750f]

crudmop,

No problem, i didn't take it in any way other than someone's opinion which is what I was looking for. I understood what you meant and appreciate your comments just as i do everyone else's on this forum.

Knowledge is power...........and you and all the others on this forum is where I get most of my knowledge about my favorite bike I have ever owned.

Express yourself freely as that is what makes this place such a great source of information.................. . Someitmes there are those that let their feelings and emotions override their responses to the point of bashing one another...........but hey at least for me I take those with a grain of salt and ignore them (well as much as I can anyways - it's hard sometimes not to weigh in when someone is just being stupid).

Anywyas, I didn't take your comment in that way at all and like I said I appreciate your responses............Keep em comin........... :hammer: