Replacing the air filter

[Jon.sb]

I've read a few comments about replacing the air filter with an aftermarket (K&N) filter.

One rationale for doing this was that the K&N unit was "washable". Are there any other benefits behind changing the air filter or should I not bother (I never have on past bikes).

[andymott]

From my limited experience K&N filters breathe better than OEM parts, allowing more air in. This will have a slight benefit to performance, maybe efficiency too, but whether it will be noticeable is another thing!

[Will]

Triumph uses high quality air filters, and my experience has been a K&N makes no difference. I had one on a TT600, and it was nice to be able to clean and reuse it, but it is just as practical to install a new OEM filter.

[Diderich]

In my experience with K&N drop in filters, their is no tangible performance gain.

Theoretically, with K&N pods, you are altering the intake length, which alters the torque curve, which could mean lots of things...it would have to be tuned by a well calibrated pair of pants, or a dyno.

I HAVE read in some extremely dusty dirty environements that the increased airflow is accompanied by increased fines passing to the engine, and therefore increased engine wear.

It does keep an extra couple of filters out of the land fill though...and they come with a neat orange sticker that is fun to put on things.

[Jamie]

Have used an under-the-seat K&N air filter on my Rocket III for months. Washability aside, it provides for more stable idling, better engine breathing at high rpm's (or my perception of same!), and a throatier intake sound.

Which, to me, in and by itsef, justifies the change!!!

Jamie