K&N air filters

[deaninkl]

As I had to order another set of front brake pads from Nippy Normans, and to take advantage of the small packet fee to send overseas I oredered a couple of other small items that I'll need soon as well.

One was a K&N air filter, which at 30+ quid is 3 times the price of the BMW oem part, so have other people used these? are they better, alow better breathing and therefore noticeable gains?

 

[Schtum]

are they better, alow better breathing and therefore noticeable gains?

Their only advantage is that, in theory, you can clean them, re-oil them and use them forever, thereby saving a few quid. However, offset against this, is demonstrably poorer filtration which might compromise engine life and no discernible performance gain.

 

[seahorse]

I woudn't touch one with a barge pole. OE one has a 24k change interval and is a piece of piss to do anyway. Save your money.

 

[ihandyman247]

I use K&N filter in all my engines for the past 7 years and I am happy . I take them out in regular bases every 5K miles ,give them a good clean and put them back , it save a few ££ , every little helps

 

[deaninkl]

thanks gents... its on the way so will get used..current filter has been in for about 50k km (that's if BuMW changed as they should have..I now have my doubts..) so should be an improvement...

Now I have found motomartins and see most stuff is much cheaper than NN, but not sure about getting the stuff here. NN take only about 10 days to deliver, and importantly is musc cheaper than buying local.

 

[Pukmeister]

I use a K&N, fitted to both my 1200's since 2004, absolutely spotless inside the air box despite previously living in Sandy Western Australia where a stock air filter would get dirty quickly, I could clean my K&N as often as I liked same as my KTM oiled foam elements. Never spoke to anyone who has suffered poor filtration with them, although no doubt some self-professed experts will be along shortly point you to Internet sites proving they are crap.

When you factor in the cost of filter cleaner and filter oil spray, there probably isn't a saving to be made over the stock BMW pleated filter.

 

[Sandman]

I asked Jonno at Adventure Bike Warehouse about the K&N filter and his advice was to stick to the OEM filter as it has such a long life and performs well.

He said he would only consider a K&N if he was doing a lot of water crossings. The material of the OEM filter being succeptible to damage and reduced function when soaked with water.

I felt cheated when I took my GS in for a service and he hadn't replaced the air filter After he explained it to me it all made perfect sense