K & N Air filters, any point?

Uncle-Fester · Jan 1, 2016

Looking to keep the bikes for a good long while, so was looking at these from Motorworks,

So are they worth the investment, do they give better performance/filtration

What oil do you use on them and why?

They are about three times the cost of a paper filter.

Schtum · Jan 1, 2016

I wouldn't bother. There's a fair bit of testing published on the web. Most of it is consistent with this - http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html

Uncle-Fester · Jan 1, 2016

Schtum said:
I wouldn't bother. There's a fair bit of testing published on the web. Most of it is consistent with this - http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html

Thanks, Paper it is then :thumb2

mrjim130 · Jan 1, 2016

+ 1 for paper, it just works better. ( Obviously I am expressing my personal view) others may disagree.

(RIP) trickytree · Jan 1, 2016

I've always had them on my Harley and tbh there a pain in the arse....cleaning and re oiling, it's like going back to chains and sprockets. Not read the link above but I never noticed any performance increase at all. I'll be replacing the 1150's filter with a paper one this winter that's for sure.

jimbo · Jan 1, 2016

when I was tuning my mini in the 80s these were the thing to have. the world has moved on a bit since then, and I wouldn't bother.

stuart kerr · Jan 1, 2016

Mine was fitted with one when I purchases it some 3 1/2 years ago. Ive stuck with it as i find it easy to clean and oil with the kit. Im running a standard cat and exhaust system, I cant comment on performance as I dont know any different. I cant say Ive had any problems, my view is they do pretty much the same job.

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younger06 · Jan 1, 2016

I find that it gives more of a throaty induction growl (which I like)

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MIKE R · Jan 1, 2016

K & N fitted 48K go.

No problems so far

Mike

g.s.john · Jan 1, 2016

Had one for years fairly easy to clean but when the cleaning stuff and the oil runs out i'll go back to a paper filter the technology must have moved on by now.

Hay Ewe · Jan 2, 2016

I think from what I have read, studied and seen, that this is another great marketing campaign out of the USA.
I have not heard much good about them from MANY sources.
They may breath better, allow a high mass airflow - problem with that is - the holes are bigger!
Bigger holes allow more dust or larger dust particle through.

Yes, they are being oil but that is a PITA. I used to run Unifilter (Australian) on my 1150GS and they were ok, but the hassle of cleaning, degreasing and the re-oiling again out weighed. I had three filters and so would spend an afternoon doing all three.

The foam do have an advantage where it is likely to be wet - creek crossings and the risk of drowning but these days I just use the paper filters from BMW.
If I was going to do some more big trips out west again, then I would get some of the unifilters and pre-prepare them, but till then, nah, the stock paper are just fine.

Blackal · Jan 2, 2016

Hay Ewe said:
I think from what I have read, studied and seen
They may breath better, allow a high mass airflow - problem with that is - the holes are bigger!
Bigger holes allow more dust or larger dust particle through.
.

Paper filters and oil-coated mesh filters work on a totally-different principle - your "studies" surely identified that?

Al

Robh1664 · Jan 2, 2016

My 1100gs came with a very dirty K&N fitted. I bought £12.00 worth of K&N oil/cleaner from eblag. I found cleaning, drying and re-oiling very therapeutic. And as I gave up booze 3 years ago, I need as much therapy as I can get, so I shall stick with mine..............for now anyway.

JohnnyBoxer · Jan 2, 2016

Timolgra refitted his BMW paper filter before his trip to Russia, Mobgolia & the Gobi desert, ditching an oiled foam or K&N
He just took a spare oem filter
He told me it was fine

g.s.john · Jan 2, 2016

Schtum said:
I wouldn't bother. There's a fair bit of testing published on the web. Most of it is consistent with this - http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html

Interesting that the AC Delco filter came on top or very close in most of the tests, either they are very good or AC Delco paid for the test

MIKE R · Jan 2, 2016

Out of interest, does anyone know who makes the OE BMW air filter?

Anyone had any experiences with Hiflow filters? They are resonably priced and claim to equal or pass OE filters standards

Mike

cookie · Jan 2, 2016

MIKE R said:
Out of interest, does anyone know who makes the OE BMW air filter?

probably Mann.

Ash · Jan 2, 2016

MIKE R said:
Out of interest, does anyone know who makes the OE BMW air filter?

Anyone had any experiences with Hiflow filters? They are resonably priced and claim to equal or pass OE filters standards

Mike

MAHLE LX 578

Demongroover · Jan 2, 2016

I use a K&N filter, not for any performance gain, but because I can clean it and reuse it for free. It's convenient and cheap in the long run, and as I am keeping my Beemer for the long haul, like Uncle Fester, it works out cheaper than paper filters.

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Robh1664 · Jan 2, 2016

I've used the hiflow oil filters in all my KTM dirt bikes over the years. No problems with them. And my Vauxhall van is running with pollen/oil & air filters by the same company.

Go for it Dave.

K & N Air filters, any point?

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