Opinions, K&N air filter

[Freedom45]

Comments sought about your experiences with K&N air filters on K11s. Bottom line, is it worth it for you?

[Jim]

The stock filter is more than sufficient for your K bike. It filters better than the K&N, and lasts a long time. It's a bit of a pain to change the filter, but not that bad once you get it figured out. My advice (since you asked for it) - stick with stock.

[RAL88]

I put one in mine and took it out after about 500-600 miles. On a car and where the filter is placed it stays relatively cool. On our bikes and where the filter is housed it gets way to hot and the oil drys out too quickly.

[Klinker]

.02:

Had one in my ST1100 - I think it helped with performance a bit, but for the reasons listed above and others (like research that suggests K&N filters don't remove enough damaging particles - help me out with a source here, Old Geezers), I'd stick with stock.

[Phil Marvin]

I used one many years ago on my first K1100LT. Then I read some of Tom Cutter's comments, especially the part about when he looks into the intake ports of bikes which use(d) K&N air filters and always finds a lot of dirt and crud (technical term) which he doesn't find on bikes with stock filters. I no longer use them and advise not using them and, if on your bike, replacing with a stock air filter. Even though BMW says to replace the stock filter at 12k miles, on the K75/100/1100 bikes, the stock filter is good for 50k+ (My OPINION, based on results of tests I have read).

[supercat1]

well mine came with a k&n. maybe i should have a look see at it.

[Scott_Anderson]

The only time I would waste on a K&N is to remove it and replace it with a stock one as well.

[Flying Duck]

But they have great marketing hype and you get a sticker!

[old guy old bike]

I took mine out this winter and replaced it with stock. It was apparent that it wasn't the cat's ass based on the crud in the bottom of the air box.
Jeff

[abreeze]

they did dino tests and found no benifet using the k&n..

[Freedom45]

OK OK as such,


For Sale: - two K&N stickers, $.05 each, New
- one used K&N filter, $5.00
used only 100,000 miles
- one used K&N filter cleaning/oiling kit $5.00

or, will trade for new OEM air filter.

Ah, the power of the forum!!

[Flying Duck]

I heard K&N is coming out with a deer whistle soon.

(I'm just having fun here. Freedom and I have been PMing and there's no bad blood between us.)

[robleyd]

I heard K&N is coming out with a deer whistle soon.

And I'll bet it won't use the standard K&N oil, but you'll have to buy a very deer alternative.

[Beachcomber]

I fitted one to my K100RS project - absolutely no problems.

Ahh, maybe a different type of K&N ! never the less, works well and is cheap / simple to replace.

I've got a whole new system planned for my k1100RS Race Rep project where the filter housing is buried in the nose intake of the Yam R6 fairing.

[img][img]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx155/vonheyda/Bikes/SONAVON003.jpg[/img][/img]

[Freedom45]

Beachcomber: thanks for the pic of that interesting K. I hope to see more.

I've decided to retain the OEM air filter based on posts here and recommendations from several BMW service personnel in our area. The SW, especially here in Phoenix and The Valley, has an ultrafine powderlike dust that seems to permeate the K&N but is filtered by the stock filter.

I've looked at torn down K bike engines, high mileage ones, at two shops and the Nicasil (sp?) crosshatch pattern is still evident on two of those engines using stock filters, whereas, on one that was using K&N it is significantly less.

May not be a scientific conclusion, but, enough visual evidence for me.

Thanks for posting your comments and experiences.

[blue95lt]

I feel if it can let more air in so can anything else
Stock has to be better tofilter out fine dust.
To the filters'capability.I'm.02centsw

[Phil Marvin]

Hi,
I think it was Don Eilenberger who did dyno testing with air filters on K-bikes. The runs were done with a new (stock) filter, NO filter, and a filter half blocked with plastic wrap. The dyno results were the same, showing that a filter (or lack of one) which can flow more air will not increase horsepower on the stock engine. I've also read where a well-respected mechanic (Tom Cutter comes to mind, but it may have been someone else) wrote that every time he looked into the intake tract of K&N equipped engines, there was a lot of fine dust/sand/abrasive particles which was not present with engines equipped with stock air filters.

I used a K&N for a while on my first K1100LT - maybe 20k miles. When I read of the dyno testing and the mechanic's comments, I removed the K&N and replaced it with a stock filter. What you do with your bike is your business; after all, it's your bike. My bikes have stock air filters on them and will continue to use the pleated paper air filters as long as I own them.

[m1ks]

I fitted one to my K100RS project - absolutely no problems.

Ahh, maybe a different type of K&N ! never the less, works well and is cheap / simple to replace.

I assume you mean from your comment and pic that your K&N is the pod on the intake tube?
In which case it's very different, but certainly way easier to change , i'd be wary of the feed tube connection if your running an empty airbox though, i've noticed on mine though it clips in and is bolted to the front tube it's not the tightest fit there.

[John Clauss]

Hi,
I've also read where a well-respected mechanic (Tom Cutter comes to mind, but it may have been someone else) wrote that every time he looked into the intake tract of K&N equipped engines, there was a lot of fine dust/sand/abrasive particles which was not present with engines equipped with stock air filters.

I know Tom quite well and I know his feelings about K&N filter. He hates them, with a passion. One of his favorite expressions about them is that it is a fine way to destroy a great engine.

[Beachcomber]

I fitted one to my K100RS project - absolutely no problems.

Ahh, maybe a different type of K&N ! never the less, works well and is cheap / simple to replace.

I assume you mean from your comment and pic that your K&N is the pod on the intake tube?
In which case it's very different, but certainly way easier to change , i'd be wary of the feed tube connection if your running an empty airbox though, i've noticed on mine though it clips in and is bolted to the front tube it's not the tightest fit there.

Exactly that. Seemed to make sense to me - and at £6.95 a pop [ or is that pod??!!] exceedingly cost effective.

The air box itself is sealed with silicone bath sealer !! As is the connection from air intake to air box.

Just out of curiousity I pulled it apart after a Summer's riding - absolutely no debris inside - as there was when I pulled it apart originally!

On my Race Rep project, the stock BMW air intake goes up inside the modified Yamaha R6 fairing and collects the air from the original Yam nose air intake via a larger version of the cone filter.

However, this one's based on a K1100 so I've also done away completely with the OEM air box and have a tubular collector plenum directly off the intake hoses - which dives off to the Yam nose intake.

[RJTrucker]

I just took the K&N filter out of y sons K100. It was bone dry adn had the old oil toasted to it. I replaced it with a used stock one I had on hand.