K&N Air Filters
Discussion
Condi said:
Can someone explain to me what these do that a bog standard (OEM) filter doesn't do, and why, if they're so much better, something equivalent isn't fitted as standard? There is (as far as I know) no patented technology or special materials used in what is a paper filter.
K&N filters are oiled, so are different to typical OEM.As to whether they work, I couldn't say. Going back 20 -30 years, they definitely flowed better than car OEM when dirty - OEM Paper flows drop as they get clogged. So they were a good choice for off road.
The world may have changed in the last 30 years of course
Edited by OverSteery on Wednesday 13th January 21:26
The only thing they improve and even that is debatable is induction noise.
They don’t give any more power and they don’t filter better than a high spec paper filter.
They do last for ever and can be cleaned and reoiled relatively cheaply. ATF is fine to use and costs way less than K&N branded oil.
They don’t give any more power and they don’t filter better than a high spec paper filter.
They do last for ever and can be cleaned and reoiled relatively cheaply. ATF is fine to use and costs way less than K&N branded oil.
trickywoo said:
The only thing they improve and even that is debatable is induction noise.
They don’t give any more power and they don’t filter better than a high spec paper filter.
They do last for ever and can be cleaned and reoiled relatively cheaply. ATF is fine to use and costs way less than K&N branded oil.
They can flow more air than a stock filter but the differences are negligible these days..They don’t give any more power and they don’t filter better than a high spec paper filter.
They do last for ever and can be cleaned and reoiled relatively cheaply. ATF is fine to use and costs way less than K&N branded oil.
For the hassle of cleaning them and reoiling them I would prefer to just stick with paper.
Cost-wise they used to be about four times the price of a pattern filter, I'm not sure how they work out now.
I agree with what has been said but looked at it the other way around. They are definitely no worse than EOM paper filters and possibly slightly better. As I (pre-COVID) do a lot of miles I was going to need a lot of new paper filters so bought a high-flow (DNA for the H2 SX and K&N for the BMWs ) filter as overall it would be substantially cheaper. Fitting a high-flow filter also resulted in a small but measurable improvement in mpg.
I used then on a couple of cars. I needed to clean the MAF every time I serviced them, presumably due to oil from the filter contaminating them (or maybe lack of filtration??).
Just change the paper filter more often than recommended if it bothers you. I can't imagine it would make much difference on a moderately powerful bike.
Just change the paper filter more often than recommended if it bothers you. I can't imagine it would make much difference on a moderately powerful bike.
Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 14th January 09:23
I'd be very surprised if they didn't restrict airflow compared to standard filters in all but the cheapest and s
ttest manufacturers attempts personally.
I accept it's anecdotal but, in my experience the K&N filter oil gums up with all sorts of st incredibly quickly compared to paper, and when you "refurb" the filter, you never get all the detritis out either.
Whilst I've no doubt they're better than some restrictive filters, and great for custom builds, I don't believe for a second any of the big bike companies R&D departments have not yet seen the benefits of higher quality disposable filters.
I'd never fit one to a higher performing engine personally. I don't believe Honda/Suzuki etc. haven't caught on to the importance of air filtration.
ttest manufacturers attempts personally.I accept it's anecdotal but, in my experience the K&N filter oil gums up with all sorts of s
t incredibly quickly compared to paper, and when you "refurb" the filter, you never get all the detritis out either.Whilst I've no doubt they're better than some restrictive filters, and great for custom builds, I don't believe for a second any of the big bike companies R&D departments have not yet seen the benefits of higher quality disposable filters.
I'd never fit one to a higher performing engine personally. I don't believe Honda/Suzuki etc. haven't caught on to the importance of air filtration.
Condi said:
Can someone explain to me what these do that a bog standard (OEM) filter doesn't do, and why, if they're so much better, something equivalent isn't fitted as standard? There is (as far as I know) no patented technology or special materials used in what is a paper filter.
My understanding (from using them on cars 15+ years ago) was that they allowed more air to flow through and because they were cleanable they could perform more consistently with regular cleaning. I've long since given up modding cars though and looking at the facts now, the break even point of running K&N vs paper is a long way down the line and if it does let more air through, does that mean it's actually filtering less?The cone filters may be a different proposition, although have their own issues with heatsoak etc.
Chris
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