k&n are they worth it?

[fazersharp]

The filter in the photograph is age and petrol fumes discoloured making it look worse than it actually is, therefore having little effect on the running. A bad filter will only effect the running at 10 to 13000 revs and then get progressively worse lower down the rev range as the filter continues to get dirtier. 
If you do not regularly use the bike above 10000 revs then the difference in the filter you had and a new one would not be really noticeable.

However what you would notice with the K&N is a slightly better throttle response throughout the rev range and a little less vibration. If you do not notice these changes then you most likely do not rev much above its 7000 power band

Now I am convinced

[bigbluebear]

The other alternative is a Pipercross.....Mike fitted these for the Ivanising of us Scottish Foccers so they must be as good as the K&N but a bit cheaper.

[darrsi]

The other alternative is a Pipercross.....Mike fitted these for the Ivanising of us Scottish Foccers so they must be as good as the K&N but a bit cheaper.

£2 cheaper, but the K&N nabs the vote for the first 50,000 mile cleaning interval. 

[tony_d123]

K&N's flow more air how? The surface area of the pleats is no better than a paper filter so obviously the material flows more air i.e. they have bigger holes. There was an article in Classic Mechanics last year on air filters and they shone a bright light through a K&N and a paper filter. There were very noticeable visible light holes in the K&N, if you can see them then dust and grit can get through.


So its a trade off between possible slightly better performance (dependent on many other variables) or longer engine life. You pays your money and you takes your choice 

[darrsi]

K&N's flow more air how? The surface area of the pleats is no better than a paper filter so obviously the material flows more air i.e. they have bigger holes. There was an article in Classic Mechanics last year on air filters and they shone a bright light through a K&N and a paper filter. There were very noticeable visible light holes in the K&N, if you can see them then dust and grit can get through.


So its a trade off between possible slightly better performance (dependent on many other variables) or longer engine life. You pays your money and you takes your choice 

You realise you're talking to people with 12-17yr old bikes that are still going strong?   

[Paulfzs]

K&N's flow more air how? The surface area of the pleats is no better than a paper filter so obviously the material flows more air i.e. they have bigger holes. There was an article in Classic Mechanics last year on air filters and they shone a bright light through a K&N and a paper filter. There were very noticeable visible light holes in the K&N, if you can see them then dust and grit can get through.


So its a trade off between possible slightly better performance (dependent on many other variables) or longer engine life. You pays your money and you takes your choice 

You realise you're talking to people with 12-17yr old bikes that are still going strong?   

mines on its 3rd engine!!
1 change by me

[unfazed]

K&N's flow more air how? The surface area of the pleats is no better than a paper filter so obviously the material flows more air i.e. they have bigger holes. There was an article in Classic Mechanics last year on air filters and they shone a bright light through a K&N and a paper filter. There were very noticeable visible light holes in the K&N, if you can see them then dust and grit can get through.

mines on its 3rd engine!!
1 change by me

Mines on its first and now with 86000miles and a K&N in it since its second oil and oil filter change at 4000 miles.

The reason K&N use oil on their filters is to trap the dirt. Well documented fact

[midden]

K&N's flow more air how? The surface area of the pleats is no better than a paper filter so obviously the material flows more air i.e. they have bigger holes. There was an article in Classic Mechanics last year on air filters and they shone a bright light through a K&N and a paper filter. There were very noticeable visible light holes in the K&N, if you can see them then dust and grit can get through.


So its a trade off between possible slightly better performance (dependent on many other variables) or longer engine life. You pays your money and you takes your choice 

You realise you're talking to people with 12-17yr old bikes that are still going strong?   

mines on its 3rd engine!!
1 change by me

Just for the record and possible future reference: should the 'engine' be comparable  to the broom head, or the broom handle?

[darrsi]

K&N's flow more air how? The surface area of the pleats is no better than a paper filter so obviously the material flows more air i.e. they have bigger holes. There was an article in Classic Mechanics last year on air filters and they shone a bright light through a K&N and a paper filter. There were very noticeable visible light holes in the K&N, if you can see them then dust and grit can get through.


So its a trade off between possible slightly better performance (dependent on many other variables) or longer engine life. You pays your money and you takes your choice 

You realise you're talking to people with 12-17yr old bikes that are still going strong?   

mines on its 3rd engine!!
1 change by me

What are you doing to the poor thing?

[tony_d123]

K&N's flow more air how? The surface area of the pleats is no better than a paper filter so obviously the material flows more air i.e. they have bigger holes. There was an article in Classic Mechanics last year on air filters and they shone a bright light through a K&N and a paper filter. There were very noticeable visible light holes in the K&N, if you can see them then dust and grit can get through.


So its a trade off between possible slightly better performance (dependent on many other variables) or longer engine life. You pays your money and you takes your choice 

You realise you're talking to people with 12-17yr old bikes that are still going strong?   

Of course, there will always be the 95 year old granny who smokes 40 Woodbines and has a tot of whiskey every day and is still going strong. Wouldn't like to see the inside of her lungs though. All I'm saying is you make your choice with all the facts

[unfazed]

That may be the case with the grannies, but 3 engines, Midden in this case I would think the Broom Head, not being pushed properly

[fazersharp]

I am now not convinced again

[Paulfzs]

haha dont blame me


i got it on its 2nd engine which lasted 400 miles before imploding randomly, had oil was being raced a little bit at the time but id barely gone above 70 before this happened.


this 3rd engine though is running amazingly but clearly running lean!

[mikelockyer]

Hi My current 54 plate fazer thou has just clocked 20thou miles and a previous 02 model clocked 23thou and i am still using the same K&N filter. Never had engine issues on either bike. Regular maintenance by a good mechanic is the answer to most of the problems on any bike.
Regards Mike

[fazersharp]

So how much do they cost (incl oil cleaning kit) compared to an OEM one then.
Plus it looks a faf to clean and you then have to dry it and in the meantime you have a big hole to your engine and a mouse might get down there or something.

[darrsi]

So how much do they cost (incl oil cleaning kit) compared to an OEM one then.
Plus it looks a faf to clean and you then have to dry it and in the meantime you have a big hole to your engine and a mouse might get down there or something.

If you bought the filter and cleaning kit right now, about £45 delivered on Flebay.

To me it's not about the money though, the bike just behaves and feels better.

Probably best to clean it when you're not using the bike, in your case when it's raining, so you'll have plenty of opportunity, after you've done your first 50,000 miles (supposedly). 

[Paulfzs]

So how much do they cost (incl oil cleaning kit) compared to an OEM one then.
Plus it looks a faf to clean and you then have to dry it and in the meantime you have a big hole to your engine and a mouse might get down there or something.

how much does 1 mouse power equate to??

[fazersharp]

So how much do they cost (incl oil cleaning kit) compared to an OEM one then.
Plus it looks a faf to clean and you then have to dry it and in the meantime you have a big hole to your engine and a mouse might get down there or something.

Probably best to clean it when you're not using the bike, in your case when it's raining

 

[ChristoT]

It's squeak x cheese squared, Paul!

[fazersharp]

So how much do they cost (incl oil cleaning kit) compared to an OEM one then.
Plus it looks a faf to clean and you then have to dry it and in the meantime you have a big hole to your engine and a mouse might get down there or something.

how much does 1 mouse power equate to??

About 1/2 a hampster which is about 1/4 of a cat which is 1/4 of a dog which is 1/4 of a donkey which is half a horse power.

[unfazed]

I am now not convinced again

So your not convinced now because someone who does not use a K&N filter has replaced the engine in his bike 3 times. The mind boggles 

[unfazed]

haha dont blame me


i got it on its 2nd engine which lasted 400 miles before imploding randomly, had oil was being raced a little bit at the time but id barely gone above 70 before this happened.


this 3rd engine though is running amazingly but clearly running lean!

How do you know it is running lean? Did you have it dynoed?

[fazersharp]

I am now not convinced again

So your not convinced now because someone who does not use a K&N filter has replaced the engine in his bike 3 times. The mind boggles 

Im all mixed up now

[clayt74]

Just buy one!!!
It's less than £50 and you won't be disappointed!!!!
If you are then sell it on eBay with its life time guarantee  n buy ya self a £7 paper one!!!
Spend the cash you won't be disappointed both in feel and extra mpg!

[darrsi]

I am now not convinced again

So your not convinced now because someone who does not use a K&N filter has replaced the engine in his bike 3 times. The mind boggles 

Im all mixed up now

Get really pissed then search for one one Ebay, preferably the correct one for your bike, then you'll just impulse buy it.