Questions For K&N

[BIG--T]

For those of you running K&N air filters, did you notice any difference in power? Also how often do you clean them?

Thanks

[The Anvil]

For those of you running K&N air filters, did you notice any difference in power? Also how often do you clean them?

Thanks

Personally, I think the only reason to own a K&N is for the washability. I've never noticed a power increase from any of their products as compared to a stock filter in good condition. That said, if you ride in dusty conditions then it could pay itself off several times over the course of a vehicle's lifetime.

[Chrisj CMA]

I disagree totally about using the K&N in dirtier than usual environments.  These things are designed to use on the racetrack and in industrial applications, many times indoors where there is a controlled clean environment.  Racetracks are clean.  The K&N is higher flow, so naturally to do that you have to let more air in, and more of every teeny tiny particle too.  They are great for normal road use.  If you live on a dirt road or ride in severe dust/dirt conditons, I personally would stay with the OEM. 

As far as performance, I didnt notice an increase in "seat-o-the-pants" horsepower, but it did lean out my mixture, which was what I was looking for.  That better mixture caused an increase in fuel mileage and easier starts, smoother idling

[The Anvil]

I disagree totally about using the K&N in dirtier than usual environments.  These things are designed to use on the racetrack and in industrial applications, many times indoors where there is a controlled clean environment.  Racetracks are clean.  The K&N is higher flow, so naturally to do that you have to let more air in, and more of every teeny tiny particle too.  They are great for normal road use.  If you live on a dirt road or ride in severe dust/dirt conditons, I personally would stay with the OEM. 

As far as performance, I didnt notice an increase in "seat-o-the-pants" horsepower, but it did lean out my mixture, which was what I was looking for.  That better mixture caused an increase in fuel mileage and easier starts, smoother idling

I'm talking about washability, not filtration. The particles that a properly maintained K&N will let pass are not going to harm your engine. But assuming you ride in dusty environments then you'll need more frequent replacement of a disposable filter.

[BIG--T]

I disagree totally about using the K&N in dirtier than usual environments.  These things are designed to use on the racetrack and in industrial applications, many times indoors where there is a controlled clean environment.  Racetracks are clean.  The K&N is higher flow, so naturally to do that you have to let more air in, and more of every teeny tiny particle too.  They are great for normal road use.  If you live on a dirt road or ride in severe dust/dirt conditons, I personally would stay with the OEM. 

As far as performance, I didnt notice an increase in "seat-o-the-pants" horsepower, but it did lean out my mixture, which was what I was looking for.  That better mixture caused an increase in fuel mileage and easier starts, smoother idling

Well a mileage increase sounds good as long as it does'nt lean it out too much.  How often do you clean yours? And yes it's not dusty here.

Thanks

[Chrisj CMA]

I disagree totally about using the K&N in dirtier than usual environments.  These things are designed to use on the racetrack and in industrial applications, many times indoors where there is a controlled clean environment.  Racetracks are clean.  The K&N is higher flow, so naturally to do that you have to let more air in, and more of every teeny tiny particle too.  They are great for normal road use.  If you live on a dirt road or ride in severe dust/dirt conditons, I personally would stay with the OEM.



As far as performance, I didnt notice an increase in "seat-o-the-pants" horsepower, but it did lean out my mixture, which was what I was looking for.  That better mixture caused an increase in fuel mileage and easier starts, smoother idling

Well a mileage increase sounds good as long as it does'nt lean it out too much.  How often do you clean yours? And yes it's not dusty here.

Thanks

I clean mine ataround 12-15K miles or so

[YoungPUP]

I run them in both my cages, and the bike. The cages get theirs cleaned once a year, the bike at the spring maintenance. Follow the instructions on the cleaner kit. Make sure you run the prefilter.

[BIG--T]

I run them in both my cages, and the bike. The cages get theirs cleaned once a year, the bike at the spring maintenance. Follow the instructions on the cleaner kit. Make sure you run the prefilter.
[/quote

I've read some use the prefilter and some don't. What exactly does it does and does it restrict the flow since some will not run it?

Thanks

[YoungPUP]

i'm sure it restricts the flow some, but I look at it this way. K&N designed the system, and they employ smarter people than me. So if the instructions say to use it......

[PhredValk]

X-guy, do you use the pre filter?
Fred.

[BIG--T]

X-guy, do you use the pre filter?
Fred.

Not yet Fred, I just ordered it and don't know whether I will or not that's why I'm asking questions. This seems to be a contraversal subject here.

So far I'm thinking going without bc I think I'd get more air flow and it is not dusty where I live and I don't ride dirt roads and gravel very seldom. I just want to pull the tank once! On my V-Twin I have an open air intake(that only takes a minute to change! Lol) with a K&N with no "pre" filter. 

[Jess from VA]

Unless you have rejetted, you should use the prefilter.... it is called for in the application.  When you see it, you'll realize there is very little restriction, and it definitely adds to filtration between tank pulls and clean/reoiling.  Some stock bikes can get too leaned out (and hotter) just by leaving it off.

[Garry 2r's]

During tech session at InZane with Daniel he recommends staying with stock filter with the reason of K&N filter when re-oiling you need to be sure not to over oil and not to under oil it. Which can cause lean or rich condition. I still have my K&N but a good point to consider when you service it. And service your filter either one every 10,000 miles.

[Ricky-D]

I just take my K&N out every two or three years and knock it off.

Never ever looks dirty.

Still have the original stocker which is like brand new.

Might put it back the next time I take the tank off.

***

[BIG--T]

Unless you have rejetted, you should use the prefilter.... it is called for in the application.  When you see it, you'll realize there is very little restriction, and it definitely adds to filtration between tank pulls and clean/reoiling.  Some stock bikes can get too leaned out (and hotter) just by leaving it off.

Jess I'm glad you told me about running lean. When I bought the bike it had 6-6 Cobras and I asked the man had it been rejetted and he thought the original owner did...so I really don't know. Now that really gives me something to think about bc I sure don't want to lean it out too much! 

[BIG--T]

During tech session at InZane with Daniel he recommends staying with stock filter with the reason of K&N filter when re-oiling you need to be sure not to over oil and not to under oil it. Which can cause lean or rich condition. I still have my K&N but a good point to consider when you service it. And service your filter either one every 10,000 miles.

The oiling part is easy once you get used to it. Just follow directions and hold it 3" away concentrating on the pleats. You want a pinkish color not red. If you over oil it, I just try to sling the oil off and use a rag to soak it up. I believe the worsre that can happen it it'll go right out the exhaust. 

[BIG--T]

I just take my K&N out every two or three years and knock it off.

Never ever looks dirty.

Still have the original stocker which is like brand new.

Might put it back the next time I take the tank off.

***

Ricky did you notice any difference in performance with more air flow and are you running the prefilter?

Thanks 

[Jess from VA]

I run a K &N (plus prefilter, which collects more dirt than the filter element it sits on) in one IS and the OE filter in the other, and there is no difference (and how would you identify 2-3 HP if you actually got it?).  I will probably go OE on both bikes, because after 12-15 months goes by and I don't feel like pulling the tank only to clean the K&N, the OE will be performing better than the dirty/dry K & N.   While K & N may last a lifetime, you can get 3+ OEs for one K & N (I think).

[BIG--T]

I run a K &N (plus prefilter, which collects more dirt than the filter element it sits on) in one IS and the OE filter in the other, and there is no difference (and how would you identify 2-3 HP if you actually got it?).  I will probably go OE on both bikes, because after 12-15 months goes by and I don't feel like pulling the tank only to clean the K&N, the OE will be performing better than the dirty/dry K & N.   While K & N may last a lifetime, you can get 3+ OEs for one K & N (I think).

I maybe wrong but I think the manual said to replace at 12k so either way have to pull the tank. As far as hp, it had made a big difference on other bikes. Maybe the Valk is different.

[Ricky-D]

"Ricky did you notice any difference in performance with more air flow and are you running the prefilter?"

There was no difference that I could tell when I changed to the K&N.

I ran it with the pre-filter for a long time and noticed all it stopped was the bugs. It is a course screen and I think it's mainly to stop the boulders and bugs to help keep the actual filter cleaner.

I took the pre-filter off a bunch of years back and noticed no change.

I am of the opinion now that the stock filter will allow the most air to flow when compared to the K&N.

***

[R J]

I bought the K&N filter for MGM way back when he was just a young pup.

Used the pre-filter for 12K.

Took the filter out to clean it, put it all back together , and guess what, there laid the damn pre-filter.     Wasn't about to take the tank off again so I put the pre-filter up,    figured I'd put it in on next cleaning.    I have  cleaned the filter faithfully every 12 - 15K ever since, & could never find the pre-filter, last week I found the pre-filter, and I just tossed it in the trash can.   I figured 220K without it, it wasn't going to do much good now.

I figure I have more than got my $$$$'s worth out of it......

[BIG--T]

Well thanks guys for all your help. Since it appears not to make any difference and will help keep the filter clean- rocks, bugs, etc I may as well use it.

RJ Congrats on the 220K!! And if I forget my prefilter after putting the tank back on, I'll toss mine too. Lol!

Ricky I believe you are the only person I ever heard off that prefers the oem over K&N! It is less messier I guess and don't have to worry about over oiling!!

[Ricky-D]

Well I really don't prefer the stocker over the K&N, it's just that the filter on my bike never shows any real dirtyness. Most likely because of the riding that I do. Streets and interstates.

I seem to remember a piece by CA I think about the stock filter actually flowing better that the K&N.

K&N's only advantage is that it's washable. I don't think they claim better air flow.

***

[Tropic traveler]

Several years ago I talked to someone at K&N about the prefilter. It was designed to match OE air flow with the pre-filter in. I can figure from that & all my years of using K&N in other applications that without the pre-filter it would flow more air.
Jet & modify accordingly.