Air Filter

[rmrc51]

A bit of a basic question but is there any preferred air filter for the Valk. Don't know if it makes a difference but I have a Standard.

I just took the gas tank off, opened the air box and found a pretty dirty filter. Of course I'm going to replace it so I might as well put the best one in.

Any opinions?

[threevalks]

Honda OEM

[valk2128]

I  replaced the air filter on my 1998 with a Honda OEM filter right after I bought her back in September. 

[John U.]

+ 1 on OEM

[pekardo]

I use since 90k miles the K&N Filter. I mean one Filter all miles. Clean and oil him every 5k miles.

[f-Stop]

Just changed to K&N on my '98 Standard...runs good.  Have been running K&N in my work trucks & family cars for years...never have to buy another filter.  Just clean every so often and use the K&N recharge kit...these filters will last the life of your vehicle...gosh, I sound like a dang commercial or somethin'...

[DaveD(MI)]

Had a K&N, went back to OEM. I think it ran too lean, it runs better with OEM and Dragonpacks.  The K&N may run better with some carb adjustments, just my opinion.

[YardBoy]

I installed a K&N as part of getting the bike ready for the riding season.  My butt dyno says I may have lost a pony or two.  I did use lhe prefilter.  Anyone ??

[FLAVALK]

If you intend on keeping the bike for a looong time, get the K&N. If your not sure, stick with the OEM. Don't buy into the "better fuel mileage and more HP" crapola....IMHO

BTW, I've had one for about 7 years and it's paid for itself

[rmrc51]

I already have a brand new OEM filter and I plan to keep this trike until I kick off!  I'll look into the K&N next time around.

[Jean the Black Wolf]

Honda OEM for me too   

[f-Stop]

I have to agree that you will not get better fuel mileage with a K&N, but the fact that they last the life of the vehicle will save you $$.  The last truck I took out of service had nearly 200,000mi with one filter.  The K&N for the Valk is pricey, but will eventually pay for itself even considering the price of the recharge kits.  (seems like K&N used to give you a recharge kit when you bought the filter, but now they come "ready to install" with no kit) 

I have stock carbs and pipes and have not noticed any significant change in performance.  Fuel mileage is about the same, too.  I read on this forum a while back to use the pre-filter.  K&N hammers home the pre-filter issue even more!

[fudgie]

K&N all the way. Just took mine off on Sunday and looked good. Prefilter had a leaf and a bug or 2 on it. I clean mine every 15,000. I noticed a differance, esp in my Z-71. 

[Robert]

The best one is the one that works for you, thats a loaded question. I use the KN filter without the prefilter and the reasons are less maintenance better breathing. I noticed some posts from guys that used the KN and had a lean condition that is what the prefilter is for that little piece of foam that goes on top of the filter. It will help the problem. If you used the prefilter and still had a problem you would have the same with the stock filter because with the foam on top it is pretty close to factory flow. If you want the best filtering with a bit more maintenance then the stock is for you. It is really a good filter for most applications.