K&N air filter change

[Cambello]

Just finished the oil and air filter service on my RT-s 2010 and as part of the change I decided to go with the K&N air filter. Just like to ask does it really improve the HP? and the running,

 

[SPYD3R]

NO

NO

 

[Grandpot]

No real HP improvement, high up-front cost and they are a PIA to clean. I just buy new stock filters and swap them out.

 

[DrewNJ]

....

 

[Chupaca]

Yeah..!!

you may not notice it but does help in combination with pipes alot. I have used them in all my vehicles and though cleaning them is a less than pleasent job you don't have ti clean it for up to 50,000 miles...:thumbup:

 

[jansboy]

Only put a K&N filter if you want to wear out the motor faster. They are not a good filter.

 

[Cambello]

K & N filters

Only put a K&N filter if you want to wear out the motor faster. They are not a good filter.

Seems like a lot of variable comments, looks like I'm stuck with it for the next few services any way. Cost of a new paper filter was not far off that of this K&N, I'll keep an open mind and report back later, :thumbup:

 

[PMK]

Seems like a lot of variable comments, looks like I'm stuck with it for the next few services any way. Cost of a new paper filter was not far off that of this K&N, I'll keep an open mind and report back later, :thumbup:

Don't get too worked up from other comments. True the filtering capability of a K&N is not as good as a proper paper or other dry fabric filters. If you had a mass air sensor, there is a possibility that overoiling a K&N could start to coat the MAS and require it to be cleaned but on a SPyder that is a non issue. As for cleaning a K&N, I have never found it difficult and would normally accomplish the task during an oil change if needed.

Pull the filter and soap it well. While accomplishing other tasks, add as need more soap to keep the filter wet. About the time the oil is drained, (this included getting tools, drain pan and then dumping oil) you might consider running the clean water on the filter to get it clean. Allow the filter to dry while you are changing the oil filter, installing the drain plug, servicing oil and putting tools away. By then hopefully it is dry and ready to reoil. If not you should wait. Once dry, reoil as per instructions and reinstall.

As for the filter efficiency to catch dirt. You need to be the judge. You are on a street machine. If your location or rides always are in dusty areas it may not be a good choice. No filter is 100% efficient and the larger the filter vs the engine displacement will lesson dirt that passes through. Also, cleaning at reasonable intervals will also remove dirt that may work its way through over time.

Personally, if they offer a K&N for the 14 RT series, I may go with it and knowing the miles we will ride per year, clean it once per year, or about each 5k miles.

I believe you will be fine using some common sense.

PK

 

[Cambello]

Thanks

Don't get too worked up from other comments. True the filtering capability of a K&N is not as good as a proper paper or other dry fabric filters. If you had a mass air sensor, there is a possibility that overoiling a K&N could start to coat the MAS and require it to be cleaned but on a SPyder that is a non issue. As for cleaning a K&N, I have never found it difficult and would normally accomplish the task during an oil change if needed.

Pull the filter and soap it well. While accomplishing other tasks, add as need more soap to keep the filter wet. About the time the oil is drained, (this included getting tools, drain pan and then dumping oil) you might consider running the clean water on the filter to get it clean. Allow the filter to dry while you are changing the oil filter, installing the drain plug, servicing oil and putting tools away. By then hopefully it is dry and ready to reoil. If not you should wait. Once dry, reoil as per instructions and reinstall.

As for the filter efficiency to catch dirt. You need to be the judge. You are on a street machine. If your location or rides always are in dusty areas it may not be a good choice. No filter is 100% efficient and the larger the filter vs the engine displacement will lesson dirt that passes through. Also, cleaning at reasonable intervals will also remove dirt that may work its way through over time.

Personally, if they offer a K&N for the 14 RT series, I may go with it and knowing the miles we will ride per year, clean it once per year, or about each 5k miles.

I believe you will be fine using some common sense.

PK

Thanks for that advice, in the UK we dont have many dusty roads, in fact when I took the old one off it was so clean it was touch and go whether to put it back in.

 

[Mad Mac]

FILTERS??

I've used K&N filters in sand rails,quads and plenty of dirt bikes. Also have used them in my JEEP(s),4x4 trucks,cars,and my GW and have had good luck w/them. They acually work better if their alittle dirty. for a street vehicle,clean every other year and oil them properly. I also seal them with waterproof grease around the rubber gasket before installing them into the air box.just my 2 cents.

 

[Cambello]

cool

I've used K&N filters in sand rails,quads and plenty of dirt bikes. Also have used them in my JEEP(s),4x4 trucks,cars,and my GW and have had good luck w/them. They acually work better if their alittle dirty. for a street vehicle,clean every other year and oil them properly. I also seal them with waterproof grease around the rubber gasket before installing them into the air box.just my 2 cents.

Thanks for that advice the it's running at about 50/50 now so the odds for fitting a K&N are improving

 

[BajaRon]

The K&N filters are a good product with opinions all over the map. You should be able to get at least 50,000 miles in an average environment before it needs cleaning. You can either purchase a recharge kit from K&N for this or do it yourself as mentioned in a previous post.

I wouldn't over-think this one. I am running a K&N filter for 30,000 miles. It's doing a find job.

Coupled with a free flowing exhaust you will get a bit more power. With a stock exhaust you will not see any power improvements from adding a K&N filter. The biggest advantage is that you don't have to do anything with it for a long time and they are about the same price (or less) than stock paper filters.

 

[Cambello]

Running sweet

The K&N filters are a good product with opinions all over the map. You should be able to get at least 50,000 miles in an average environment before it needs cleaning. You can either purchase a recharge kit from K&N for this or do it yourself as mentioned in a previous post.

I wouldn't over-think this one. I am running a K&N filter for 30,000 miles. It's doing a find job.

Coupled with a free flowing exhaust you will get a bit more power. With a stock exhaust you will not see any power improvements from adding a K&N filter. The biggest advantage is that you don't have to do anything with it for a long time and they are about the same price (or less) than stock paper filters.

Well I think since I did the service the bike is running as sweet as a nut. I don't think it has run as good as it does now! I'm not one for waking up the neighbours when you enter the street, I'm more into a sweet ticking over noise with a throaty rumble when you open it up. This is the first service since I bought the bike and it has about 11.5k miles on the clock. So knowing what the difference is on performance due to the K&N air filter being fitted is going to be difficult. I set out just wanting to buy the best I could and it seems to have worked. Thanks Bajaron I think I bought the oil and hydrolic filters from you!:yes: