S
ShadowFocus603
Guest
So I intend to use this thread not only for photos and initial impressions but also as a place to accumulate a long term review of these air filters. I know that several of our members are against pods completely, and those that aren't are against cheaper alternatives based on the get what you pay for principle. Awhile back, I was contemplating pods for my 11e, as it already has a 4:1, and was doing my usual search of eBay and Amazon for initial options and happened to stumble across these guys. http://www.ebay.com/itm/391038192566?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT You can find them by searching 54mm (or 52mm) oval air filters. I was intrigued due to the fact that aesthetically they are very similar to the K&N's and the APE's. And at $26 they appeared to be a bargain, keeping in mind that you get what you pay for. So May 1st I bit the bullet and placed an order with the seller in the link, since he is very local to me, and basically forgot about it due to sports for my son etc. Came home today to a package.
Size wise, they are dead on with the other pods that I own for my other bikes, a review of which can be found in my build thread. They share in common with the K&N's the rib on the mounting boot that helps positively locate the clamp, which I appreciate.
Also like the K&N's, the top cap is stamped with their logo and is chrome plated (these are the only filters I have that the bottom cap is also chrome plated).
The second picture also shows the inside of the filter, which looks spot on for what you'd expect. I'm not a fan of chrome, nor the stamped logo, but that is purely aesthetic. My first overall impression is generally positive. The overall construction seems to be on par with the other manufacturers. The boots are nice, supple rubber. The clamps are Taiwan made, which I think about all of them are anymore. The major difference I see is the filtration media. On the other two filters, the wire mesh is much finer. On the Alpha Moto's, they use a heavier gauge, chrome plated wire mesh. From my viewpoint this appears to serve only aesthetics and not so much function. An obligatory squeeze test confirms that the Alpha's filtration media is stiffer I guess you'd call it due to the heavier screen. The filtration media so far as I can tell is much the same as found on the other filters. It's hard to tell due to the screen.
The initial testing will be done on the 850 as it already has pods and the obligatory jet kit installed and ready to go and is a known quantity as far as performance and on-road behavior is concerned. I'm going to oil the Alpha's later this evening then install them and take the 850 to work tomorrow morning (supposed to be 50F) and take it for a quick jaunt after work (75F forecast) to see if the bike feels/acts any different. Stay tuned.
Size wise, they are dead on with the other pods that I own for my other bikes, a review of which can be found in my build thread. They share in common with the K&N's the rib on the mounting boot that helps positively locate the clamp, which I appreciate.
Also like the K&N's, the top cap is stamped with their logo and is chrome plated (these are the only filters I have that the bottom cap is also chrome plated).
The second picture also shows the inside of the filter, which looks spot on for what you'd expect. I'm not a fan of chrome, nor the stamped logo, but that is purely aesthetic. My first overall impression is generally positive. The overall construction seems to be on par with the other manufacturers. The boots are nice, supple rubber. The clamps are Taiwan made, which I think about all of them are anymore. The major difference I see is the filtration media. On the other two filters, the wire mesh is much finer. On the Alpha Moto's, they use a heavier gauge, chrome plated wire mesh. From my viewpoint this appears to serve only aesthetics and not so much function. An obligatory squeeze test confirms that the Alpha's filtration media is stiffer I guess you'd call it due to the heavier screen. The filtration media so far as I can tell is much the same as found on the other filters. It's hard to tell due to the screen.
The initial testing will be done on the 850 as it already has pods and the obligatory jet kit installed and ready to go and is a known quantity as far as performance and on-road behavior is concerned. I'm going to oil the Alpha's later this evening then install them and take the 850 to work tomorrow morning (supposed to be 50F) and take it for a quick jaunt after work (75F forecast) to see if the bike feels/acts any different. Stay tuned.
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