Experience with K&N Air Filters

[Buffalo Bill]

Over on katriders.com, the experienced carb tuners discourage K&N filters on the 1989-2006 Katanas.
Seems those engines don't run well at all through the K&N, and can't be tuned satisfactorily.
Endless newbee posts: “My bike won't start” or “It won't idle since”.
Just sayin…

 

[Fjbj40]

I ran a direct replacement KN filter in my 1985 Land Cruiser with a 3B diesel. I did Blackstone oil analysis (SOAP) regularly. After I installed the KN filter and after 10,000 km I did an oil change and a SOAP. Everything was normal like all the other SOAP tests, except elevated levels of silicon!

Out with the KN, and at the following SOAP, everything was back to normal. At the last test they even asked " did you install a high flow air filter like a KN?!

I still run them on my bikes though, cheap rebuild price. Land Cruiser engine is a $5-6000 rebuild bill.

 

[Highcountry]

If you do 'Oil Analysis' for the engine running a stock Air Filter and then again Running a K&N, you will see a spike in metal particles and silicon content of the oil. Higher performance but Shorter engine life, your choice.

 

[Griffin]

All filters pass particulate matter. If they didn't they wouldn't pass any air either. The primary question is, "How much particulate and what size?" The secondary question then is, "Will this amount of particulate at this size damage my engine?"

It is true that a paper element can be made to be the finest particulate media available. Finer than the cloth fiber (K&N) type, finer than the foam (UNI) type. That being said, at the prices we're talking, the restriction in particulates also translates into a restriction of air flow.

Bear in mind, we're talking particles measured in microns (1/1000ths of a millimeter). We also have a second filter, the oil filter, which removes particles from the oil (once again, measured in microns). The primary sources for particles in the oil are engine wear, and the outside air sucked into the engine.

Millions of people (including myself and many others here) have been running K&N filters on their bikes, cars, boats, etc... for decades. Have their engines worn more than if they'd stayed with OEM paper (or foam) elements? Probably.

Have their engines worn more to the point that they are seeing their engines needing major repairs or overhauls at unexpectedly low miles? Evidently not.

Are there tangible and recordable performance gains to be had running non-paper elements? Without question, yes.

 

[tkent02]

Put in K&Ns because it hauls ass. Replace the rings when it doesn't haul ass anymore. Pull wheelies. Who cares.

 

[Nessism]

If I were building a performance bike I'd use K&N pods. If i needed a new air filter for inside the airbox I'm going high quality paper if available, or OEM foam. The environment the the bike in running in matters too. Dry and dusty condition are more extreme so I'd avoid the K&N there too.

 

[Guest]

Put in K&Ns because it hauls ass. Replace the rings when it doesn't haul ass anymore. Pull wheelies. Who cares.

THAT'S It !!
I don't buy motorcycles to be sensible !!!
Ride it like you stole it !!