To those who clean K & N air filters

[koolaid_kid]

@ Koolaidkid- Glad to see you are on top of things.

No offense intended. I have heard the theory that they let in too many particulates, and in my decades of experience with them I have never seen it happen. I used to be amused, however, when K&N used to claim that the dirtier they became the better they filtered. AFAIK they finally stopped that silly claim.

 

[1980GS1000E]

I remember that claim. It's probably true but bad for marketing. They do flow more air, no argument there. But hold one to the sun and you will see all the light that gets through. I have seen dirt in the slides from prior K&N use on other bikes I have had and my Dodge van had oil pressure problems earlier than it should have and this was due to dirt in the oil. Just sayin'

 

[tkent02]

No offense intended. I have heard the theory that they let in too many particulates, and in my decades of experience with them I have never seen it happen. I used to be amused, however, when K&N used to claim that the dirtier they became the better they filtered. AFAIK they finally stopped that silly claim.

This is true with any filter, as they collect more particles, the remaining holes in the filter get smaller, so smaller and smaller particles get trapped. Unfortunately this slows the flow or air, (or oil, or fuel, or whatever is being filtered) which creates other problems.
They can say they filter better, but actually they are getting more restrictive.