Which sport filter ?

Hi!

I'm an owner of kawasaki Z750 ('04) and I would like to make a little
tunning on my bike. Last year I bought an open exhaust, which is a
replica of akrapovic, and now for this season I would like to make
another upgrade. And that would be a sport filter. Here in Croatia I
can find BMC, DNA and K&N. The paarice unimportant, because it's
almost the same. On internet(google) I couldn't find any reviews,
tests, compares of them. So now I'm in dilemma. In general for K&N
filters I heard that they became worse, BMC are OK but I'm skeptic
with italian products. For DNA I don't have any info. So if some have
any good advice I would be very grateful.

 

K&N

 

Any special reason why?

 

Because.

 

<rhetorical question>
What exactly do you think that this filter will do for you?
</rhetorical question>
Most of the non-testimonial reading that I've done (though it's
difficult to find good quantitative data on these things) indicates that
the OEM filter is comparable (or superior) in terms of air flow in
recent vehicles. Similarly, the OEM filter is typically comparable (or
superior) in terms of filtration in recent vehicles.

If you want a permanent (e.g. K&N) filter to save money, cut down on
waste, or something similar, that's an entirely different issue.

--
Later,
John



'indiana' is a 'nolnn' and 'hoosier' is a 'solkk'. Indiana doesn't solkk.

 

if the OEM filter is foam, theyre easily cleaned as well as "free" with
the cost of the bike.

any particular oil i should be using on my OEM foam filters?

 

any good airfilter oil will do fine. (Dont spray on heavy, just a light
coat.) K&N use may need rejetting. Unless go with a OEM K&N fliter. Still
the way to go.

 

I added a Power Commander and a BMC Race air filter to my Yamaha R1
last year with the specific goal of smoothing out the hideous chasm in
the midrange powerband. I found that the combination worked very well
and I don't get the 'honking' at 5.5k rpms any more. The BMC does claim
to require a custom power commander fuel map to work properly, which is
something I will test this track day season. If you don't have the
problem I had, the seat-of-pants dyno doesn't feel so different in
performance to me so I'm not sure it's a worthwhile investment on your
kwak. As far as quality goes, I felt that the BMC was up to par, pretty
well made, no complaints.
Cheers,
/Andy

 

On oil-gauze type air filters (K&N, etc.):

I have talked to a few people that have actually done testing on
different types of filters, taking into account more than just
performance. They also considered how well they filtered. I can be
pretty sure they were unbiased. They were from a very well known,
reputable, and well equipped performance development facility. They
said, to my suprise that they prefer standard issue paper filters.
Here is why they don't like oil-gauze filters like K&N. When they are
new and freshly oiled, it is difficult to oil them properly so that
they do not become too restrictive from excess oil. When oiled
properly, they work well for a while, but then the oil tends to dry out
rather quickly. At this time they flow very well, but let a lot of junk
through. They found that in the interest of making their engines last
and perform reasonably well and very consistently that paper filters
were the simplest and most effective solution.

This may not deliver the most peak power, but I really doubt that you
will be able to notice the power difference between a properly sized
and mantained paper filter and a K&N filter. And don't trust dyno
testing results on air filters. It is somewhere between difficult and
impossible to get dyno readings repeatable enough when doing such
testing.

 

A hundred tuning shops will be interested to read that.

 

So will the racers

 

Re: Which sport filter ?

Group: rec.motorcycles.tech Date: Sat, Jan 28, 2006, 8:24pm (EST-3)
From:

When they are new, they are pre-oiled, and do not require oiling.
Cleaning and oiling (which you might not have to do for a year or more,
depending on use and condition) is easy and straight forward. The oil
does not "dry out quickly", it lasts for a very, very long time. On
some motors, K&N's make a significant increase in power, on others,
much less. But if you're going to knock 'em, at least try having some
experience using them.

 

I have K&N's on my Kat, the 2 into 1's. Just cleaned them this month. My
fever is starting early. I think what he said is bull. I use K&N's in my
cars. One had over 250000 on it before it go hauled off, it was a 1989
olds. If the filter didn't do its job, I don't think the olds would made it
that far. But the 89 olds didn't die, I used it for parts for the 1988
olds. That I was restoring. The same K&N filter out of the 89 is now in the
88. Easy to clean, nice improves to a point. Will out last any paper type,
then some. Try any brand of cotton filter before you put them down. I like
K&N. If you don't get your hands dirty, how do you know? Don't assume,
ask! And don't believe everything you read.

 

I have used them, K&N filters specifically, in a very harsh
environment. As far as filtering goes, I'd trust a paper filter over
them any day.
I grant that they --potentially-- offer power gains, and they are more
suitable in certain applications.