This is a very good point and read!

[Dieago62]

Remember how dirt bikes used foam oiled air filters? and still do!
Pay close attention to how he says the more expensive filter that make engine run better trap less dirt.

http://www.carjunky.com/news/motor_o...l#.VjmAEytmNuk

[Dieago62]

I also used to put a layer of grease on both mating surfaces of my filters to make/create a seal

[smokey]

Originally Posted by Dieago62

I also used to put a layer of grease on both mating surfaces of my filters to make/create a seal

So K&N filters should be a whole lot better then than stock filters, mostly due to the oil barrier that they use?

[Dieago62]

Originally Posted by smokey

So K&N filters should be a whole lot better then than stock filters, mostly due to the oil barrier that they use?

I was wondering this myself but the oil the oil they use I'm not so sure?
Yamaha sent out a service bulletin several years back saying not to use the spray on oil on foam filters that is just like k&n sell. They said use motor oil
K&n filter oil is a lot like atf and they say don't use that either

[Dieago62]

look how thick the oil is unifilter recommends

[smokier]

Greetings,
I recharge my K&N air filter at every oil change (5k).
Am curious if a thicker oil would do an even better job on the K&N. Humm...
Something else to research.
:)
Ride safe,
Smokier

[smokey]

Originally Posted by smokier

Greetings,
I recharge my K&N air filter at every oil change (5k).
Am curious if a thicker oil would do an even better job on the K&N. Humm...
Something else to research.
:)
Ride safe,
Smokier

No, a thicker oil will cause air flow problems and result in your bike burning rich and running into all sorts of problems with sputtering, and other nasty things, stick with what is recommended, if K&N say to use a specific oil it is for a reason.

[Lumberjack]

It would be "good point" if you put in the subject that you are talking about air filters. ;)

Fram oil filters only work if you maintain them by washing and oiling. Foam filters are not the same as the Fram despite what you may think IMO. Better is subjective - better filtering, better breathing? You can't have both necessarily...

I took out the Fram in my other bike and put in a regular filter as I think a better breathing filter loses it filtration ability. I would rather have a clean engine running at OEM specs and filter. I have a Fram in my Voyager by the previous owner and will probably do the same and take it out too. If you don't spray the Fram filter regularly it won't have proper filtration. How many people do you know that have a Fram filter but not the cleaning kit which included the spray oil? If they do how many times have they used it? On paper the Fram may be good or better but in real life I wonder?

[smokier]

Originally Posted by smokey

No, a thicker oil will cause air flow problems and result in your bike burning rich and running into all sorts of problems with sputtering, and other nasty things, stick with what is recommended, if K&N say to use a specific oil it is for a reason.

Greetings Smokey, you are probably right. The Suzuki GS850L my son had years ago had thicker oil on the filter. Of course it also had a green foam pre-filter...
Ride safe,
Smokier

[ponch]

Originally Posted by smokey

So K&N filters should be a whole lot better then than stock filters, mostly due to the oil barrier that they use?

If you want your engine to last, especially in dusty environs, don't put a K&N filter on the bike.

[smokey]

Originally Posted by ponch

If you want your engine to last, especially in dusty environs, don't put a K&N filter on the bike.

Why not, I would think that in dusty environments the same is true for K&N as for any filter, more frequent cleaning and maintenance. I check mine every oil change and clean if required. In dusty areas I would be prone to checking weekly.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by smokey

Why not, I would think that in dusty environments the same is true for K&N as for any filter, more frequent cleaning and maintenance. I check mine every oil change and clean if required. In dusty areas I would be prone to checking weekly.

Because they let in more dirt. It's a dirty little secret, pun intended. There's a lot of marketing with their products, but if I was after reliability and filtration, I'd steer clear. There are better oil filters too, but people like that stupid nut. To put it another way, there's no free lunch.

[Dieago62]

Originally Posted by ponch

because they let in more dirt. It's a dirty little secret, pun intended. There's a lot of marketing with their products, but if i was after reliability and filtration, i'd steer clear. There are better oil filters too, but people like that stupid nut. To put it another way, there's no free lunch.

My thoughts exactly. Next time you that have a KN and remove it to clean wipe the inside of breather with a white rag and see the dirt
What turned me away was on a small block 400 Chevy I had a 6'' tall kn sitting on top a Holley 850 and inside of the breather and lid was a dust bowl dirty place. Think like this take a new Kawasaki H2 I bet it will pull your elbows out of socket while breathing through a paper filter! Its making 200hp so why want a 1700 Vulcan make all it needs thru a paper filter? And so you buy it to reclean and save$ well if I wanted to save money I wouldn't own a Vulcan 1700 I would have a little 200cc. But this is just how I see it. This is the good ole USA everyone has a option to do as they wish right!