Cheap oil filters

[scumdog]

When it comes to parts/bits that are critical/can fail I'll ALWAYS buy OEM - unless it is a component that has been proven to be superior to OEM.

Non-critical/decorative stuff? At time I'll take my chances.

[imdying]

Yamaha don't make a lot of parts for their bikes I'd bet, including things like ECUs. They'll have a supplier (such as Nippon Denso or whoever it is) that makes them to their specs, so for all intents and purposes it's the same thing.

I would be very surprised if most dealers didn't get plugs from the local NGK importer (Darbis), but as with the BMW example shown above, there are always exceptions.

As far as Repco vs Honda... that's trickier than it sounds, supply channels are probably different worldwide. Probably a more relevant question is, who has more swing, Repco NZ, or Honda NZ. Probably Repco NZ I would've picked. It's tricky because it might be easier to match supplies with the local importer who keeps stock on hand, rather than pulling them from Honda NZ, or then OZ, or then Japan. The economic efficiency of leveraging Honda Japans bulk buying power may be offset by supply times or the associated managment costs of using Honda Japan, if you see what I mean?

[bimotabob]

I used to sell some Suzuki supplied Spark plugs - these look almost the same box wise but have the Suzuki part number on them.

For instance one of the genuine RM125 plugs was about $50 through Suzuki retail and through Darbi's nearly a $100.

A lot of people wouldn't get the correct plugs with the special tip and heatrange because of that cost. I was told some of them damaged pistons because the ignition system didn't like the wrong type.

I'm glad my bikes take the cheap plugs.

Cheers

[Max Preload]

...of course free and easy use of arguably the most misused statements in all languages....''good quality, best quality, high quality'' etc.

And just plain 'quality' with no indication of which end of the quality spectrum they think they rest...

Also, let's not forget, that specification levels of a specific product may change quite rapidly as better materials become cheaper. And while the driving force behind price is often found in the cost of those materials, price does not always equate with quality in NZ due to our geographical location.

So how is one to know? One could perhaps do what you did and have the filtration properties of each filter available at any one time tested, and select the best. But this is impractical. What would be practical is either legislation requiring mandatory labelling of specifications relevant to the products use (particle filtration size, area, by-pass lift pressure etc). just as is done with food. Even the magazines could get onboard and start doing and publishing independent testing.

[Robert Taylor]

And just plain 'quality' with no indication of which end of the quality spectrum they think they rest...

Also, let's not forget, that specification levels of a specific product may change quite rapidly as better materials become cheaper. And while the driving force behind price is often found in the cost of those materials, price does not always equate with quality in NZ due to our geographical location.

So how is one to know? One could perhaps do what you did and have the filtration properties of each filter available at any one time tested, and select the best. But this is impractical. What would be practical is either legislation requiring mandatory labelling of specifications relevant to the products use (particle filtration size, area, by-pass lift pressure etc). just as is done with food. Even the magazines could get onboard and start doing and publishing independent testing.

That is quality, reasoned thinking.

[roogazza]

R T, " Let the buyer beware " ! You write and think like someone I know here in Wgton ? Don't worry, its a good thing ! Gaz.

[ynot slow]

I went in for one for the bike,they didn't have in stock but in next day,$13.00 all up,bought not in home town,but in a larger town (pop 5000),as I was working there for day or 2 and knew local dealer would be closed before i'd get home sat arvo,wanted to change filter prior to ride the next day.Never said I want el-cheapo,just a filter so trust they gave me trusted brand,as that was what they used for all the filter changes in their workshop.

[Pixie]

I went to the trouble of disassembling the 3 common brands of filter on the market.
I found that visually the Vesrah was identical to the OEM part.
The Hiflo was slightly uneven in the arrangement of the media pleating.
The 3rd brand Emgo had slightly less media.
I couldn't test the porosity of the media,but the thickness and fineness of the fibres was similar in all.
I replace the filters at half the recommended interval to offset any difference in filtering ability.
I also checked the used filters for any ruptures or tears and saw no signs of this.
I did find a highly recommended and expensive AMSOIL filter for my car,had a element assembly that was half the size of the Purolator filters I was using.
The media had also been poorly bonded to the end caps,leaving a gap for oil to pass through.

This site has useful filter info:
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Fil...tml#OilFilters

As for dealers justifying their mark-ups - The example of some Moldex disposable foam ear-plugs, on sale in a well known central Auckland bike shop for $13 for 2 pairs,when NZSafety sell the same pack for $3 and Moldex Silicone Reusables for $5 leaves me highly skeptical

[Max Preload]

I couldn't test the porosity of the media,but the thickness and fineness of the fibres was similar in all.

Not particularly scientific.

I replace the filters at half the recommended interval to offset any difference in filtering ability.

It doesn't work like that, in fact if anything, it'll do the opposite. Particles below the filtration size will make their way through a fresh filter more easily than a semi-clogged filter, although less oil and particles will by-pass the filter altogether.

[Max Preload]

Why don't standard GSXR shocks have a choice of springs and why can't Suzuki make them as good as Ohlins.

You answered your own question. See here:

Goes along with my thoughts that just because something is OEM doesn't mean its going to be best. Vehicle makers try to save money just like anyone else.

[GSVR]

Not particularly scientific.

It doesn't work like that, in fact if anything, it'll do the opposite. Particles below the filtration size will make their way through a fresh filter more easily than a semi-clogged filter, although less oil and particles will by-pass the filter altogether.

Seems like a good oil filter or any oil filter must produce friction as the oils getting pushed though those tiny pores and the oil pumps going to rob power from my engine.

Maybe I'll rip all the filter paper out and just change to oil alot. Just have to remember not to grind the gearbox and send shards of metal into my bearing journals.

But aleast I wont have to worry about oil gallerys getting blocked with dissintergating filter material.

[Robert Taylor]

Seems like a good oil filter or any oil filter must produce friction as the oils getting pushed though those tiny pores and the oil pumps going to rob power from my engine.

Maybe I'll rip all the filter paper out and just change to oil alot. Just have to remember not to grind the gearbox and send shards of metal into my bearing journals.

But aleast I wont have to worry about oil gallerys getting blocked with dissintergating filter material.

Cripes, remind not to even think about trading a bike with thought patterns like that having gone into its ''care''.

Im not ''having a go'' at you personally and dont wish to engage in ''back and forth, back and forth''

Suffice to say its worth thinking about certain goods and why many are so cheap. Many aftermarket products are excellent, even some of the cheap ones. Many are rubbish.

Oil filters, at least what the oem manufacturers have ''chosen'' ( if you want to view it that way or whatever ) for oem fitment it is at least a known standard acceptable to them. Unless you have a lot of honest, transparent data at your fingertips it is difficult to know just how bad the cheapest filters with ''dingdongdit'' labels actually are.

Let the buyer beware.

[Mr Merde]

The japs invented good supply chain management .........

Sorry to disagree with you here but they didnt invent the above mentioned systems. I agree that they have DEVELOPED them into very good systems.

From my time at uni studying engineering design and quality control I seem to remeber that it was the Americans who took those systems to Japan after WW2 as an aid to recovering their industry after such.

Mr

[sAsLEX]

Sorry to disagree with you here but they didnt invent the above mentioned systems. I agree that they have DEVELOPED them into very good systems.

From my time at uni studying engineering design and quality control I seem to remeber that it was the Americans who took those systems to Japan after WW2 as an aid to recovering their industry after such.

Mr

Who invented the car?

Henry Ford.

Ok he probably didn't but he made them a reality to all, so in pop culture he could arguably be called the inventor of the modern day auto mobile.


I remember learning the Jap supply chain thing at uni, not who invented it, you often only ever hear the most popular or successful. Wright vs Pearse.

[Pussy]

Did an oil and filter change on Gassit Girl's 750 this evening.... and yes, the GENUINE Suzuki filter HAS got the protective plastic cover on it