K&N Filters - worth it?

[bell]

I remembered this post where Jim2 had mentioned the gains from his DNA filter on the Z750.

...good news front, the new engine cover looks grouse, the rear hugger looks great and will stop the Ohlins getting covered in munt, and the DNA air filter has freed up about 10HP and fixed the fuelling right through the range.

Open the taps at 100km/hr in top and there is no need to change down to overtake now.

[rogson]

Don't waste your money on a K&N (or any other fancy brand) filter.
From memory the RF900 filter is a flat rectangular element isn't it?
Buy a rectangular pad of UNI foam filter element (about $20).
Cut it to size/shape. Use the frame of the existing filter if need be to support it or fashion-up a support out of some wire gauze.
Oil it and slot it in.
The foam can be cleaned and reoiled - will last the life of bike.

Oiled foam has as good if not better filtering properties than most other types (after-all they are used universally on dirt bikes), and I suspect it will have less restriction to flow than the stock filter, inwhich case you may need to rejet - but will get a performance gain if you do.

[xwhatsit]

Pod. Pod pod pod pod pod. Pod pod pod pod Pod POD!

*whooooooooosh*

[vifferman]

Buy a rectangular pad of UNI foam filter element (about $20).
Cut it to size/shape. Use the frame of the existing filter if need be to support it or fashion-up a support out of some wire gauze.
Oil it and slot it in.
The foam can be cleaned and reoiled - will last the life of bike.

That's basically what I said.
But cut the foam just marginally bigger than the frame, and glue it in using hot-melt glue around the edges or silicon sealer (the latter's apparently not recommended if you have a catalytic convertor fitted).
You can still clean and re-oil it, but it stops any crap getting in around the edges. I've done this on two bikes now, and have detailed destructions and pix if anyone's interested.

[Fatjim]

And where do we get a $20 pad of unifoam filter material.

[vifferman]

And where do we get a $20 pad of unifoam filter material.

From the $20 shop?















Actually, I bought mine from Motomail, a few years ago. If I recall, it was $32. Made a VTR1000 filter and VFR800 filter from it and still have a little left.

[Fatjim]

dumb question removed

[vifferman]

dumb question removed

Does that mean I have to remove my dumb answer? :spudwhat:

[Grahameeboy]

Ha ha, you really didn't use the search did you?

But despite the vehement negativity I have had quite positive results with them, including improved performance and fuel economy.

Plus they start and look quite reasonable when you consider the MASSIVE cost of a genuine Suzuki filter.

Both my RF and SV showed improved performance.

Both had / have TRE's, however, after fitting K/N to SV it now does 103kph at 4,000 rpm instead of 100kph......so I guess that must show extra something..same happened to my RF.

[Grahameeboy]

Cheers guys.

Yes I did use the search and found bugger all - they mentioned the horsepower gains are mentioned under the part number of something - but the part number was there all by it's lonesome on the site (http://www.knfilters.com/search/prod...x?Prod=SU-9094)

Anyway. It does lead onto the next q - rejetting....

Costs? Benefits if done without the K&N filter change?

I'm a complete newb to this stuff (I just buy 'em and ride 'em) but I have to admit my curiousity has been piqued of late

Didn't need to re-jet my RF.....but youknow about jet engines Nige so just fit one of them and see what 'appens eh?

[The Stranger:Me]

Both my RF and SV showed improved performance.

Both had / have TRE's, however, after fitting K/N to SV it now does 103kph at 4,000 rpm instead of 100kph......so I guess that must show extra something..same happened to my RF.

Ok, not sure how to respond to this one.
But I'll play it safe and assume this is a piss take though.

[ManDownUnder]

Well I bought one... US$39.95 and it should be here in.. about ... 6 - 8 weeks...

Thats a long way down from the quoted NZ$139...

[imdying]

Ok, not sure how to respond to this one.
But I'll play it safe and assume this is a piss take though.

Agreed. I wonder if paid extra for the magical gearbox mod though?

[Grahameeboy]

Ok, not sure how to respond to this one.
But I'll play it safe and assume this is a piss take though.

No it really is true

[Lou Girardin]

I won't use a K&N because of analysis results I've seen.
But if 1 extra hp matters, go for it.