K&n Filters
Moderator: Moderators
K&n Filters
Anyone use K&N filters for their bikes? Have you seen any improvement in performance or milage?
Re: K&n Filters
I have a K&N in mine and I'm quite disappointed with the gas mileage. One day I got 46mpg (accceptable), the next fill up was 37mpg.
Re: K&n Filters
Oil filters - Switched to them on my R1150GSA. I'm saving 60% in $ by buying them half a dozen at a time compared to genuine BMW. They are specifically referenced as a suitable filter for the R1150XX here, so I have no qualms in using them. Well made, and supposedly meet all the BMW requirements as far as I can tell from reading the specs. Certainly a lot easier to fit and remove with the case nut on the bottom! I doubt that you would ever notice any performance improvement or degradation with a different filter, good or bad.
Air filters - I had the option but the cost didn't warrant it. A couple of guys use K&N air filters off-road and like them as they come with a snorkle sock as well. No outright performance improvement to speak of, but seem to do a better job in filtering fine bull-dust we have here. I've stayed with paper.
You have to remember that these engines are very difficult to 'hot up'. Performance chips, cams, port and polish, free exhaust, decent filtering - All are nice, but you'd be lucky to gain 5 horses out of a lot of expense.
Air filters - I had the option but the cost didn't warrant it. A couple of guys use K&N air filters off-road and like them as they come with a snorkle sock as well. No outright performance improvement to speak of, but seem to do a better job in filtering fine bull-dust we have here. I've stayed with paper.
You have to remember that these engines are very difficult to 'hot up'. Performance chips, cams, port and polish, free exhaust, decent filtering - All are nice, but you'd be lucky to gain 5 horses out of a lot of expense.
I ride an R1150GS Adventure with sidecar. IBA #39193
Re: K&n Filters
I've read on other forums things which agree with what I know from a hot rodding background -
that the K&N type filters allow more fine grit into the engine than the paper filters, unless you have
that sock over it and then where is the additional airflow going to come from?
Also, that additional airflow only helps at the very top of the rpm range and to some extent throws
the airflow calculations off for low and mid range torque, actually diminishing it in some cases.
They're OK on a max effort engine on a race track (non-dirt BTW) but otherwise are mostly
detrimental to an engine from a longevity and a performance standpoint.
that the K&N type filters allow more fine grit into the engine than the paper filters, unless you have
that sock over it and then where is the additional airflow going to come from?
Also, that additional airflow only helps at the very top of the rpm range and to some extent throws
the airflow calculations off for low and mid range torque, actually diminishing it in some cases.
They're OK on a max effort engine on a race track (non-dirt BTW) but otherwise are mostly
detrimental to an engine from a longevity and a performance standpoint.