K&N Filter

[reg71]

Anyone using k&n filter on the 98-?? VFR? I was wondering if there are advantages and what are they? Also, the previous owner told me I'd have to adjust the EFI if I changed to an aftermarket reusable air filter. Is this correct?

[jethro911]

I have one and the previous owner is not correct. The fuel injection system will adjust to the increased air flow and the mixture should remain unchanged. The only time you would have an issue is if you hit the limits of your fuel injectors due to increased demand. That would take significant modifications and perhaps forced induction. A pipe and a filter would not do this.

[reg71]

Cool. Thanks Jethro. Now, what do you think of it? Is it a worthwhile mod?

[jethro911]

I have not ridden the bike without the K&N and a pipe so I cannot comment of any ass-dyno results but releasing the decibels on these bikes is very satisfying. It also looks good and sheds a few pounds. You will also save a few bucks over the years on filter replacements, if you clean your K&N versus replacing the OEM paper one.

[reg71]

Well, I looked around a little and it looks like the K&N is roughly 2x the regular one so it makes sense to me to just go ahead and switch to it next time I need to change. I remember reading something about K&N filters a long time ago that said in the long run your performance is more consistent. At least I think that was the gist of it.

[Dr WeaseL]

Hey just wanted to add my 2 cents... DONT GET THE K&N, you have to do some modifications to get it to fit the stock airbox correctly, AND - it is small, the surface area is smaller than the stock filter... Soooo go with the BMC, the filter is larger, and it fits PERFECT, and there is a huge difference between that and stock.. They are re-usable... it will last you forever.. just wash and oil them throw em back in.. anyway dont get confused, they are MORE EXPENSIVE, but bikes are toy's, and toys are not cheap! the K&N sells for roughly 60 bucks.. the BMC typically runs 80 bucks BUT>>>>>> i found a place called Parts411 they sell the BMC for get this, 58.99....

http://www.parts411.com/acb/showdetl...ID=730&CATID=2

good luck
Michael

[reg71]

Cool. Thanks Mike. I'll bookmark the page for when I get ready. I'll have to research the brand because I've never heard of them.

[Dr WeaseL]

Originally Posted by preregrin

Cool. Thanks Mike. I'll bookmark the page for when I get ready. I'll have to research the brand because I've never heard of them.

They are exactly the same concept as the K&N. BMC's are made in Italy, and in my opinion, and i used both, on the VFR, it is a lot better quality, here are some pix of the actual filter.

Here is the BMC (this brand is used in the motoGP circuit quite often and on F1 cars) ... (this is my actual VFR filter)


Here is the K&N version for the VFR (notice the surface area is smaller) (not to mentions some people have had to modify the air box to get the K&N to fit properly)...


I just don’t want ya to buy the K&N without knowing there are other better options available, and for the same price now... Just like everything else for the VFR, us loyal owners are picky and I don’t want to start a blog like the "hey what is the best oil" we all know that is like challenging religion on here, it is personal preference and my only point is to give you my opinion, the facts and why I chose it, you then can decide and be happy with your choice!

Good luck
Michael

[jethro911]

Wow, that is great information and the other filter does appear to be larger. My bike came with a K&N filter installed and I was suprised when it was mounted in essentally a large rubber flap with a bead around the edges to seal in the grooves of the airbox. Whoever installed it in my bike (was not a mechanic) otherwise they would have noticed that the airbox was no longer fitting together correctly. The flange on the K&N is too thick to just drop in and it holds the top half of the airbox about a quarter of an inch away from the lower half. The installer just cranked down on the screws and bent the airbox flanges to supposedly make it fit. I found that you need to remove the OEM seals in the airbox grooves to make the assembly clamp up and fit correctly. No big deal I guess but I was dissapointed in the product and the installation that had taken place. The filter on my 91 was a much more refined product being hard plastic and did not require removal of the OEM seals.

[reg71]

that's some great info. btw what is the best oil? ;) You know I looked around about the oil filter and found a lot of people liked the puralator pure one and either good synth or semi synth oil. I couldn't find that filter but I got a napa gold (wix) which I think is pretty good and castrol motorcycle high performance oil. i may change on my next oil change though. we'll see as we see.

[Dr WeaseL]

Originally Posted by preregrin

that's some great info. btw what is the best oil? ;) You know I looked around about the oil filter and found a lot of people liked the puralator pure one and either good synth or semi synth oil. I couldn't find that filter but I got a napa gold (wix) which I think is pretty good and castrol motorcycle high performance oil. i may change on my next oil change though. we'll see as we see.

Ok you asked the age old "religious challenge question" opinions on oil’s is even worse there are so many threads out there and so MANY people who have spent countless days and weeks and some years researching motor oil! Ok here is my theory…

There are some very SIMPLE do’s and Dont's… number one AVOID all the dont’s then make your best educated judgment…

Number one VFR’s are on of the many motorcycles that have a “WET CLUTCH” which do work well with the ingredients of “normal” oil (non-synthetic). Now to add to this most of us change our oil very frequently, meaning that we never come close to breaking down regular oil… therefore the need to run synthetic is well not needed, however, like every other vfr owner im meticulous and want the best, so my choice is running 10w40 Castrol Sytec BLEND! It is half the price of synthetic oil, and it has both qualities for the clutch and it adds the benefit of being more efficient and protects more with the synthetic part of the formula…

Typically I use to run Mobil 1, but then they changed up their formula to be longer lasting and if you look on the back of a bottle of oil there is a circle that shows the Letter codes of the oil… and it has the detergent code on it that is not recommended or bikes, HOWEVER, there will be someone who responds t my post stating that there is still the old formula available, so if you want to research that and find that great go ahead. But it still is overkill and costs double!

Now the oil filter, you can run the Purolator they are great, but I choose to run the Mobil One M1-110 filter, some use the M1-108 it is just a few inches shorter in length, but the 110 has a larger capacity therefore offers better filtration and added oil capacity.

Again everyone’s opinion is just that on oil, air filters, the use of premium fuel… etc

Just take their opinions weigh it against what you think and go with it, just gather facts and go from there…

I hope this page long rant was helpful!
Michael

[whiplash]

I'm sure a lot of quality oils are fine but I used the Motorcycle Consumer News Magazine series on motorcyle specific oils to choose. Amsoil synthetic 10w-40 came out on top. It is certainly not cheap but nothing but the best for my baby! I've used since past break-in on my '01 and have had nothing but good to say about it (I also use the Amsoil filters although I know others may be equal or even better).
As for the K&N filters, I have used them on my high performance offshore boat engine, truck and VFR and think they are excellent. For K&N it is not about vthe size but about the flow capacity. I definitely saw an increase in performance with all my vehicles with the K&N, including the VFR. The instructions are specific for installation ,and I think I remember something about removing 2 rubber seals, but I have a perfect fit with no modifications.
I have no info on flow capacity of the BMC models but they look interesting and I may buy one to see if there is a difference.
Just my 2 cents!

[rabbipal]

I also have run K&N air filters in every vehicle I own - both 2 wheel and 4 wheel variety. I do it purely from a financial standpoint - it pays for itself the first 2 or 3 filter replacements and have never noticed anything adverse to my engines. This is what I have noticed ... they claim more power and better fuel economy. They never say you get them both at the same time though. LOL. When they are brand new, you get more air (and dirt) come through which results in much more power (overly simplifying but more oxygen means more power in combustion engines). As time passes, they get more clogged with dirt and therefore filter the air better. The result is less air getting through - resulting in better fuel economy. My existing 3 vehicles (a Volvo S80, BMW 325i and Merc ML430) all bare testament to this, as well as my VFR800 and Yamaha FZR1000. I have never noticed any of my vehicles EVER perform worse than stock even at the K&Ns worst (dirtiest) moments. I clean them every 20K-30K miles and not, for one second, do I regret using K&N. I dont care how many reports come out to the contrary, in my situation, its a sound investment. I'll leave the speculation and negativity to those folks that have the time and inclination to investigate it. When they start paying for my air filters, I'll follow their advice. As long as I pay for it, I'll go with K&N. If its good enough for the US military to use in their million dollar aircraft, its good enough for me to use in my drastically cheaper vehicles :-). Oh, by the way, never had to make an adjustment for it to work on the VFR. Was a perfect fit right out of the box (same with ALL my other vehicles).