What's the best air filter and where's the best place to buy?

[RyanG]

As title describes, I'm due for a new air filter and am tossing up between just a OEM filter or a K&N style filter.

I have twin Yoshi R77's and I don't have a tune or PC yet, if I get a k&N style will I notice a power difference and will I need to get a tune?

Ryan

[TheAlchemist]

Funny that, i was just about to ask the same question, looking forward to the replies......

[bazman]

I have a BMC air filter fitted on my '99 busa.......no complaints here!

[Greeny_SA]

From what I've read here over the year's ,The best performing air filter is the OEM & the only advantage of a K & M or similar is you don't throw it away & can reuse ,meaning you only buy it once & clean & renew oil. No power gain & no retuning needed .

fasterfaster

QLD Member Posts: 1,050
Joined: Sep 2009
RE: which air filter is best?
Back to back runs with a stock filter versus BMC on a Gen 1 was zero improvement. Some model bikes do gain results from them some don't, but I haven't seen one as yet that lives up to the manufacturers claims when it comes to claimed Hp improvement.

[bigjay]

OEM......

[BEAU]

Completely agree here. I've got a K&N so I only have to buy one filter for life. No advantage on the Busa. Someone here wrote not that long back that they no that the Suzuki GP team used OEM filters...that says everything really.

[BikerBoy]

Someone here wrote not that long back that they no that the Suzuki GP team used OEM filters...that says everything really.

Not sure if that's true. When I bought my filter (pipercross) there was a bit of hype that both factory Ducati and Rizla Suzuki were using them in thier GP bikes.

Pipercross have two versions - normal and race spec. I bought both but have yet to try either.

[Greeny_SA]

Someone here wrote not that long back that they no that the Suzuki GP team used OEM filters...that says everything really.

Not sure if that's true. When I bought my filter (pipercross) there was a bit of hype that both factory Ducati and Rizla Suzuki were using them in thier GP bikes.

Pipercross have two versions - normal and race spec. I bought both but have yet to try either.

Mate , If Fasterfaster says there's no power gain , There's no power gain.Simple as that .

[BikerBoy]

Someone here wrote not that long back that they no that the Suzuki GP team used OEM filters...that says everything really.

Not sure if that's true. When I bought my filter (pipercross) there was a bit of hype that both factory Ducati and Rizla Suzuki were using them in thier GP bikes.

Pipercross have two versions - normal and race spec. I bought both but have yet to try either.

Mate , If Fasterfaster says there's no power gain , There's no power gain.Simple as that .

even if Ronald McDonald said there was no power gain I'd still agree.

[sutur]

Mate , If Fasterfaster says there's no power gain , There's no power gain.Simple as that .

+1
Told me the same thing when I brought my BMC. Damn, I thought, waste of money!

[Rev004]

I've had K&N in all my roads bikes not that is many but I did 100k on my GSXR1100 and had a K&N in from day dot, I had the motor pulled down at 70K and the mechanic couldn't believe how clean the motor was. Now that also comes down to regular servicing etc which we all know but every time I cleaned the air filter the air box was always spotless which for me was very good as I was living in Kalgoorlie at the time and if you know Kalgoorlie it is dust central so for me I would recommend K&N.

The standard filters are also very good but you have to replace them which is why so many people go after market.

My 2 cents worth..

[Shifu]

I use Pipercross filter after some research on filtering performance of various brands. The foam type filters outperformed the standard ones with fibre media (including OEM) every time. That means in filtering performance, not in gaining horses. It is an old catch 22, either good filtration and some restriction of the air flow or high flow rate with crap going through to the engine. Racing bikes do not use air filters at all as far as I know simply because they are getting rebuilt long before they have a chance to wear due to air polution.
K&N is also a foam type so it probably is good as well.

[Landmine]

OEM replace every 24K no cleaning oiling. Just bin and go.

[RyanG]

24k?! I change mine every 9k at least!

[Axe]

K+N,

I clean and oil every few months.....


the stock filter are pretty good these days, but paper baised elements..... cant go past a good aftermarket one.....
k+N flow heaps better and the oil helps pick up dust and dirt frag and helps repel water...


stock or K+N.... no contest!


Axe