PODS or Stock Airbox?

KZReeder wrote:

As far as the convenience of putting covers on the pods... who gives a rip. If we wanted comfy reliable and quiet bikes we'd all be riding stockers... I love that after I really get on the pipe and run through the gears at full throttle my ears are ringing for about 10 minutes. I love a bike that feels alive and connected to the road... is that what they call soul?

Amen brother.

Actually I give a rip. I really don't want to have to baby my ride to that degree. I am less and less into wrenchin' and fiddlin' today and more into riding. I also admit comfy is nice and I do like a well kept stocker but I know they are not for everyone. Fact is I appreciate just about all bike types and have been lucky enough to have owned and rode all types. In fact I have rode some quiet, comfy, reliable, stockers that were dripping with soul. It's just perspective. Lots of different perspectives.

I just picked up a sweet 1980 650LTD. 15000 original miles! I'll probably keep it, and sell my 77650. The LTD came with pods on it, runs great. My question is, how do I know if they are K&N pods or not? I don't see any apparent markings on them. They are dark grey in color. I posted 2 pics, one with flash, one without. Thanks for any help!:S

The K&N filters are fabric and a dull reddish color. The ones you show in the picture are Emgo paper-element pods.

I've read that paper filters are damaged by washing or wetting with water. Something about the paper swelling and closing up the pores.

Any body else have any thoughts on paper elements?

KZCSI

It's true.

Before I had these K&Ns I had Emgos that were just turds! I got caught out in the rain with them once and I barely made it home, it was running so poorly. Plus, the glue let go and the end caps started falling off.

Before that, I had the black UNI pods with the chrome caps. The foam rotted and crumbled.

I'm quite happy with my dual flange K&Ns. The only problem I've had with rain was when I was on a long trip and the rain was coming down in sheets. Quite intense! The bike wouldn't go any faster than 65 mph, but then again, I really had no business going over that speed in those conditions anyway. No sane person would have been riding a motorcycle through that downpour. I could barely see where I was going, and I had to be very careful to keep out of the ruts on the highway because I felt the tires hydroplane a few times. Once the rain slacked off to less than biblical proportions, the bike ran just fine.