K&N air filter worth the money?

I have a 82 GPZ750. Is the replacement drop-in air filter from K&N worth the $ 47 dollar price? It drops into the stock air box. Any thoughts?

It wouldn't be worth it to me, even if it cost the same as the stock paper filter. K&N drop in filters do not filter down to as small a particle size as the stock filters. That is why they pass more air. Ed

I've been running them for 30 years. Lifetime use, well worth the money.
Steve

I don't know, I guess I fall midway between Ed and Steve. They are convenient and seem a good value, as can be reused for a long time, but do pass more dirt. There was a test done by some real nice equipment that could measure all kinds of things like air flow, dirt flow, amount of dirt before restricted ect, ect. This was on the internet, and done with a Chevy Duramax diesel. The K&N passed 13 or so times more dirt than the AC Delco paper filter which was rated the best, and on top of that air intake with the K&N was restricted much more quickly as it was run. This was not an AC Delco commercial or anything. They had no ties to any of the filters, just reporting what the measurement levels were. I've run them for years too, and never had any problem with the stock airbox with a K&N filter, but think in retrospect running the stock filter is a better idea. As to the K&N pods, don't even go there. They are good as running no filter.

I agree with Steve, I've been using mine for over 30 yrs Never a problem, never had to rebuild the engine so I'd say it filters plenty fine...... The amount of money saved on paper filters over that time would probably buy 2-3 K & N's :huh:
And don't forget that extra air :laugh:

I have been running an aftermarket foam style filter (on aluminum frame) for about 30 years now. You oil and clean it at regular intervals and it lasts forever. I think they used to sell for maybe $20.

Mine is like this one. I use the "no toil" filter oil and solvent because it is biodegradeable and dissolves in the water based
solvent solution. You don't have to use any paint thinner or mineral oil,

I'm running a K&N now but I would not buy one today if I had to change it. That you can clean it and apply new oil instead of buying new is not worth any extra price. My girlfriends Suzuki is born with an oiled foam filter that is cheaper, filters better and also last a lifetime. Really it comes down to if you want that extra amount of airflow (that some tests says are a pretty dubious claim in real life) and can live with a higher wear of the engine since it will let more dirt through.

I've used both the K&N and Uni filters in my bikes for 30 + years with no problems or accelerated wear. I think the Uni foam filters do a better overall job. Go to the Uni site and see if they still have a filter for your bike, they normally cost less then the K&N's.

The science is pretty clear on this topic, K&N do not filter particulate as well as simple paper filters do. This is not opinion, its been tested time and time again. Here a just a few tests you can find on the net, all showing how bad K&N really is. It is the most restrictive and poorest filtering option available on the market today.

www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest3.htm

www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html

www.fastcar.co.uk/2012/05/04/performance-car-air-filter-test/9/

There are dozens more if you keep looking... all point to the same conclusion ( accept those sponsored by K&N)

Oiled foam is superior to paper, but the best option is a foam pre-filter over paper. Similar to what the off road ATV crowd uses religiously.

I run paper filters or foam (uni-filters) on my cars and bikes.

"most restrictive and poorest filtering" are at opposite ends of the spectrum any test that claims that is total bullshit :whistle:

K&N are not most restrictive, but they are poor filtering. Not sure how significant this really is though. My opinion is to error on the side of durability.