TOPIC:

I`m all for using a recommended company but a bit more expensive than I`ve seen them elswhere?Looks like they have a lot of good parts for my KZ though.
www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=1966

I have found the very best prices for K&N filters is at Amazon.com.

My $90 twin set only cost $55 at Amazon.

I've used pods for three years now with no problem. BUT, K&N are better filters but much more $$$$$$$.

I had UNI pods, the foam rotted away.
I had Emgo pods, they didn't flow for shit and the glue let go and they fell apart.
I got K&N pods, two of them with dual outlets on each (this gets around the turbulence problem one might experience with individual pods). These are the last air filters I'll ever have to buy for my bike.

Finally, three words in favor of K&N filters: Million Mile Warranty.

Buy UNI Filters from JC Whitney or similar - they flow and filter as good or better than K&N, and cost about $50 for a set of 4.

Emgo's are ok to keep rocks, twigs and small birds our of your carbs as they are screens, not filters.

Just an old geezer with his 2 cents worth:
Duncan's right, K&N's rep was built the same way Fram's was-advertising. Back in my streetracing/engineering days, we all saw the data on oiled fabric vs. oiled open-cell polyurethane foam. Oiled foam flows as well as oiled fabric, and stops particles that are 20% the size of what passes through oiled fabric. If you live in dusty dry environs, go oiled foam.
But Guitergeek is also right, oiled foam is not nearly as life-time as oiled fabric. The foam will eventually break down and need replaced. If you want a lifetime filter and you don't sweat the small stuff (you know, the really fine stuff that K&N, et. al. pass) then go for the K&N lookalikes.
ps.
Oiled fabric is oiled fabric. K&N just has to pay for their advertising.

pstrbrc wrote:

Oiled fabric is oiled fabric. K&N just has to pay for their advertising.

Emgo pods are not oiled fabric, they are paper filters sandwiched between metal screens. Once they get wet, they don't flow worth a damn, and they can't be cleaned. Pretty expensive for a disposable filter.

K&N also sells oiled foam prefilters that wrap around the oiled fabric main filters if you want an added layer of protection.

Post edited by: guitargeek, at: 2006/12/11 17:59

I've used the Emgo's. They are alright, but I did not like the fact that you cannot clean them. Dispose after a couple seasons.

I've since switched to the foam UNI's with the chrome end caps. JC Whitney has the best price on these. I like them and I think they perform better in cross-winds than the Emgo's. My only beef is that the #1 and #4 pods get squashed in a bit by my side covers. Hopefully this will not prematurely ruin the foam. It does not affect performance. Can't comment on longevity of the UNI's yet as I haven't serviced them since I installed them. I plan on washing and reoiling them every other oil change or 6000 miles.

Post edited by: savedrider, at: 2006/12/12 21:45

guitargeek like your idea running the dual filters. Anyone running those on 34mm flatslides?? K&N's web site is pretty damn confusing when it comes down to what fits what. Who else is running those?

I've had good luck with the Uni Filter brand. I broke one of my cheapo K&N knock off filters and couldn't get any so I bought the Uni brand, and they seem to work a little better on my bike.

UNI pods work for a while and filter just fine, but they're made of foam and foam will eventually rot. K&Ns are pretty much good for the life of your motorcycle.

Don't be a cheapskate, buy the real thing.

K&N filters flow more air for the simple reason that they don't filter the smaller particles.

Reference #1

Reference #2

My take on it is, if you plan on putting 100k plus miles on a motor, don't use a K&N, if you are going for a balance of engine life and power, then K&N would be a good choice.

I don't like using pods if I can avoid doing so, my choice would be a stock replacement K&N air filter.