K&N air/oil filters?

SVA · Post by **SVA** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:11 pm

Hey. As you can read in the "new-trixters" forum, I have just bought a '99 R1100S.

I have always heard a lot of good things about K&N filters, but I would like to hear it from someone who owns a R1100S and who has tried the K&N filters on their bikes. If the improvement is noticeable and more important, worth the money spent.

Kind regards

SVA

Above the clouds, the sun is always shining.

r550s · Post by **r550s** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:40 pm

Well, I put a K&N in mine 5000 miles ago because the paper one was due for renewal. Didn't notice a jot of difference to ride, and dyno tests (for other work) didn't indicate anything extra - not that I was expecting anything just from a replacement air filter. On the other hand, mpg has recently plummeted to 35 or less, and top end is down. When I took the filter out over the weekend it looked very very clogged with black dirt. I've actually replaced it with a DIY powerfilter (like a SJBW, only for 27 quid plus glue) and this morning it feels subjectively faster top end already. I'm thinking that maybe, cos I ride it through the filth of winter & the inlet seems really low down, the K&N clogs up too much. Shouldn't happen if you read the publicity though?

SVA · Post by **SVA** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:45 pm

Thanks. That answer really helped me alot. Now I don't have to wonder anymore.

You mention the Dyno test... Is that something you would recommend? To see if the engine is proper configured?

regards.

r550s · Post by **r550s** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:36 pm

Other people might have better reports about the standard K&N, having said that, I don't think anybody's ever claimed bonus hp for one over a clean OE equivalent. I was more concerned about how badly and quickly it had clogged up - that could happen to any filter. ...thinking on... I've noticed some really unusually sticky black sh#t on my bike this winter, on a few occasions after they've gritted. Plus, the roads have been awfully slippy. MCN ran an article last year about some new type of treated rocksalt that was supposedly yukky, and Sheffield is one of the Councils who are using it.
As for the dyno, well, I'm all for it. On the other hand there's a school of thought that says if it ain't broke... If you read this forum you'll see plenty of mention of throttle balancing - that's a must, even if you don't otherwise lay a spanner on it.

boxerpan · Post by **boxerpan** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 6:47 pm

r550s wrote:..........new type of treated rocksalt that was supposedly yukky, and Sheffield is one of the Councils who are using it..

It is supposed to help the salt stick to the road and contains sugar beet - hence the sheep invading the road to lick it up in certain ares. It does not help vehicles (especially bikes) to stay on the road coz it's slippy.

The only aftermarket filter worth having is from San Jose BMW in the USA since it has the filter medium held vertically and has a much larger area than standard or K&N.

SVA · Post by **SVA** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:14 pm

I want to thank you guys for all the helpful replies.
I think I will keep the stock air filter until I really get to know the bike. Otherwise I would never know if it made any difference. And I must say that the bike is running awesome:)

The only thing I have noticed, is that when i cruise at around 50-80 km/h at 3-4000 RPM, a vibrating occur with short intervals of 2 seconds. 2 seconds smooth running, and 2 seconds of vibrating. I do know it is a boxer engine, and that a boxer engine vibrates, but I am just curious if anyone else have experienced the vibrating. I am no expert on engines, so forgive me if this is a stupid question, but could the vibrating have anything to do with unbalanced throttle control?

Kind Regards

SVA

winger · Post by **winger** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:03 pm

Re read 550's posting about throttle balanceing

SVA · Post by **SVA** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:40 pm

Yeah, I know. That's why I mentioned it... to see if anyone knew if that could be the cause of it.

r550s · Post by **r550s** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:48 pm

great news about the sheep...maybe the roads'll be really clean afterwards?

winger · Post by **winger** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:14 pm

SVA

Almost certainley it is,most people have had the same problem at sometime or other,you need will a piece of kit called a Twin Max to sort the problem.

SVA · Post by **SVA** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:39 am

Thanks. After reading two pages of reviews of the Twin Max tool, I am pretty sure that it is a must own piece of equipment:)