K & N filters an honest opinion

[devo]

Guys n Gals I am after honest feed back here re K & N are they as good as the self write up they have ???
Do they stop fine dust particles ?????
Was thinking of some for the ZX12R but I want good flow and atleast they are reusable .
Anyway your thoughts

[MadKaw]

They last a long time, but don't give any real noticable increase in HP.

[Blurr]

Yep as Dave said, cheaper in the long run, bugger all difference in performance

[seiko1]

both of em!

[Jonno]

Seriously, they are good, BMC road are even better for this bike but exy when I bought mine.

Long term I would stick to the stock kawasaki pair.
They are actually the same if not better at filtration, and unless you are riding in poor environments Imo I can't justify the cost.

Recommend change every 50k kms, you would need to do 150k kms to break even with the aftermarket filters. On the 12 there is no proovable advantage to fit them performance wise.

[Blurr]

Damn Jono wear are you gettin your paper filters from?

Most paper filters at service cost about the same as the bMc race filter. I will say however I haven't bought one for a while. Also most places will change the filters every 24k service at the least.

[IsleofNinja]

BMC / K&N pretty much same same re quality / price.

Have run BMC or K&N on many of my bikes for years mainly for serviceability than percieved performance gain.
....... (OK I'm anal re servicing ... Shut up Mel/Robyn!!! )

**Do not use the 'race' version on a street bike unless you intend on regular rebuilds / barrel exchange program.

[hoffy]

change papers 12K if you do the B*%^ng dirt often !

[walky2]

hey mate,
I noticed an increase in power after around 7000rpm after installing a k+n filter, in conjunction with the M4 slip on the difference was noticeable from 7thou onward and at higher speeds.

[Gosling1]

Devo - I have run BMC road filters on the MFP12 now for about 4? years ? Waaay ahead in $$$ terms, compared to using OEM items when you consider current replacement filter cost from Kawasaki, vs $140? original price on ebay for these BMC filters. Every 6 months they get a clean and re-oil with a K&N filter kit. I service all the K&N filters with this one kit ( 3 bikes 1 4WD and 1 VN sedan) - and the kit is still 1/2 full !! And don't believe any bullshit you may hear about the high cost of cleaning these filters regularly - the kit is lasting quite well considering how many filters it actually gets used for

[mick_dundee]

I bought a K&N for my 9 shortly after buying the bike, wouldn't say it "increased" hp but IMO definately made the delivery of it smoother.

[Dafuzz31]

I have the K&N aswell and i would say there is a slight increase a bit more smoothness through the rev range.

[tim]

Got one sitting in the box reaady to install, I'll let you know

[pittster]

I'd like to add to this if i may went through a similar issue, is a K&N / BMC worth it i think its great they can be cleaned and will save money over time that which is why i run one in my wifes commodore but its not for performance reasons.

My filter was filthy in my bike and couldn't decide whether to go stock again or go a Race filter K&N or BMC obviously if i got the later it would need a re tune cause the current map is for the stock filter.

Worst part about all this is there is very little solid data in regards to filters just alot of marketing talk.

So is sent a email K&N for some further info

"Hello,

I have a 2008 kawasaki zx-10r 1000cc with a full Yoshimura R77 a stock air filter and Powercommander 3 with a custom map to suit the above modifications.

My question is do you have any data or before and after dyno tests for your Race or normal filter to suit my bike.

I am currently weighing up whether to go wtih a stock filter or your Race filter but it depends on the gains in performance also remember the bike will be custom remapped to suit the new filter.

Kind Regards Jeff"

And the Response

"Dear Jeff,

Thank you for your interest in K&N products. K&N does not dyno test replacement air filters, street use or racing use. K&N only has dyno testing results for specific intake systems. I am unable to speak for the exact gains that you may experience due to the other modifications other than the amount of air flow that you will see with the K&N racing filter KA-1008R will be higher than the flow you will see with the normal air filter KA-1008 and very much higher than the stock disposable filter. this is due to the composition of the filter media used in our products. While a disposable is usually composed of a very restrictive paper or synthetic media, K&N filters such as the KA-1008 are composed of a 4-6 layer oil impregnated cotton gauze, and the KA-1008R is a non-oiled 2 layered cotton gauze designed for racing application only. If you would like to see mode details and information about our filters compared to stock disposables, please refer to our website http://www.knfilters.com, or contact our customer service line 1-800-858-3333.

Thank you for writing,

Vincent Pistonetti
-Product Specialist-
VincentP@KNFilters.com
K&N Engineering Inc.
http://www.knfilters.com"

From a performance standpoint knowing that k&n use the formula of if it flows x amount and filters x amount its bound to be better didn't really gel with me.

So after a month of trawling the internet i came up with the following conclusion:

Street filters can sometimes on certain models can lose power (Afr out or volumetric efficiency issues)
Race filters can at max pick 2HP but filter less, but no dyno proof of what it does to mid and low range (basically street use)

After seeing my old stock filter its obviously working, in the end i went for a stock kawa filter maybe if i did as many Kms on the bike as the Wife does in the car a washable filter would be beneficial, but not when i know that the stock filter can allow enough air to make 200HP with ram air and still filter all the crap out.

Hope this essay helps some one make a educated choice in the future.



Pretty clean inside

[Jonno]

Damn Jono wear are you gettin your paper filters from?

Most paper filters at service cost about the same as the bMc race filter. I will say however I haven't bought one for a while. Also most places will change the filters every 24k service at the least.

Last time I bought genuine filters for a 12R was in 2004 for $112 a side, need 2 off.
I bought BMC road kit later on for $280 odd.

From memory and I may be wrong the owners handbook/service book recommend changing at either 50k kms or 100k kms or earlier depending on operating environment. So being conservative here let's say change at 50k kms which means I would have to do +100k kms to be ahead in cost and justify aftermarket filters.

K&N are cheaper, but reading the usa zx12r forums hundreds of owners agreed they didn't fit well and BMC was the way to go.
Another outcome from the general consensus of owners was there was no noticeable gain on a dyno with aftermarket "road" filters fitted.

I do agree that aftermarket filters are more serviceable and all that but I never perceived a gain in power or change in tune.
I don't agree they are cheaper unless your planning on keeping your bike for ever or operate in a adverse environment.

Saying that my 2006 12r came with aftermarket K&N fitted, my other low km stock 2005 12r has more power and cleaner delivery and is a long way from needing a filter replacement.

My 9r filter disinigrated so it was easier to fit K&n, the zx6 tracky also has race fitted.