K & N Filter

scotty · Post by **scotty** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:26 am

Doing a bit of a tune up on the bike at the moment ........set valves, new spark plugs and tweeked the throttle linkages with the twinmax. The engines still not as sharp as it should be so it's likely the air filter needs cleaning. I fitted one of those long life K & N jobs about 8.5K ago and suspect its a bit clogged. Anyone else use these things and how often do you clean them. Also can one get away with cleaning it with anything other than the recomended cleaning kit which probably costs as much as a new paper filter ?

Cheers

JoeC · Post by **JoeC** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:48 am

I would say clean at least once a year - I knew somebody once that said no leave it a couple of years as they are low maintenance. This is incorrect but they do last a life time if you look after them with regular cleaning.

I clean mine with the special filter cleaners and the bottle last ages - you do not have to use the K&N stuff. I used to used petrol in the filter in my old 100cc bike but this is not recommended anymore.

The special cleaning stuff is so easy - blow/shake away any loose dirt, spray on cleaner, leave a short while and rince away with water. Leave 24hrs to dry.

oyster · Post by **oyster** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:29 pm

I bought some K&N cleaner from Ebay, did what it says on the tin! Filter back like a new one. Really noticed the difference in performance when I cleaned the car K&N, not so much on the bike.

stephenb · Post by **stephenb** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:28 pm

Although it says once per year you would be suprised how much crap is actuallydeposited, the real stuff is not expensive and lasts an age I bought mine about three years ago and I clean mine every three months. When you clean it with water give it a good bang against the sink, the dirt and insects and stones that come out is quite surpising

Boxered · Post by **Boxered** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:20 pm

stephenb wrote:Although it says once per year you would be suprised how much crap is actuallydeposited, the real stuff is not expensive and lasts an age I bought mine about three years ago and I clean mine every three months. When you clean it with water give it a good bang against the sink, the dirt and insects and stones that come out is quite surpising

Especially if you have a Lennies induct fitted, I found a few small birds and a chinese scooter in mine

Steve

r550s · Post by **r550s** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:21 pm

I previously posted about how clogged my K&N got after just 5,000 miles. Maybe a combination of winter riding & air intake position. MPG was down to 35mpg and performance was off, just like yours. Not what I expected from a super-duper K&N. Other posts rcriticise the horizontal, downflow position of the stock air filter - makes sense. Much happier with a diy powerfilter - the air flows out of the (much bigger) sides and you can hoover the bugs and grit out of the bottom.

Boxadog 2000 · Post by **Boxadog 2000** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:23 pm

Every 5000 miles at least.

Had the GS serviced before we went to Spain/France and a new standard filter.

2000 miles later at home took out the filter and removed a large amont of dead beasties and plenty of dust.

Bob

POB · Post by **POB** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:46 am

I had most of a chinese takeaway menu, turned to papier mache, lodged into the LHS of my bike under the fairing recently. Clogged up half of my duct!

scotty · Post by **scotty** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:43 pm

Thanks for the replies. I did buy the K&N cleaner kit and was surprised at the amount of crap in the filter. I would say it needs cleaned every 5,000 - 6,000 miles regularly. Bike went much better after cleaning but now of course I'll have to tweek it with the twinmax again as the engine's breathing a lot better.