Air Filter, Quick Decision

Sorry - I know there's an Air Filter thread already, just find myself in a very specific situation....

Was prepping the bike for some work tomorrow morning and discovered that the previous owner had put in a K&N. I happen to have a BMC waiting for pickup tomorrow morning.....for the ultra-low price of $60 out the door. The $60 is NOT an issue if I'm truly getting a better filter.

So the question becomes......which is preferable, K&N Filter + 2 Tanks of Gas or the BMC Filter?

Thanks All!

 

If you already have a quality filter, why change it?

 

From what I have read, the BMC flows more air. That said, I have a K&N in mine that came with the bike and it does just fine.

 

If it flows more air it will also let more particles in. The K&N allows more than a paper filter does.

Life or power, that is the decision.

 

Hey Mike, I know that I insulted you on that now infamous thread. I assure you that my intent was only to prove a point, and certainly not to ridicule you. So for apologies sake, may I suggest that 3ppm (paper) vs. 10ppm (K&N) is not of much consiquence in terms of longevity. There also was a thread regarding BMC and K&N that, according to well detailed measurements and material comparisions, the BMC had more surface area compared to the K&N, but the K&N allowed for the same amount of airflow, and very similar particle intake. I think that either filter is perfectly fine, but if you already own the K&N you might as well save yourself the $60.

I hope that will help to patch the bridge,

D

 

Hey All - greatly appreciate the comments. Since it appears that I'll be getting (essentially) the same performance with either filter, I'll keep the K&N and put the $60 towards 1000km worth of fuel! Great advice, thank you!

 

Not necessarily true. The BMC has a larger surface area to allow for the increased air flow. There are much more things to consider before making a statement like this. Until then you just assume... and I don't like someone else making an ass out of me. I do just fine on that all by myself.

 

I have always tried to temper my input a bit, when it comes to these filter v. filter threads. There are a couple of other variables that have never been mentioned.....1) the filter oil that is applied to the actual media. 2) Whether the person that is applying said oil has experience in prepping these filters to get the best balance of particulate capture and airflow. 3) Is the person applying the filter oil, waiting until the filter is 100% completely dry? just stuffing a filter into an airbox isn't going to net much of a change, if any. one thing to think about is that the filter is only the first part of a very complex and intricate process. if the exhaust, fi adjustment and any other of a myriad of combinations isn't correct as a package, a filter is more or less a waste of time.....unless you just happen to like washing filters and practicing putting oil on them.

 

Havcar-
Thanks for the info. My post was to get him thinking before he spent money on something he really didn't need. I spend most of my day worrying about minute details so when it comes to my bike I don't really worry about a couple of microns or a couple of HP. I am finding that you can really abuse modern engines and they keep on ticking. I rode a '99 Buell for 63,000mi. and it held up just fine. Probably did more maintenance on it than was needed too.

On that other thread I didn't mean to offend anyone and I wish I would just keep my mouth shut, I was just agreeing that something needed to be done. When I make it out to CO again I'll send you a note and buy you a beer (or 2 or 3).

 

Beer solves all discrepancies amongst fellow VFR brethren. Glad to see you guys ready to drink up and shake hands. Ride on!

 

Agreed my friend, on all counts. I try not to run my trap and it works about 6% of the time. I'll buy the next two or three, after a good mountain ride of course.