K&N Oil And Air Filters

[frankster]

Anyone out there have any experence using K&N oil and air filters? I've heard good things of them from a limited amount of people. My bike is a 2003 America.

 

[Philois]

I have never used either but from what I have read on this forum and a Honda VFR forum the air filters are fine but the oil filters have been known to fail. Apparently the problem is with the built in ”nut” for tightening it, probably more a case of people over tightening them. Regardless I have stayed away from them just in case. I always use OEM oil filters, they aren’t really that much more expensive.

 

[Rocky]

I have never used either but from what I have read on this forum and a Honda VFR forum the air filters are fine but the oil filters have been known to fail. Apparently the problem is with the built in ”nut” for tightening it, probably more a case of people over tightening them. Regardless I have stayed away from them just in case. I always use OEM oil filters, they aren’t really that much more expensive.

I haven't used either one and stick with OEM replacements. Over on the Honda CB1100 forum they have also reported on the oil filter failures.

 

[frankster]

I have never used either but from what I have read on this forum and a Honda VFR forum the air filters are fine but the oil filters have been known to fail. Apparently the problem is with the built in ”nut” for tightening it, probably more a case of people over tightening them. Regardless I have stayed away from them just in case. I always use OEM oil filters, they aren’t really that much more expensive.

Thanks for getting back with me. Good info!

 

[frankster]

I haven't used either one and stick with OEM replacements. Over on the Honda CB1100 forum they have also reported on the oil filter failures.

Thanks!

 

[CarlS]

I have used the oil filters with no problems and no failures. I do like the built in nut. I have not tried the air filters on my motorcycles. I did try them on my diesel truck and they do breathe better. The downside is that the filters need to get a little dirty before they work efficiently. Since I run my truck on unpaved roads, I was not willing to take that risk and I went back to regular air filters. Because I ride my Tiger off pavement, I have stayed with regular filters. if I rode strictly on the pavement, I would try one.

 

[frankster]

I have used the oil filters with no problems and no failures. I do like the built in nut. I have not tried the air filters on my motorcycles. I did try them on my diesel truck and they do breathe better. The downside is that the filters need to get a little dirty before they work efficiently. Since I run my truck on unpaved roads, I was not willing to take that risk and I went back to regular air filters. Because I ride my Tiger off pavement, I have stayed with regular filters. if I rode strictly on the pavement, I would try one.

Thanks

 

[CarlS]

Thanks

You are very welcome.

 

[Jackal]

I have both air and the oil filters the air filters are great in my opinion. But i have had an oil filter fail at the nut but it was my own fault for not taking the nut protrusion below the frame when lifting my bike, other then that I have had no issues.

 

[unclescratch]

I have used the oil filters with no problems and no failures. I do like the built in nut. I have not tried the air filters on my motorcycles. I did try them on my diesel truck and they do breathe better. The downside is that the filters need to get a little dirty before they work efficiently. Since I run my truck on unpaved roads, I was not willing to take that risk and I went back to regular air filters. Because I ride my Tiger off pavement, I have stayed with regular filters. if I rode strictly on the pavement, I would try one.

I have often read that the pleated paper filters (OEM type) actually filter better than the pleated gauze/oiled air filters (K&N type). If you are always on pavement I would think they are O.K., but you still have to buy the cleaner/re-oil kit and actually perform the periodic maintenance to them. IMHO all that extra hassle doesn't justify all the extra cost for (probably) less filtering!

 

[CarlS]

I have often read that the pleated paper filters (OEM type) actually filter better than the pleated gauze/oiled air filters (K&N type). If you are always on pavement I would think they are O.K., but you still have to buy the cleaner/re-oil kit and actually perform the periodic maintenance to them. IMHO all that extra hassle doesn't justify all the extra cost for (probably) less filtering!

Very well put. I agree. That is why have stayed with paper filters after trying the K&N on my F-350 diesel. Better filtering and less hassle.

 

[frankster]

I have often read that the pleated paper filters (OEM type) actually filter better than the pleated gauze/oiled air filters (K&N type). If you are always on pavement I would think they are O.K., but you still have to buy the cleaner/re-oil kit and actually perform the periodic maintenance to them. IMHO all that extra hassle doesn't justify all the extra cost for (probably) less filtering!

thanks for the info!

 

[Nortony]

Anyone out there have any experence using K&N oil and air filters? I've heard good things of them from a limited amount of people. My bike is a 2003 America.

I’ve used K & N oil filters on a number of my newer Triumphs, a Thruxton R, and a Daytona 675R as well as on my recently sold BMWS1000RR and have read the warnings of possible leaks where the bolt fitting is fused to the filter body. as of this writing I haven’t experienced an leakage. That said, given that others have had issues perhaps the next time I buy a couple of filters I’ll opt for another brand.

 

[Arrowbear rider]

I currently have a K&N oil filter with the nut, and I hadn't known of any problems. I wonder after reading some other comments if some of the failures (not anyone here) were due to someone putting a wench on the filter on the install, if so, why? Wouldn't that be too tight? AND could torquing the nut damage the thin wall of the filter?

When I did my oil change I was able to remove my old filter with my bare hands, which was very fortunate since I wasn't able to fit the wench we had in the tight space where the filter is located, and I was going to have to go buy one when I decided to just try and I lucked out. The filter never leaked before that so I tried to hand tighten the new about the same if possible; so far no leaks in about 400 miles.

On the Thunderbird the space is so small that the small nut on the end should make it much easier on the next oil change. We'll see in about 8 months.

 

[coolmario23]

I have used both these filters on all my bikes from a 1997 Honda Magna to 2010 Yamaha Vstar 950 and now to my triumph 2012 America.

The Most common misconception on the Nut is, (It needs to be used only while removing)

Most common mistake people use that Nut for tightening the oil filter, which needs to be oiled and hand tighten only,

Yes there was a recall for the old set now that is fixed as per K&N.

 

[frankster]

I have used both these filters on all my bikes from a 1997 Honda Magna to 2010 Yamaha Vstar 950 and now to my triumph 2012 America.

The Most common misconception on the Nut is, (It needs to be used only while removing)

Most common mistake people use that Nut for tightening the oil filter, which needs to be oiled and hand tighten only,

Yes there was a recall for the old set now that is fixed as per K&NView attachment 49724View attachment 49725.

Thanks for ther reply! I always tighten hand tight, been working with my hands for a lifetime and can still pull them up plenty tight!

 

[Nortony]

I have used both these filters on all my bikes from a 1997 Honda Magna to 2010 Yamaha Vstar 950 and now to my triumph 2012 America.

The Most common misconception on the Nut is, (It needs to be used only while removing)

Most common mistake people use that Nut for tightening the oil filter, which needs to be oiled and hand tighten only,

Yes there was a recall for the old set now that is fixed as per K&NView attachment 49724View attachment 49725.

Ditto, used them on everything from my BMW S1000RR to a 675 Daytona, Street Triple and several Thruxton’s, never had an issue if used correctly.

 

[Trevor]

If you have a carb. bike you may need to re-jet the carburetor especially if you have aftermarket exhausts and a K&N air filter.

 

[frankster]

If you have a carb. bike you may need to re-jet the carburetor especially if you have aftermarket exhausts and a K&N air filter.

Using stock exhaust with K&N air filter, still need to re-jet?

 

[Trevor]

Probably not, see how the bike goes. If there is a lot of 'popping' on overrun or the bike feels a bit gutless or the plugs look lighter than they are with the standard set up then look into it. My guess it will be ok.