K&N-Any real difference?

[MPittma100]

I am thinking about going to the K&N air filter. Those that have, have you seen/felt any real difference in performance? Also, what is the air box drill mod?

MP
1979 XS100SF

[natemoen]

Only real benefit I see for k&n filters is that they are cleanse and reusable. Saves Monet in the long run.

Airbox drilling....don't waste your time. I covered the holes up in mine.

[MPittma100]

Good Point

Yeah,

I guess that you would have to have a really hopped up engine to see any real difference in air filters. The air box thing did not sound like a really good idea to me either.

MP

[jetmechmarty]

Only real benefit I see for k&n filters is that they are cleanse and reusable. Saves Monet in the long run.

Airbox drilling....don't waste your time. I covered the holes up in mine.

Ditto! You buy it only once.

[MPittma100]

Jetting Change

Is there a need to rejet carbs for the K&N filter? If so, how much more jet?

MP

[natemoen]

Shouldn't need to change jets, but watch the plug.

[jetmechmarty]

In my case, no rejet.

[Rasputin]

K+N pods vs K+N filter replacement may give different results. I have pods one one bike that did indeed need rejetting. I have 3, yet uninstalled filter replacements here that I am dying to try. I have one with a drilled airbox and another with a stock airbox. As soon as I can figure out how to afford to have another bike (insurance wise) on the road I will try one out and see what I find.

[MPittma100]

No Rejet

Ok, good info. Will not rejet and will keep an eye out on the plugs.

MP

[Ice7891]

I have a K&N on all my vehicles just not on the bike yet and you dont feel much of a change in power unless you have more performance parts to go with it. It is bettor for the motor because it breaths easier and you never have to buy an other air filter again.

[motoman]

Only real benefit I see for k&n filters is that they are cleanse and reusable. Saves Monet in the long run.

Airbox drilling....don't waste your time. I covered the holes up in mine.

goodob Nate! All the holes do is create more noise, plus they screw up the velocity affect coming from the snorkel........if you haven't cut it off.

[Cobia]

I did all three !!

Motoman, et al....
I've had the K&N filter, drilled airbox, and shortened snorkel for about a year and a half now. I cut the snorkel about 6 months after I installed the filter and drilled the box, and mainly to make it easier to remove the carbs. The only performance difference I notice is that the engine seems to breathe easier and when you roll on the power it's very smooth and instantly responsive. There's no hesitation or gaps in the delivery of it. Granted, I'm exhausting through a 4X1 Kerker and I do run my floats a little richer, but you twist and you go.!!
And yeah, the MPGs are not what they should be, and smelling the fuel fumes from the short snorkel is a bit unsettling, but they're small trade offs for having all that dependable HP at your behest.
So it's not so much a matter of an increase in performance, power, or speed, it's more a matter of how consistently the HP is delivered to you.

[doctorjay13]

The K&N filter was cheaper than a disposable replacement filter...and for what they want for the disposable filter, I believe the filter pleats should be a little less like recycled cardboard and a little bit more like appropriate filter media. No rejet required and running the stock, unmolested airbox. No noticeable change in performance...

[James England]

THe engine breathes more easily. Filter washable. Good for 1 million miles according to K&N. I have one on my XJR1300, with other mods, and it definitely makes a difference.

[trbig]

It is bettor for the motor because it breaths easier and you never have to buy an other air filter again.

I've read many opinions that say the engine breathes easier because it doesn't filter as well as other brands. Makes sense to me, but I have no proof.