Air Filter Maintenance

Hi y'all!

I'm really hesitant to create yet another new thread about air filters! But I haven't really found the information I need in other posts...

I serviced my K2 at the weekend. The stock air filter has done 6k miles now and is a bit crudded. However, despite Mr Haynes claiming that the stock filter can be cleaned with a blast of air, others wiser than me claim that this is not an effective clean. Replacement is necessary.

So I start to think "rather than pay £15 for a new stock one I'll buy a foam one that I can keep clean".

The only thing is, I don't want to get into poor fuelling territory. I don't have the time, money or inclination to bugger about with new jets. So, I turn yet again to the org for advice!

Can anyone recommend a foam (cleanable) filter that is not so free-flowing as to necessitate fuelling mods?

K&N, despite being paper, claim to be cleanable with a 'recharge kit' (£12-ish) True? Will require fuelling tinkering?

Or am I better off just replacing the OEM filter?

[Biker Biggles]

You need to go to Hein Gerrike and buy five litres of oil for £25.With it should come a free oil filter and a free air filter for your bike.When your oil needs changing apply the above parts and Bob's your uncle.

hi,

I have a K&N fitted to my SV650s pointy, and have not noticed the need to re-map the bike, it has a CCC race pipe on as well so maybe it could do with it, but seeing as it seems to run fine, not lean or backfiring etc i will leave it.

anyhow, i would reccomend a filter like K&N as for £35 you only need to clean it every year rather than replace it. so taking in the £15 for the cleaning it you are talking £50 for a fair few years worth of air filters!, value for money IMO

I've just fitted a Pipercross foam filter to my bike. Ran it for 30 miles without feeling any effect to the bike. It's gone in for a dyno (to check) though as a new exhaust was fitted as well.

You could also look at BMC (non race version) & K&N cleanable filters.

[Spanner Man]

Morning all.
K&N or BMC filters are made from a cotton compound, hence being washable.
Some bikes are more adversely effected than others, when fitted with either.
I have found that as long as the bike has a standard, or road legal exhaust, SV's seem to be ok with either of the above fitted.
Often a tweak out on the mixture screws (if they're not seized) is all that is required to obtain smooth running, but the same can be said of a bike running standard everything!
My own preference is for BMC filters, as the filter body is more substantial than that of a K&N and doesn't fall to bits quite as easily.
The cleaning kits usually contain enough cleaner and oil to clean the filter 2 or 3 times, as long as your careful & it's not excessively dirty.

Cheers.

I've got the K&N one on a K4. Doesn't seem to upset fuelling, just less hassle when it comes to service time. If you add an aftermarket exhaust on top of the K&N, then you'll probably need to sort the fuelling.