K&N Air filter...worth it?
 

Hey all....I'm new to this site. Actually, I'm no to this bike.

Quick background. I was involved in a major motorcycle accident last year. I ended up loosing my right leg below my knee to a guard rail. I now have a prosthetic and I'm getting back into riding.

I just purchased a 2004 SV650S with a twin brothers slip on and a power commander. The power commander did not come with the cables or software, so I myself cannot change any of the mapping.

The guy I bought it from did not install a K&N air filter. After reading some of the posts, it seems as if this is a worth while mod. Is this the case? Should I invest in the air filter? If so, would I need to get the power commander remapped?

A K&N is definatly worth it... makes the bike sound nicer, more responsive and the induction noise is great.... as for the set-up... you may well need to get it set up... but i depends on what the PC set-up is at the moment... you may get away with it....

I am sure if i have mis-informed you, then someone will advise you properly... but i think i am right...

If the Power commander has a USB connection (one of the type III has), you can plug it into a computer and upload a map to it. The software and maps are on the power commander website.

Software for your pc here:

http://www.powercommander.com/suppsoft.shtml

Maps here:

http://www.powercommander.com/suppsuzmaps.shtml

I'd strongly recommend you get it setup properly on a dyno if you're going to change the filter. Each bike is different and even if you find an exact match for your exhaust/bike/filter the downloaded map might not be perfect.

Would it be worth fitting the K&N to a bog standard SV? How much of a difference would it make to the performance of a K4 FI?

Sorry for hijacking the thread... :oops:

Realistically, a barely noticable difference. The noise will be alot nicer, though.

Huge thanks to all that replied.

Philc2000...those websites rock man....I really appreciate that.

Ideally, I would need to use it on a dyno...as you mentioned. Unfortunately, I really don't want to spend any more money then I have to. I was looking at the SV650 maps, and noticed that the supplied map for the twin brothers exhaust is the same for a stock or aftermarket air filter.

This means....that according to their website, the same map is used regardless of the air filter. The bike runs flawlessly now. Based on that, I'm assuming that I could just drop the K&N filter in and not need a new map.

I'm I assuming correctly?

I disagree... after fitting mine, the faster pull through to the top end (7-11k rpm) was noticeable.

It's worth buying one, because its a re-usable one... Yes its £42, but you can just wash it, re-oil it & use it again, as opposed to the stock filter which you throw away each time...

4 stock filter changes & its paid for itself anyway IMHO :wink:

I do think the bike performs slightly better with it fitted too :twisted:

Cloggsy took the words from my mouth, I can only emphasize it now!
Yes, go for it and buy one. The bike will sound better and more special, maintenance will be cheaper in the long run and it doesn't do any harm to the engine. I moved my jet needle one clip though to have more fuel to mix with the increased air from the K&N. Everthing balanced out nicely; especially after fitting a Renegade exhaust.
The only downside is that I'm consuming more fuel now.
My fault not the bike's. I can't stop revving! :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by "zunkus I moved my jet needle one clip though to have more fuel to mix with the increased air from the K&N. Everthing balanced out nicely; especially after fitting a Renegade exhaust. The only downside is that I'm consuming more fuel now. My fault not the bike's. I can't stop revving! :)

Obviously that would not be the same for the K4 which is fuel injected. Would the ECU(?) remap itself to compensate for the extra air?