K & N questions

surely there's mileage in the lower maintainence of a k&n filter?

[northwind]

Originally Posted by Carl PO51 MYV

surely there's mileage in the lower maintainence of a k&n filter?

Yup, they're washable... But they cost as much as 3 stock filters, and there's a chance it'll impair the bike's performance. People usually mention damage here, but I don't think any of the K&Ns would run an SV lean enough to burn valve seats or piston crowns. Maybe they could, but I don't think they make enoug of a difference to the jetting.

Originally Posted by northwind

But that's also why the benefit (if you get one) doesn't justify the cost.

Of course it does. I've had mine for two years and haven't had to replace the air filter. Sounds like a bargain to me.

[northwind]

Yep, but on the other hand you could have been riding around with a hole in the power at 6000 RPM for that 2 years- though yours sounds pretty healthy as it revs through Some people find they get the hesitation and power loss at the crossover point. If I was fitting an OEM replacement, it'd be the BMC Road- it's designed to be an exact washable replacement, the K&N's a failed race filter

Replacement schedule for standard is 11,000 miles in the book- not that many SVs cover more than 33,000 miles, which is what it takes to make it pay for itself.

I'm very biased, can you tell?

I've done around 60k, I don't have a hole in the power, I don't have any hesitation (well only from the rider ) and a failed race filter for a failed race rider. Perfect.

Can you tell that I am also biased

[northwind]

You, though, are not "most people" And never will be I think. K&N and exhaust can lean the SV out enough to cause problems, just didn't on yours. (though, do me an experiment? Cruise it at 5000rpm and 6000rpm, and snatch the throttle open, see what happens)

How often do you clean it, by the way? Mine only lasted about 50 miles before I got the Race RS.

[21QUEST]

Northy, I'm not saying anything

Cheers
Ben