I'll chime in on this one. One of the main things that K&N and [presumably] Amsoil is the *way* they filter the air.* While it might seem counter-productive, the holes that allow air to pass through the element are actually *larger* than the holes in cheap paper air filters. Because the element is foam and 3-dementional, the air has to actually snake around the element for a bit before it can pass. That is where the filter oil comes in - The oil makes the dirt stick. As the air turns, the heavier dirt goes straight and gets caught in the filter oil. Fortunatley, the element has a lot of surface area (from the pleats) that the small amount of restriction cause by this is negated by volume. The large pores allow large volume to flow.
Compare that to a standard cheapo paper element, that works like a mesh screen (as we would expect a filter to). The pores need to be so small as to filter the air, that the end up restricting air flow. Even with equal surface area, there is still significant restriction put on the air as it passes. I believe that the proper term is that K&N filters are more 'voulmetrically efficient'. They will have higher throughput, with all other things being equal. *The oil filters work in a similar fashion. Also, if they cost 2-3 times as much, but last 2-3 times as long as regular filters, the price becomes equal. You will have other gains such as more ponies, and improved mileage. - JO On Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 1:58 PM, stanley/ Randolph <[email protected]>wrote: > Personally, I don't feel it is "oil like;" I am learning of another > alternative to K&N, which company has become quite proud of their pleated, > gauze - and - chicken wire, oil impregnated filter. > There is another company selling the same but I don't remember the name, > since it's not readily available here any more where I live. > If you can get the foam in bulk to wrap around your K&N when you receive > it, Paul, I would recommend that, as it will keep the filter cleaner > longer. It's what they do with lawn mower filters these days, instead of > just the paper element filters they are now using in them. > Of course, lawn mowers, when used over patchy lawns with dirt that creates > dust when dry, have probably a greater need than your bike, I would think. > > ** > Stanley > > ------------------------------ > *From:* Javier Garcia <[email protected]> > > *To:* [email protected] > *Sent:* Fri, March 18, 2011 1:34:21 PM > > *Subject:* Re: [Nighthawk Lovers] K&N filters > > Paul, I think you have the tendency of creating oil-like thread.... I don't > its is the thread itself, it is you! > ;-) > Javier. > > On Fri, Mar 18, 2011 at 2:00 PM, Paul <[email protected]> wrote: > >> * >> >> * >> *Well, here's what I've learned about **buying **K&N filters. There are >> PLENTY of places that offer discounts on K&N's price, but ALL of them (that >> I have found so far) also tack on a fairly hefty shipping charge which ends >> up negating the cost savings.* >> * >> * >> *K&N, on the other hand, ships for FREE (albeit ground...but what do you >> expect?). * >> * >> * >> *So...I think I'm gonna send off for an air-filter via K&N's company >> website.* >> * >> * >> *Paul* >> -- >> * >> >> Paul LeBoutillier <http://www.facebook.com/paul.lebout> >> <http://paul-on-life.blogspot.com/> >> * >> * >> * >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en.
