True. The tube and hole in the airbox is on the "dirty" side of the air filter, so you really don't get dirt in the engine. In fact, maybe because of the position of the exit hole, it doesn't even seem to draw much of anything up into the box. It's an environmental issue as to why it's capped shut.

 

Thanks for all the responses everyone. Seems like a pretty nuance issue. I lost the plug somewhere in the parking lot so it will stay unplugged.

Looks like I will just tape up the airbox to keep junk from getting for now. I'll buy a new one one I grow out of the poor college student phase