I'm with Maverick and cliffsta on this one. Use an oiled filter! The little gain you'll get from using a K&N isn't worth the harm to your motor.

 

its only gonna harm it if he rides in dust...............do you?

If not, go K&N.
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Ferrari f50 gt history

 

Yes, this bike is built to be ridden offroad; therefore, I do ride in dusty conditions.

 

?? My K&N filter is oiled. It came with a small container of oil in the box it was shipped with. When I clean it, I use the spray cleaner, then re-apply the filter oil when I'm done.

The oil is a different consistency than that used for foam filters (not as sticky) but it's oil none-the-less.

That's not to say it doesn't suck in dusty areas, but there's definitely oil in that thar filter

 

Oh, I know the K&N's use oil. I used to have a short ram intake on my old '92 Miata that came with a K&N filter. It's mainly the design of the K&N that makes it exposed to dust.

 

Stick with a foam filter. K&N is great for the street, but what happens if they get wet? I've got a Moose filter, but have also used TwinAir and like them and use a spray on filter oil by Maxima. It's really sticky when it sets up and blocks out "some" water splashed up from water crossings. Make sure to keep the stock filter, clean and oiled, so you've always got a spare ready to go.

There are lots of postings on the different forums about air box set up. I'm not a fan of running an open lid air box because of the kind of water crossings we see in SE Ohio dual sport rides and enduros. I opted for replacing the stock snorkel with a KDX snorkel. It fits right in the KLX air box lid and lets in a lot more air.

 

Good lord, you folks take your air filters seriously.

I've been using a K&N filter for years on all types of vehicles in dusty florida sand...never a problem and always perfectly clean downstream of the filter during inspection while cleaning the filter.

Do they flow better than a good foam filter? I got no clue maybe, maybe not.

I like the lifetime replacement warranty on them.

Almost three years and 9K miles with one on my 06 klx..no problems, its seen lots of dusty sand, dusty fine clay and water with mud a few times. But it is a bitch to put in the first couple times.

 

I agree with finger I have one also and have a there filter sock for snowmobiles that keeps some dust and water off and out.

 

Its important to put a film of grease on the gasket surfaces of the k@n filter to insure a good seal. I had an 84 Honda 250 with the dual carbs that I rode in the mountains. It was so dusty a filter would plug in a day during the summer. I used a k@n on the bike and rode it for 7 years without a rebuild. I don't know what happened to the guys that hate the k@ns but its the first mod I do on any bike i get.

 

Hey all,

Thanks for all the thoughts and comments. I do ride in very dusty environments here in Southern California. The dust is so fine at Johnson Valley that it will start to choke a well oiled foam filter after only a day of good riding. A lot of the trails are desert sand and dust which is very fine, or a lot of decomposed granite from local mountain riding.

I have been using foam filters all my life with no problems. Based on the comments I think I will stick with the uni. I was just wondering if the K&N made that much of a difference.

Thanks,

Craig