K&N Air filter check (After Dust storm)

[OMJunk]

I can agree with both sides, but have run K&N in everything for 30 years w/o problems. That includes 80,000 miles on my current bike. It still runs great and uses zero oil. How many anti-K&N guys will put 80K on there bike?

[Cablebandit]

I will. I'm sure quite a few will be on dusty dirty roads as well.

[buls4evr]

  I can tell you that no bike-respecting off-road rider would use a gauze filter in their bike. Mostly it is foam, 2 stage like a Twin-Air or similar. The factory filter is always foam (including the one on a 1980 KDX). This is no accident as they catch the most dirt.

[JSharp]

  I can tell you that no bike-respecting off-road rider would use a gauze filter in their bike. Mostly it is foam, 2 stage like a Twin-Air or similar. The factory filter is always foam (including the one on a 1980 KDX). This is no accident as they catch the most dirt.

My 1980 KDX 250 came with a K&N from the factory in Lincoln.

[bikerider]

I can agree with both sides, but have run K&N in everything for 30 years w/o problems. That includes 80,000 miles on my current bike. It still runs great and uses zero oil. How many anti-K&N guys will put 80K on there bike?

+1

I have run K&N's for lots of miles on my street bikes. For example, my 99 ZX11 had a K&N in it its whole life. When I sold the bike last year with 78K miles it used no oil between 3K mile oil changes.

My 05 ST1300 has had a K&N in it since 3K miles it now has 93K and counting on it and it  uses no oil between 5K mile oil changes.

I use oiled foam filters in my dual sport bikes.

Forgot to mention, I live in Texas where it is real dusty. YMMV

[OMJunk]

I should add, those 91,000 miles. I live on a dirt road, a mile to pavement, in a technical desert environment. Powder dust sometime 1" or more deep.

[buls4evr]

My 1980 KDX 250 came with a K&N from the factory in Lincoln.

 I am scratching my head on that one j-sharp. You sure the shop did not do that where you bought it? My 83 KDX 250 and every other Kaw I ever bought had either paper or more likely a grey foam filter in them.They lasted about a month.... Then rider bought Filtron, Twin-Air or some good filter for them.

[JSharp]

 I am scratching my head on that one j-sharp. You sure the shop did not do that where you bought it? My 83 KDX 250 and every other Kaw I ever bought had either paper or more likely a grey foam filter in them.They lasted about a month.... Then rider bought Filtron, Twin-Air or some good filter for them.

Nope, I saw the bike come out of the crate. The '80 models were a John Penton design during the brief time he was employed by Kawasaki. My bike was assembled in Lincoln and it seems more like a throw together of Kawasaki and aftermarket parts than a Japanese motorcycle. It has the K&N, a Vesco petcock, came with Goodyear tires etc.

[M.Brane]

 Yeah OEM is the only way to go. Just ask my F150 that had a K&N installed at 33K. 225K now & doesn't burn a drop of oil despite all the local blowing dust, and trips to the desert. It gets cleaned & re-oiled every 2 years whether it needs it or not.