Oil filter - Kawi or something else

[gflint]

Did we ever get convincing evidence that there is something better than the stock Kawi oil filter?  I am talking real evidence, not seat of the pants or price.  The price of filters is not so broad that price is relevant.

[Pokey]

Not enough for me to switch from the OEM, although I would consider the K&N variant.

[Darknesses]

I am shocked by the amount of chatter that I see here for the Walmart Supertech filters.  Call me crazy but I would never put a generic filter on my bike. 

[Bob]

I don't know which filter is scientifically proven to be best. I just use the K&N because they work well, with a reputation for quality. But mainly I like the welded on nut for easy removal! 


Now to sit back and watch! 

[Conrad]

K&N for me, it's built lilke a tank and it's easy to get off with the welded on nut.

[stevewfl]

I don't know which filter is scientifically proven to be best. I just use the K&N because they work well, with a reputation for quality. But mainly I like the welded on nut for easy removal! 


Now to sit back and watch! 

word!  thats all i've used for 33,000 miles on mine.  plus on my other bikes, and especially track bikes because the KnN already have the hole drilled for the safety wiring

[jonathan]

For what this bike cost me I figure I can spring for the OEM filter and not have any worries.

[Joncon11]

OEM for me as long as my warranty is still active, and probably beyond that because they are easy to get and there is no little voice in the back of my head asking, "is this filter going to be ok?".  I do agree that the price spread is not big enought to be a factor.  Even for my Ducati ($17  ) i'll stick with OEM.

[556ALPHA]

OEM for me as long as my warranty is still active, and probably beyond that because they are easy to get and there is no little voice in the back of my head asking, "is this filter going to be ok?".  I do agree that the price spread is not big enought to be a factor.  Even for my Ducati ($17  ) i'll stick with OEM.

+1

[Pynikal]

K&N for me, it's built lilke a tank and it's easy to get off with the welded on nut.

got a part number for them??

[Conrad]

got a part number for them??

Sure do.

KN-303

[OregonLAN]

I am shocked by the amount of chatter that I see here for the Walmart Supertech filters.  Call me crazy but I would never put a generic filter on my bike.

Then don't buy K&N filter either because they are made by the same company, Champion Laboratories...

Honestly, let's quit beating this to death. If you change your oil and filter every 3000 miles/3 months, any modern day filter should be suffice (unless it's defective of corse). If buying an OEM filter makes you feel better about your bike, then do it. Same goes for K&N, Amsoil or any other brand...

[gflint]

So far it appears there is no evidence of anything better except for price and convenience.  That is what I expected but every now and then somebody discovers something new.  I learned today K&N is now Chinese.  I am not sure if that is better or worse that Japanese.  Looks like I will stick with OEM for now.

[CigarSki®]

I just looked at the K&N, KN-303 that I have sitting here. It's made in Thailand.

[Jeremy Mitchell]

I just looked at the K&N, KN-303 that I have sitting here. It's made in Thailand.

So are my Michelin tires, does that make them any more inferior than the French made Michelins.  We now have tires and oil [filters] in the same thread, just waiting on KiPass to enter the discussion............ 

[CigarSki®]

Just pointing out it's lineage, I'm still gonna use i,t along with the one I just put in a little while ago.
 

[Pynikal]

So are my Michelin tires, does that make them any more inferior than the French made Michelins.  We now have tires and oil [filters] in the same thread, just waiting on KiPass to enter the discussion............ 

you always have that chit stirring spoon in your hand JD........

[Tom J.]

I guess we could do a simple, non-scientific experiment....  I installed one of those magnetic oil plugs on the last oil change, AND used a Walmart ST7317 (*GASP*) filter.
I'll take a look at how much dung gets collected by the magnet.  Maybe I'll take a clean paper towel and wipe the plug and save the paper towel.  Then I'll use a K&N-303 and see how much chit gets collected after the same amount of miles.  This may only indicate how much debris gets through the filter and not really speak to how well the oil gets filtered...hell, that may be one in the same-    it's an idea anyway-
 

[Conrad]

I guess we could do a simple, non-scientific experiment....  I installed one of those magnetic oil plugs on the last oil change, AND used a Walmart ST7317 (*GASP*) filter.
I'll take a look at how much dung gets collected by the magnet.  Maybe I'll take a clean paper towel and wipe the plug and save the paper towel.  Then I'll use a K&N-303 and see how much chit gets collected after the same amount of miles.  This may only indicate how much debris gets through the filter and not really speak to how well the oil gets filtered...hell, that may be one in the same-    it's an idea anyway-

That won't work. You're assuming that your motor will create the same amount of metal fines from one oil change to the other. That may be the case but then again, it may not be. 

[S.Ga.Rider]

I have used oem the last 2 changes, the one before that I used the supertech and I used it exclusively on my zx14, fz1, and several other bikes I have owned. Its is rated above a lot of others here.

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Consumables.html#OilFilters