03-08-2014, 05:01 AM
I've used K&N filters in several different vehicles, from a Ford V10 RV chassis to a Toyota Yaris. With the Ford, I noticed an immediate performance and gas mileage improvement, around 10 percent. Not so much with the Yaris, but with the large-displacement engine one would expect a more noticeable increase.
I just did an ECU reflash on another bike I have, along with a K&N filter, and the difference was astonishing. Fuel mileage is about the same but far more power everywhere. Most of that is due to the reflash which changes ignition timing as well as the fuel mapping but some is due to the increased airflow. The K&N was factored into the reflash.
K&N is pretty militant and aggressive about asserting that its products meet or exceed all OEM specifications and they have decades of research and data to prove it. I have confidence in their products and have good results with the performance enhancements, as well.
I am not much for loud pipes any more; with an ECU reflash and high-flow air filter such as the K&N, retaining the stock exhaust, BIG power and driveability gains are really just a few computer clicks away for many vehicles, cars and bikes alike. I have had so many loud noisy bikes I can't recall them all; I'm lucky I never got a citation, especially for my ear-splitting Harley.
Why not use the ECU as the way to get big power and driveability gains, keep the bike quiet and civil, and have a nice clean exhaust emissions into the bargain? Makes sense to me.
I just did an ECU reflash on another bike I have, along with a K&N filter, and the difference was astonishing. Fuel mileage is about the same but far more power everywhere. Most of that is due to the reflash which changes ignition timing as well as the fuel mapping but some is due to the increased airflow. The K&N was factored into the reflash.
K&N is pretty militant and aggressive about asserting that its products meet or exceed all OEM specifications and they have decades of research and data to prove it. I have confidence in their products and have good results with the performance enhancements, as well.
I am not much for loud pipes any more; with an ECU reflash and high-flow air filter such as the K&N, retaining the stock exhaust, BIG power and driveability gains are really just a few computer clicks away for many vehicles, cars and bikes alike. I have had so many loud noisy bikes I can't recall them all; I'm lucky I never got a citation, especially for my ear-splitting Harley.
Why not use the ECU as the way to get big power and driveability gains, keep the bike quiet and civil, and have a nice clean exhaust emissions into the bargain? Makes sense to me.