04-05-2014, 01:00 PM
I'm pretty sure I am not missing the point. I agree, flow is very easy to measure. I gave an explanation of how very different the physics between the two types of filters are, and why that accounts for the greater flow of the K&N. This difference widens with engine rpm and HP output.
Here's a little image taken from a comprehensive test which clearly shows K&N having the least restriction to flow by a wide margin, compared to several others along with an OEM unit:
![[Image: 0d6180ada484369a129dce540926edae.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/201404/0d6180ada484369a129dce540926edae.jpg)
The K&N did pass more dust, but whether that would be significant with respect to any real difference in engine wear is not known, since K&N does in fact meet OEM specifications and warranty requirements.
A link to the entire test follows; the test is not favorable to replacing OEM with aftermarket and asserts, wrongly, that engines simply cannot take advantage of the extra airflow of the K&N/similar unless heavily modified. That's uninformed at best and really borders on the disingenuous. Certainly, a family car with a low-revving four-cylinder engine, such as a base-model Camry or Accord, will not get much out of a K&N, as it's not designed to make its power in the upper third of the tachometer. But our motorcycle is, and it can benefit from the increased flow, on both the intake and exhaust sides of the cylinder head.
http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html
Here's a little image taken from a comprehensive test which clearly shows K&N having the least restriction to flow by a wide margin, compared to several others along with an OEM unit:
The K&N did pass more dust, but whether that would be significant with respect to any real difference in engine wear is not known, since K&N does in fact meet OEM specifications and warranty requirements.
A link to the entire test follows; the test is not favorable to replacing OEM with aftermarket and asserts, wrongly, that engines simply cannot take advantage of the extra airflow of the K&N/similar unless heavily modified. That's uninformed at best and really borders on the disingenuous. Certainly, a family car with a low-revving four-cylinder engine, such as a base-model Camry or Accord, will not get much out of a K&N, as it's not designed to make its power in the upper third of the tachometer. But our motorcycle is, and it can benefit from the increased flow, on both the intake and exhaust sides of the cylinder head.
http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html