[jjminch]

Morning,

Any advantage to going with a high flow filter in the stock air box? When searching most results were on the subject of pods which I have no intention of doing. I don’t put enough miles on the bike to care about re-usability and cleaning it, just if there is a performance angle.

Next up- is there a good online retailer or forum sponsor for buying OEM oil filters and fluids? I’m never near my dealer so I’d rather just order it from somewhere.

 

[jagpapaw]

I can't speak to the air filter issue, but for fluids, etc., I've had very good experience with Beemer Boneyard. They have various "kits" of fluids, filters, crush washers, etc., based on your needs and/or BMW model.

 

[TimC]

I had a K&N air filter in my old Honda VFR. Each spring I would clean and recharge (re-oil) it, and it was good for the rest of the year. But it was a little easier to get to in that bike than in the R9T. With this bike, and since air filters aren't very expensive, I'd rather just replace it. And the one time that's been done so far I went with an OEM filter. I don't know if changing to a high flow model will mean having to remap the fuel injection, or if the bike's ECU will adjust automatically. But I would think any performance gain would be pretty minimal.

As for buying oils and fluids, I've purchased oil change kits (4 liters of oil, an OEM oil filter, and a crush washer) on eBay a few times already. The package price is usually competitive with the local BMW dealers, and maybe a little better. It's more a matter of convenience for me.

 

[jjminch]

Thanks all. Always forget about eBay.

 

[Baloo]

Yeah you only have to change that filter every 12,000 miles so what's 20 bucks I don't think you need any higher airflow then was provided by the OEM. But that's my opinion and I'm sure there's going to be people chiming in.

 

[Kowalski]

you wont have any performance increase with a high airflow washable filter + you need to clean them pretty often because of how the air intake works on the 9t, the snorkel is in full airflow and sucks in dust and flies etc way more than on other bikes that have a more hidden air intake. after 5000kms my k&n was so dirty, unbelievable. just go with the oem paper filter and youre good.

 

[Bobber101]

I recall reading on a VW diesel forum years ago that they tested oem paper filters and found they would flow more air than the engine could use. Now its possible that the oem BMW bike filters dont have the same ability, but I doubt it. Personally I think K&N and other aftermarket filters are a waste of money, but that's just my opinion.

 

[vagueout]

you wont have any performance increase with a high airflow washable filter + you need to clean them pretty often because of how the air intake works on the 9t, the snorkel is in full airflow and sucks in dust and flies etc way more than on other bikes that have a more hidden air intake. after 5000kms my k&n was so dirty, unbelievable. just go with the oem paper filter and youre good.

I have a K+N cleanable filter in my u g s and glad that I have, for the very reason you mention ie the air inlet takes a lot of unobstructed air hence the filter is seriously dirty in a relatively short milage. Running paper filters clogged up is a no go for me, removing and cleaning/oiling the K+N to me is a no brainer in that I have been using K+N air filters for 30 or 40 years. I wash the filter in warm water and dish wash detergent , hose out to rinse, let it dry and pour or spray on the new red oil. Re performance, the K+N will absolutely increase response and the fact that you can clean it way before a comparative paper filter is choking maintains that performance edge. Currently have three boxers all with K+N's.

 

[jjminch]

I can't speak to the air filter issue, but for fluids, etc., I've had very good experience with Beemer Boneyard. They have various "kits" of fluids, filters, crush washers, etc., based on your needs and/or BMW model.

I assume this kit will work. Not sure if the trans or rear drive had ever been done.

Any specialized tools needed?

Hexhead & Camhead R1200RT/ ST/ R/ S/ GS/ GS ADV & R nineT 15W50 Engine (Synthetic), Transmission & Final Drive (Synth) Oil Change Kit

4 liter jug of high quality German Liqui-Moly Street 4T Synth 15W-50 engine oil, 1.25 liters of Liqui-Moly 75W90 Synthetic gear oil, plus ...

www.beemerboneyard.com

 

[David37]

I like Max BMW, free shipping on orders over $99. I use K&N air filters on all of my street bikes. I clean them once a year and I'm good to go for another year.

MAX BMW Motorcycles

 

[Chopper_Bob]

Using K&N filter also creates less impact on the environment, all these airfilters that get thrown away. I Have a K&N Airfilter on my BMW Z1 for the last 30yrs, saved me buying and disposing of at least 15 airfilters.

 

[jagpapaw]

I assume this kit will work. Not sure if the trans or rear drive had ever been done.

Any specialized tools needed?

Hexhead & Camhead R1200RT/ ST/ R/ S/ GS/ GS ADV & R nineT 15W50 Engine (Synthetic), Transmission & Final Drive (Synth) Oil Change Kit

4 liter jug of high quality German Liqui-Moly Street 4T Synth 15W-50 engine oil, 1.25 liters of Liqui-Moly 75W90 Synthetic gear oil, plus ...

www.beemerboneyard.com

No "specialized" tools required. You'll need the necessary torx bits/wrenches & oil filter wrench. And if you share my skills, plenty of rags to clean up the spilled oil on the garage floor.

 

[jjminch]

Got the torx bits, just saw something about a wrench somewhere. Assuming my universal strap wrench doesn’t work I’ll have to get that one.

 

[Tim 2154]

You can’t get a filter that flows significantly better than OEM paper without sacrificing filtration. Considering this is not a high performance engine, I can’t see why you would want to make that trade but it’s up to you.

As for the cost of reusable filters it’s hard to see that ever working out in your favour unless you regularly ride in very dusty conditions.

 

[vagueout]

You can’t get a filter that flows significantly better than OEM paper without sacrificing filtration. Considering this is not a high performance engine, I can’t see why you would want to make that trade but it’s up to you.

As for the cost of reusable filters it’s hard to see that ever working out in your favour unless you regularly ride in very dusty conditions.

I think you may be missing the point I made about the R9T catching crap in the filter way sooner than other BMW boxers due to the inlet not being behind bodywork etc but pretty much out in the breeze, it cakes up at about 10,000klm. As to sacrificing filtration by using a K+N , every time I remove one for a clean/re-oil I run a clean soft tissue paper around the air box to see if any fine dust got through the filter, the tissues come out pristine. I don't know if you do your own maintenance , if so you'll find the filter surprisingly dirty. A lot of owners here tend not to keep a bike for any great length of time so in that case the K +N likely seems a little pointless, but if keeping a bike or car for the long haul they do start to make sense. I just looked through some old maint. logs I keep, I've been using K+N filters for 41 years!

 

[Tim 2154]

I think you may be missing the point I made about the R9T catching crap in the filter way sooner than other BMW boxers due to the inlet not being behind bodywork etc but pretty much out in the breeze, it cakes up at about 10,000klm. As to sacrificing filtration by using a K+N , every time I remove one for a clean/re-oil I run a clean soft tissue paper around the air box to see if any fine dust got through the filter, the tissues come out pristine. I don't know if you do your own maintenance , if so you'll find the filter surprisingly dirty. A lot of owners here tend not to keep a bike for any great length of time so in that case the K +N likely seems a little pointless, but if keeping a bike or car for the long haul they do start to make sense. I just looked through some old maint. logs I keep, I've been using K+N filters for 41 years!

I do my own maintenance but my Classic is an on road machine and I haven’t noticed any great buildup of dust. Hardly surprising given its usage but other people will have different experiences and your point about the air intake design certainly makes sense.

I have done plenty of reading about filters in the past and oiled filters never came out on top in independent testing for filtration. It could have changed in the last few years but I haven’t heard of any real improvements in the technology. I’m also not saying it filters poorly but I personally don’t see the point unless you really are having to clean it a lot. I mean I can buy roughly 4 filters for the price of a K&N, plus oil and cleaning products. It’s less work/mess and it filters better, so that’s where I spend my money.