K&N Filter install
 

Hello,

I'm new Superhawk owner, the bike is a 2003, and this is my first time writting in. My question is, I just replaced my stock air filter with a K&N filter.
I noticed that the stock air filter had 2 rectangle cones that go into
what appear as breathers. The K&N filter doesn't have these. Is this somthing
that I should worry about? Should the foam material be removed? Or is it
okay being left in there w/o anything holding them in place?



Thank You
timdske

you do have a jet kit right?

I was told the bike did. How would I be sure?

timdske

whatever jets came in the bike before with the stock filter won't work with the k&N so you'll need a new kit

Missing Plugs
 

If you bought the filter new, it should have come with 2 rubber plugs that cover those breather holes. Double check the box that the filter came in to see if you can find them. If those holes are allowed to vent directly into the airbox, the float bowls in the carbs will have negative atmospheric pressure which will cause the engine to run like a 3 legged horse at the Kentucky Derby. (well, maybe not quite that bad)

If you purchased the filter second hand, the seller may have neglected to include these plugs with the filter. Get ahold of that person and request the missing parts.

FWIW my stock jetted '02 seems to run just fine with the K&N filter...

.....everything he just said....yeah it's supposed to come with two rubber triangular plugs that fit in there.

Thanks guys,
Like a dumb @ss I didn't look in the box, I found the pieces and the bike runs
great.

timdske

So really just how bad is it if those rubber plugs aren't included?

If you use the K+N without the triangular plugs, the motor will suck in the little foam filters the plugs are designed to cover and the motor will drawn in unfiltered air from beneath the air cleaner box.

is there anywhere to get those plugs or the foam filters? My filter is not a K & N it was an aftermarket stock replacement, and definetely didn't come with the plugs

As far as I know, the K&N is the only air filter for the VTR that requires plugs. The foam filters are a stock Honda part.

I was missing my plugs... k&n mailed me some at no cost.

I'VE GOT AN "02" SUPER HAWK N AS FAR AS I KNOW, I'VE GOT STOCK JETS. I DID A BAFFLECTOMY N IT RAN FINE BUT I JUST PUT A K & N AIR FILTER ON N IT'S MISSN LIKE HELL BETWEEN 2500 - 3500 RPM'S. SO NOW WHAT ?

search button and lower case letters

I take it you must be a jet kit salesman... or have stock in Factory Pro. :rolleyes:

lol, well he obviously used the search button since he found this old thread... but yes my ears do hurt. :shock:

search thread actually helped me, wow.

alas i still have a question. the foam in those breather ports was disintegrating so i took them out. there was actually bits of foam inside the post filter area of the air box. my oem air filter was a mess so it is not going back in. if i order the k&n filter do i need those foam filters or do the two block off pieces eliminate the need for that foam?

Let the K&N bashing begin.

I've been using one for I'd guess 6-7 years with ZERO issues. I'd invite any one of the nay sayers to ride my Hawk...
Seriously, I live in south central Pennsylvania, let's go for a ride.

I was just hoping to incite heated controversy.
I really have no idea how a K&N would perform on my bike. I plan on finding out as I'm due for an air filter replacement. I have a K&N that came with (bonus) an air box I picked up from Ebay. Who knows, it might be better than a porn star moving in next door.

K&N's suck harder than porn stars, but, at least they aren't as bad as the stock Honda filter.

Who would want more air entering the engine anyway... asthma is a good thing right?

i ended up ordering an oem honda filter. i also ordered the two little breather filters. my original breather filters were crumbling so i would rather use something else, but what? even a piece of t shirt cotton material would be better than those oem foam pieces.

Before I read on the net that it was a Bad Idea, I too installed a K&N filter into my stock VTR. No problems here either after more than 2 years.

Prediction: in 2017 several forum members will try K&N filters as a direct result of this newly revived thread.:rolleyes:

Should I use a K&N air filter, or should I just pour playground sand directly into the carbs while holding the throttle WFO?

:D

better than OEM air feeelter....
 

Ok so I don't wont to fall for any Bad Ideas™ from the web, haha, so if not a K&N what do you guys recommend for better air flow than the stock OEM filter? My 2001 has Two brothers exhaust and I assume has been rejetted (it came with the pipes on it) because it runs pretty nice, but I need to replace my air feeelter...has stock one now, probably original.

Just replace with standard filter if it's running alright.

Might be worth getting it on a dyno to see if it's optimally set up for the exhaust.

filter
 

Honda OEM or are those Emgo filters ok?