Re: Air Filter Test Results

["Steve Makohin" <wateredg@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello all,

My (possibly incorrect) understanding is that the dyno says if you remove 
the air filter entirely (obviously not recommended), and all air intake 
restrictions from an Oilhead, you get no appreciable increase in power.

This is consistent with what my BMW mechanic, a professional engine tuner 
and BMW bike aficionado, told me. According to him, if you want more power 
from an Oilhead, you can't just "bolt it" on or off -- you have to make real 
changes to the engine, like valves, higher compression pistons, cams, etc. 
And the additional power will likely affect something else, like more top 
end at the cost of low-end torque, dips in the power-delivery curve, etc.

My BMW bike philosophy is: Enjoy it for what it is. If you want more power, 
get another bike.

- -Steve Makohin
 '01 R1100S/ABS
 Oakville, Ontario, Canada


- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Brown" <tbrown@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "BMW Oilhead List" <oilheads@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 10:26 AM
Subject: Air Filter Test Results


> Wayne:
>
> K&N filters do flow a lot more air than a paper filter, but the problem 
> is,
> most oilheads, especially RTs, have air boxes with these long snorkels on 
> them
> that restrict the airflow more than the stock filter does anyway.   This 
> is
> part of tuning the bike for low end torque and quiet running and 
> protecting
> the intake from water etc. when riding in adverse conditions.   No 
> aftermarket
> filter will help unless the airbox is modified to let more air in.   I 
> ride
> too many long tours etc. to mess with my bike for 2 HP.
>
> -TB
>
>>Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 17:44:25 -0400 (EDT)
> From: "Wayne Woodruff" <wayne@xxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: Air filter test results
>
>> I recently conducted some air filter tests including K&N and Uni sticky
>> foam. These may be of general biker interest but esp. to R1100S owners
>> or they may provide an illustration of demented amateur test methods.
>>
>
> A dyno test was done years ago by Don Eilenberger showing that the K&N
> doesn't add the HP that some people claim.
>
> http://www.eilenberger.net/R1100R/index.htm
>
> Your paper is interesting. A a table summarizing the air flows would make
> it easier to read.  It's hard to compare picking numbers out of the text.
>
> Wayne 

------------------------------