K&N Filter Options

My plan is to buy a carbon fiber partial claw and add the three K&N's.

My ?: What are my K&N air filter options do I have with this set up other than the RU2780 (the one's that Flip sells)?

What I would like is to find a similar filter like the RU2780, but with the Xstreme top.

I would like to just ues the RU2780's and just be done with it, but the tops of them needs somthing on them to dress them up, who makes covers or what would work?

Not looking for chrome.

I did do a search.

If you come up with a tapered filter with similar dimensions to the 2780's that has the x-stream top, let me know the number and I'll get you a price. Far as I know K&N might have one but with over 6500 filters to choose from, I don't have any idea which one is suitable for the R3 other than the 2780's.

If you put the overwtap on the filters, it covers the black tops with red.

Sidecar Flip,

How tight will the overwrap be, because a K&N rep had told me that being that these 2780’s tapper down and out, the covers would loose fitting.

How are the fit? Do you have any pictures with covers on these? Looking for a tight fit, not looking to have the covers blowing around.

I have the red covers. The elastic at the bottom holds them on tight.
However, with a cut bearclaw, my leg rubs on the rear filter cover and is wearing it through at thw top seam

There are not a lot of filters that are going to fit under the unmolested bearclaw other than the RU-2780 - there are a few, but not many. If you are willing to cut or remove the bearclaw, your choices increase - and you can decrease air temps, while increasing flow and performance even more. Even the RU-2780 produces approximately 3% more output with the bearclaw removed - but you will need to correctly tune for best results. And even more output is possible with higher flowing filters - significantly more.

If you go on the K&N site, you can perform a product search for filters (round, oval, conical, tapered, chrome top, X-treme top, etc.) with specific dimensions.

Search for filters with a flange inside diameter from 62mm-65mm and you will find a host of choices including this one:



Even DNA Filters offer a couple of options that will fit on the throttle body flange.
Part numbers OV-6500-16 and OV-6200-7 are just two options from DNA.

Locate a filter that will fit you needs, and with as much flow as possible. Excessive flow will keep the filter from becoming dirty quickly and reduce performance within a short amount of time. You would be amazed how quickly the RU-2780 performance can be reduced with even a small amount of filter clogging - and it is hindered by flow restriction to start.

Also, realize that locating the air temp sensor so that it picks up air at the same temp as is entering the engine is important. The sensor data is only updated every 7-10 seconds, so keeping the temp correct, and not excessively heated from the engine, radiatior, etc. is important for corrections to air temp in the ECU and best/smoothest output.

Over the past several years, I have tested a great many filters, air/heat dams, velocity stacks, and much more. There are substantial gains to be had when improving the intake system. I have tested flow on a bench through the complete intake and head, temps with K-type thermocouples, velocity with pitot probes, and restriction with a magnehelic gauge. You will be amazed just how restrictive some of these common filters are, and how quickly they become even more so with a small amount of dust/debris.

The 2.3L engine needs a given amount of air to become efficient. As you improve the exhaust system the intake demands increase substantially - even more so with compression, head flow, and camshaft improvements.

Simply decreasing intake air temps 7.4º F will increase output 1% and improve response - even at very low engine speeds. You might be impressed how much it is possible to decrease heated intake air from the engine and radiator. Who wouldn't want their bike to have the crisp response of a cool evening evening on a hot Summer day... and the evening air becomes even better.



I hope this helps.

I've used the filter covers for the RU-2780's by Outerwears and K&N, they both fit the filters nicely and do not flap around at all. I have the intake temp probe mounted in the first filter. Just cut a hole in the filter where you want it, use a hot glue gun to create a "grommet" for it to fit into. The wire harness for the sensor will need to be lengthened a few inches but that's just a matter of splicing two wires. The filter cover hole is best made with a soldering Iron, use it to melt a hole for the sensor, that way it won't fray.
I'm using the RU-2780's mainly because they are the only ones that will fit without modifying the bear claw. I did trim some off the claw later on so that they are exposed without showing the tops and the combination looks pretty good, not too radical, not too stock.
This is an area where you can get creative and do something unique. The claw can be cut with a saws-all or something similar and sanded smooth on the edges without discoloring the chrome with a belt or drum sander. Have fun with it.
Link Removed
Link Removed

What I've found on intake air temperatures mirrors Wayne's comments. I've put the sensor into the first K&N and also located it in a small filter between the first two filters. The temperature readings on my Scangauge remain similar. On the R3T the biggest improvement I've found is to remove the windshield lowers. That alone brings the IAT down by up to 20 degrees. The improvement in throttle response is noticeable.

I would think something to fit behind the throttle bodies, and possibly wrap partially around the front filter to block engine and radiator heat would also help. Either that or something to direct clean air onto the filters.

Since it was time to clean my K&Ns I thought I'd make a color change. I had some blue filter oil left over from a BMW filter. Since the bike is blue, I figured I'd go for matching filters.

Since K&N oil is red, that is a unique look.

Ditch the Bearclaw and get some RU-1770's