No more foam air filters for me!

zx9rmal · 05-18-2009, 12:13 PM

Heads up guys. I was out riding the R12S the other day when, out of the blue, the bike lost power and was running/idling on one cylinder. I limped home and confirmed the right jug was dead. The pipe was barely warm and the engine didn't respond when I moved the right throttle body linkage. I figured either a dead injector or no spark, since there was no "event", like a bang or smoke. I also noticed an oddity after this happened. The throttle had an odd/stiffer feel to it past about half throttle. I looked at the right side linkage and it didn't look right, so I checked it against another R12S. The metal linkage plate, next to the black piece that holds the cable, was binding and wouldn't return to the stop. I figured the linkage somehow broke. Since I still have warranty, I figured let the dealer take care of it, so I had it towed. Just got a call from the shop. The foam filter material (the one from BMW Atlanta) came apart and got sucked into and lodged in the throttle body, effectively choking the right intake!!! WTF! Hopefully no other damage. Dealer says bike seems OK and idles fine after removing the stuff.

I'll update after I get the bike back..........with a stock air filter!!

Bob Hancock · 05-18-2009, 12:30 PM

Hmmm. Don't guess you'd wanna send this to Bobby would ya, Mal?
I have these in both my BMW's and have recommended them to others.

cageyar · cageyar's Garage

I know after-market air filters are a subject of controversy vs. the stock air filter.
All I can atest to is that I've been using K&N air filters for over 40 years since I first put 3 individual K&N's on the back of my Kawi triple carbs in 1974 (before I knew an airbox had any benefit...) (wait a minute...that's 35 years...oh well)
I've used them in off-road Jeeps, a variety of motorcycles and in addition to never having a failure, I feel they have always had a positive impact on throttle response. The best part is, once you buy one, you're done-just clean, apply fresh filter oil per their instructions (not too much) and re-use.

zx9rmal · 05-18-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Hancock

Hmmm. Don't guess you'd wanna send this to Bobby would ya, Mal?
I have these in both my BMW's and have recommended them to others.

Bob, I've been very happy with the filter, right up to the end.

I'm reserving judgement until I go to the dealer and see the filter. If I go to an aftermarket filter again, it will be a BMC. Very similar to K&N, but better quality, from the few I've seen and used.

Bob Hancock · 05-18-2009, 12:44 PM

I've heard good things about Evolutione (sp?) for BMW's and Ducati's but never used them cos they're usually pretty expensive.

roger albert · 05-18-2009, 12:49 PM

K&Ns are of uniform good quality.
BMCs vary quite a bit. Many a duc owner's motor has ingested BMC foam.
Most are good, to be fair, but I've never seen a K&N come apart (separate issue from how well one like's their filtering) and have seen plenty of BMC failures. Caveat emptor.

zx9rmal · 05-18-2009, 01:00 PM

Rog -

I'm referring to the BMC cloth, not the foam. I think I might just stay with the factory filter. There really isn't a big difference on these motors, from my experience.

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by zx9rmal

Rog -

I think I might just stay with the factory filter. There really isn't a big difference on these motors, from my experience.

Bingo!

cageyar · cageyar's Garage

[QUOTE=roger albert;4670691]K&Ns are of uniform good quality.
Bingo back at ya.
I'll take the benefits of a K&N over belly-pan anyday. (oh oh...now I've done it)

roger albert · 05-18-2009, 01:18 PM

Factory is always a safe option.

cageyar · cageyar's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by roger albert

Factory is always a safe option.

Oh, Man....you just took my mojo away with Shredr. What about belly-pans.
Safer to stay stock...right..........right?

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

The stock R12S belly pan is very safe! There is no danger in anyone thinking it looks cool!

signit98 · 05-18-2009, 02:33 PM

...do not mess with shreddr today, he's thinking... no apparent results yet, BUT HE IS thinking!

AZ-Twin · 05-18-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zx9rmal

Heads up guys. I was out riding the R12S the other day when, out of the blue, the bike lost power and was running/idling on one cylinder. I limped home and confirmed the right jug was dead. The pipe was barely warm and the engine didn't respond when I moved the right throttle body linkage. I figured either a dead injector or no spark, since there was no "event", like a bang or smoke. I also noticed an oddity after this happened. The throttle had an odd/stiffer feel to it past about half throttle. I looked at the right side linkage and it didn't look right, so I checked it against another R12S. The metal linkage plate, next to the black piece that holds the cable, was binding and wouldn't return to the stop. I figured the linkage somehow broke. Since I still have warranty, I figured let the dealer take care of it, so I had it towed. Just got a call from the shop. The foam filter material (the one from BMW Atlanta) came apart and got sucked into and lodged in the throttle body, effectively choking the right intake!!! WTF! Hopefully no other damage. Dealer says bike seems OK and idles fine after removing the stuff.

I'll update after I get the bike back..........with a stock air filter!!

How many times have you cleaned it, and if any what did you clean it with?

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by signit98

...do not mess with shreddr today, he's thinking... no apparent results yet, BUT HE IS thinking!

Something Ralf will never be accused of.....unless of course being an ass takes thought, but in his case I think it is instinct.

PFFOG · 05-18-2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roger albert

Factory is always a safe option.

Until some hungry bug eats through the paper and lets unfiltered air, along with small stones into the air box. Buggar!!

roger albert · 07:12 PM

possible, but I've emptied too many customer filters over the years with tons of bugs, but no signs of bug munching. Very unlikely an accurate diagnosis. Rodent munching maybe, but bug unlikely.

PFFOG · 05-18-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roger albert

possible, but I've emptied too many customer filters over the years with tons of bugs, but no signs of bug munching. Very unlikely an accurate diagnosis. Rodent munching maybe, but bug unlikely.

The pic was from the backside of the filter, and the hole was at the bottom of a pleat, no way a rodent could get down there. It was not evident from the inlet side of the filter at all. That also made it worse, as anything that fell in that pleat was just funneled into the airbox.

BMW Atlanta · 05-18-2009, 07:58 PM

Very abnormal and the first I or Uni has heard of such a failure. It is possible the knife cut too far when making the foam cylinders that comprise the filtering media. We have MANY of these filters out there in use and as long as you remember to take out the internal spring when you clean the filter and do a good inspection (knowing what to look for) upon re-installation these filters will give many years of great flow with superior filtering abilities. Send it back if you can and I'll gladly send you another to replace it.

phoenixtexoma · 05-19-2009, 04:38 AM

On a related note, my electrostatic filtration is working superbly. During a weekend ride to Pat Mayse Lake in north Texas, I ran into road construction on a farm-to-market, 11 miles of dirt and dust behind several cars and running 40-45 mph. On Sunday, I pulled the filter and induct to check. There was indeed significant dust in the filter (plus a bee and several small bugs on the front of it), but absolutely no trace of anything behind it. There's been some naysaying about the electrostatic, but I'm sticking with it.