Emgo air filter VS. OEM??

[chuckycheese]

I'm in need of a new air filter and think I'll buy an Emgo OEM replacement. It looks just like the OEM but is about 1/3 the cost. Has anyone used this filter in place of the OEM? Is the air flow the same? (My bike is tuned just right and I don't want that to change.) Thanks!!:-D

 

[koolaid_kid]

Opinions may vary, but I would not give you a plug nickel for every EMGO filter ever made. I would (and do) replace it with a K&N every time.

 

[chuckycheese]

Well?

Well?

I appreciate your input but you sure didn't provide any information. What's wrong with the Emgo filter? All the K/N filters I've seen are 'easy flowing' which means screwing up the air flow and requiring re-jetting.

I'm hoping for some usable 'scoop' regarding my situation. Thanks, to all!!

 

[jpaul]

I bought an Emgo filter for my 82 1100E. Never installed it. It was open on both ends, unlike the stock filter, & I never got around to fabricating a piece to cover the end and hold the filter in place.

 

[chuckycheese]

What?

What?

I bought an Emgo filter for my 82 1100E. Never installed it. It was open on both ends, unlike the stock filter, & I never got around to fabricating a piece to cover the end and hold the filter in place.

I'm more confused than ever! How could they offer an OEM replacement that's so obviously different? The one I'm looking at is almost identical.....and it's not open on both ends!

 

[denydog]

All the K/N filters I've seen are 'easy flowing' which means screwing up the air flow and requiring re-jetting.

I know you're asking about EMGO, and I know nothing about those, but I wanted to comment on the K&N.

I've been using the one piece cleanable K&N replacement filter in my stock airbox for years, and still use the stock jetting. My fuel mixtures are fine. The plugs look fine. And the bike runs great. You don't need to rejet if you are using the stock airbox and exhaust pipes.

Quote I just copied from K&N Website: http://www.knpowersports.com/filtercharger.htm

Replacement Air Filters for Street Legal Motorcycles - K&N Replacement Air Filters are designed to fit right into the standard OEM airbox. No modifications are required by the owner, no jet changes or adjustment of the carburetors is anticipated or suggested. Customer modification of the standard airbox - removing the cover, drilling holes into the side or top will have a drastic effect on smooth carburetion. Modifications will cause the stock system to run lean and reduce horsepower. Keep your motorcycle stock and the new K&N Replacement Element will be good for the life of the engine.

 

[chuckycheese]

Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks! I wondered about the K&N, as well, although I figured they were a little more 'free flowing'. I would think the Emgo's are pretty much equal to the OEM's but...I figured someone would have some first-hand information.....after all, they OEM's are pretty 'spendy'.:?

 

[koolaid_kid]

I have never seen flow numbers for either the K&N or the Emgo filters. K&N claims that they flow about the same and that they can replace the stock without rejetting. I have found this to be true as long as you use the stock airbox mounted filters. I have run one since 97 in my KZ, and now have one in my GS. Neither have needed rejetting. The Emgo probably does not require rejetting either. The main difference is that the K&N is washable and reusable, the Emgo is a cheap paper filter that needs to be replaced the same as the stock unit. The K&N is a buy once, use forever filter.

 

[chuckycheese]

I have never seen flow numbers for either the K&N or the Emgo filters. K&N claims that they flow about the same and that they can replace the stock without rejetting. I have found this to be true as long as you use the stock airbox mounted filters. I have run one since 97 in my KZ, and now have one in my GS. Neither have needed rejetting. The Emgo probably does not require rejetting either. The main difference is that the K&N is washable and reusable, the Emgo is a cheap paper filter that needs to be replaced the same as the stock unit. The K&N is a buy once, use forever filter.

Thanks for the information. I had a K&N on my Harley and thought it was very good.....but my HD was really easy to re-jet. The Emgo for the GS looks exactly like the OEM so I figure it must flow about the same. If not, I'll let everyone know!

 

[jpaul]

I'm more confused than ever! How could they offer an OEM replacement that's so obviously different? The one I'm looking at is almost identical.....and it's not open on both ends!

It's been over 10 years since I got the thing. I wouldn't be surprised if they either put that one in the wrong box, or modified it after getting complaints from customers. I may try them again sometime, but not on mailorder.

 

[chuckycheese]

Mine

Mine

It's been over 10 years since I got the thing. I wouldn't be surprised if they either put that one in the wrong box, or modified it after getting complaints from customers. I may try them again sometime, but not on mailorder.

Mine's open on just one end and has a little metal handle of the other. Maybe they sent you one for a different model because they make a whole bunch of different ones. They have an online catalog which is pretty easy to use..it's at their site (emgo.com).

 

[Nessism]

Not sure what kind of bike you have and what type of filter we are talking about...

On the 450/early 550's the OE filters are just basically a piece of foam. No problem with using a non-factory filter considering this - in fact, you can pick up a chunk of filter foam from Uni and cut your own (which saves money).

 

[chuckycheese]

My bike

My bike

As my 'signature' says, it's a 1980 GS750L. The one that fits my bike also fits quite a few others from around 1980 to 1983. It's a paper type and just sort of 'plugs in'. The little metal handle serves as a bracket to hold it in place.