To "Pod", or not to "Pod"??

[mjolnir2k]

I have seen several GS850's set up with K&N air pod's in place of the stock breathers.

Thoughts on this?

Is this a big performance upgrade, or simply a looks thing?

How does it effect maintenance needs?

[tkent02]

On an 850 it's as silly as a 4-1 pipe.

[mjolnir2k]

On an 850 it's as silly as a 4-1 pipe.

Lol, you really hate those 4-1 pipes..

[tkent02]

No I like them a lot, just not on a 850. It is super heavy, very smooth, comfortable bike with a really civilized engine, the airbox and the carburetors come off in just a few minutes. The 4-1 and especially the pods are ridiculous on this machine.

It's not like the last tiny bit of extra power right before the redline is all that important on this particular motorcycle, it's not like it's going to be a racer....

You will lose power and efficiency everywhere else.

Just makes no sense.

On one where the airbox is near impossible to remove pods are the way to go.
On a little zippy cafe racer type thing, sure, on a 1100 torque monster you bet. Not on an 850.

[mjolnir2k]

No I like them a lot, just not on a 850. It is super heavy, very smooth, comfortable bike with a really civilized engine, the airbox and the carburetors come off in just a few minutes. The 4-1 and especially the pods are ridiculous on this machine.

It's not like the last tiny bit of extra power right before the redline is all that important on this particular motorcycle, it's not like it's going to be a racer....

You will lose power and efficiency everywhere else.

Just makes no sense.

On one where the airbox is near impossible to remove pods are the way to go.
On a little zippy cafe racer type thing, sure, on a 1100 torque monster you bet. Not on an 850.

well, that makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the clarification. For guys (like me) new to this stuff just saying something is "ridiculous" without explaining why is not of much value. The full explanation allows me to be educated on the reasons for the opinion you state

[Big T]

What Tom means is that adding pods means you need a Dynojet kit to get it to run correctly, so you've spent $250 and a bunch of hours to gain 3 HP that detract from the overall throttle response.

Pods only make sense if you're doing more engine upgrades, like headers and a cam

Otherwise, CV carbs respond poorly to the change in intake airflow

[mjolnir2k]

What Tom means is that adding pods means you need a Dynojet kit to get it to run correctly, so you've spent $250 and a bunch of hours to gain 3 HP that detract from the overall throttle response.

Pods only make sense if you're doing more engine upgrades, like headers and a cam

Otherwise, CV carbs respond poorly to the change in intake airflow

Makes pretty good sense. Thanks again.

[gs850cafe]

i was gonna go pods for the sound...i put a 4-1 pipe on my 850 for the sound and looks...since i dont care for the 4-2 an it being quiet

but i deceided to run stock airbox, since it runs so good with it already

[mach1970]

Saying that throttle response is going to be bad and that you will lose power every where else, is just not accurate. If you jet the carbs properly (yes this takes time and patience) the throttle response will be just like stock and you will not lose and power any where. I have done this to more GS1100 and GS1000's (I know it isn't an 850 but the engine is the same) then I can count. Problem is, people don't know how to properly setup the carbs. In most cases a stock jet kit will only get you close. You need to put in the time to get them right. If you do, the effort is worth it. I have 4 GS1100's and a GS1000 that would amaze you at how well they run with pods and 4-1 pipes.

It's like everything else in life....there is no short cut.

[Bevo]

^ true, I have been through many carb adjustments even with the jet kits. Another thing is the noise, if you have a fairing and are out of the wind noise the carbs will be loud sucking in the air all the time.

Another item that bothers me about them which is probably not a big deal is rain, I always feel like I am sucking water into the engine. Over my 30 years of pod bikes its never cost me an engine but still bugs me today.

[Steve]

i was gonna go pods for the sound ...

On the other hand, I stay with the airbox for the sound.

Pods are too loud for me, I don't like their constant chatter.

Some headers are too loud, too, but I do like the smooth sound.
The header on my son's 850 will likely end up on my bike before we sell his.

.

[1980GS1000E]

Stock on that bike is the practical choice.

[blowerbike]

^ true, I have been through many carb adjustments even with the jet kits. Another thing is the noise, if you have a fairing and are out of the wind noise the carbs will be loud sucking in the air all the time.

Another item that bothers me about them which is probably not a big deal is rain, I always feel like I am sucking water into the engine. Over my 30 years of pod bikes its never cost me an engine but still bugs me today.

the little bit of rain sucked in gets rid of that pesky carbon build up.+&+

[speedyandypandy]

the little bit of rain sucked in gets rid of that pesky carbon build up.+&+

true true, at work we have stationary gas turbine driven emergency generators and had stationary gas driven turbine compressors, they are just the same used in planes, now ours need(ed) washing way ofter than the ones
used in planes, because of rain cleaning the internal. The turbine people even considered getting a water injection system up and running to make the hours go up between washing stops.

[Bevo]

So the outer cylinders will be carbon free and inner two not so much but again probably not a big deal..