Hi Guy's
I have just serviced my 2012 ZZR1400,all done and good,apart from I wanted to fit a K & N air filter,they do not make one for the 2012 onwards,only 2005 to 2011 ? the 2012 is different.Pipercross list one 2005 to 2014 ?? how can that be,if the 2012 onwards is not the same ? do BMC list one for the later 14's ? or has anyone got any ideas on a sports air filter for a 2012.

Cheers TTPAUL.

On my 14 I installed the K&N cans so I can remove my OE air cleaner and still filter out some of the microns. When I inspected the OE element, I found eye size debris that the K&N could not capture, but the OE stopped it. So if I can see particles with the human eye, imagine what the piper will let thru.

Lets imagine that old movie called, 'the incredible shrinking man' and when he is in proportion with a boulder or a tiny spec of road debris, isn't that still a rock that can scratch things? So you now have this sharp object that is going to run a gouge down the cylinder and when the piston changes direction, this now releases the rock off the cylinder wall and can move past the piston, and down into the crankcase.

Here comes more microns that begin to scratch the cylinder finish. Add up all the lines and it begins to show an air gap or a place to escape so the compression is beginning to weaken, or where the bike has a shorter lifespan than if more protected by a tighter filter pleat.

If you are thinking of saving a few bucks by using a washable filter, a more breathable filter, then chances are, your bike is going to cost more to repair the cylinder wall finish, just so you have some compression built back in it.

There is a great marketing line that was true back then as it is now... "You can pay me now or pay me later..." for not listening to the turtle.

The 2012+ filter is indeed larger. Buy another OE if you think yours needs it. K&N is a joke and 90% of the time guys miss the maintenance window and over oil the element during the clean and charge procedure. Too much oil actually REDUCES airflow over OE. Keep in mind that there is literally zero measurable difference between no air filter installed and the OE filter. Don't waste your money.

Let's recap...

Zero performance benefit between filter removed and OE air filter. (How can the K&N do better than zero resistance?)
Over oiling with the K&N REDUCES airflow.
2012+ filters are unique to the R.

Keep in mind that there is literally zero measurable difference between no air filter installed and the OE filter.

That's what I was told when I researched a few years back. The difference in flow is so minuscule that there is no difference in mapping. I have a BMC race filter for my Gen1. It's a nifty lil race gadget but I don't run it often for the reasons Hub mentioned. I can't feel or hear any difference between that and OEM. If it provides 1-2 more hp at peak rpm, it might be a worthwhile race mod but I don't think it's worth the risk for a bike you want to keep running a long time.

Oiled filters are great for racing where every bit of hp counts, no so much for the street.

Unless you are running redline the airflow difference is negligble with an oiled filter. As Rook and Hub mentioned you are going to be ingesting small particles that an oiled gause filter just can't catch. Oiled gause filters were originally for desert racing with engines that were rebuilt after every race and they work great for that purpose.

And here I was thinking my K&N air filter was a good idea and a positive upgrade...

* Last updated by: yannih on 11/26/2014 @ 3:51 PM *

Na.. Sorry Yannih.

People still run them on the street. I have yet to hear anyone say they had problems from using race filters. I'm pretty sure Romans uses a K&N all the time. I just don't feel the benefit is great enough to outweigh the chance that it might be causing some premature ware. Personally, I avoid using it altogether in Spring when there is a lot of dirt on the roads from winter.

Page I forget so here is a guess. My bike runs great. I have [what's his name] well over 100,000 miles on it and when new, compression is 228psi new. So as I wear out the engine, my limit for compression is 149psi and now 148 I should rebuild it, or wait one morning when it doesn't start is lower than 100psi.

So @ 160psi, of course the bike is going to run fine. But at what compression loss.

I also heard that you can pour in some of that there octane booster and bump it up a few hawspower!

Hi Guys.
Thanks alot,I have fitted a Kawasaki filter.

Cheers TTPAUL.

Back to stock I go!!!!!