K/N Filters/OIL:)

[Polarbear]

Found a new filter for my GSA1200 by K/N. #164 is their number and Cycle Gear near me has them:). 14$. A ton better than my BMW dealers at 22$ now. Why, I ask do we have to pay such rediculous prices for general maintenance parts? Is it the German Mark vs., the Dollar. Must be? Anyhow, K/N has always had a good reputation and I figured why not. Even my Kragen Auto Parts store has them(K/N) listed in their books for 14$ each. Just a tip:). Randy:usa

[deilenberger]

Randy - is this a paper filter or one of K&N's oiled ones? The oiled ones have a very mixed reputation, with multiple reports I've seen of oil deposits and dirt found in the intake track downstream from the filter. It isn't anything I'd want on any of my engines, even my snowblower..

YMMV - I know there are lots of claims made for K&N, and lots of people who believe the claims, but in dyno testing I've done on other BMW bikes, none of the claims were found to be true.

[ironflats]

The oil fiters from K&N are a no brainer. No problems with the one on my GS or my 04 rt. I have 40K on the rt and 10k on the GS The great thing is that no special wrench is needed, the 17mm nut on the filter makes it a no brainer.

I have also used their air filters on both my cars, trucks, both bikes and a ATV. Never a problem ! The change to one on my GMC truck actually resulted in an increase in fuel mileage. They are easily cleaned and reoiled.

I also use Amsoil synthetic, I road the rt to the rally in Gillette with absolutely no oil consumption . Changed it before I left Daytona and changed it upon returning.

I will also be changing the GS to synthetic on the next sceduled change at 12K.

[CarolinaRT]

Although I didn't know it at the time, my RT had a K/N oil filter installed when I purchased it used with 4600 miles. Without any Beemer experience to back me up, the engine didn't sound right. It clunked and knocked around loudly at idle and low speed. Replacing the oil filter with a stock filter corrected the issue and seemed to supply the correct oil pressure for the engine at low rpm. It's stock filters for me now!

[Polarbear]

An oil filter causing the clunking engine noise! Maybe it got dirty'd up inside, but still kind of a wierd phenom I've never heard on any filter. I'm just so tired of BMW gouging prices on us all and want some relief. You have to agree a 22$ oil filter is overkill? Heck, I can buy a GIANT sized diesel oil filter for 18$... Where do they get off with a 22$ m/c one, which is SO tiny??? Its pretty basic engineering in an oil filter, nothing like rocket science going on here! I'm a capitalist, free market guy and you price your stuff too high,...you lose! Randy:usa

[JavaD]

http://www.knfilters.com/oilfilter.htm
http://www.knfilters.com/filtercharger.htm
I've used these on my street vehicles with no issues. I have had the oil in the intake tract being the filter oil, but no dirt has moved past the pleats. There's also a pre-charger foam wrap available for some of their filters which helps track the really big particles.

[CarolinaRT]

I'm sure it was the cause of the noise, but what I don't know is whether or not it was the correct filter and oil.
The K/N filter was physicall larger; like an inch taller which made it nearly the lowest part of the ground clearance. But I never did check the part number. It could have been a mis-application.
We could chalk it up to shoddy workmanship on the part of the mechanic.
No long-term problems resulted.

[ExGMan]

The K/N filter was physicall larger; like an inch taller which made it nearly the lowest part of the ground clearance.

I think having the thin metal of the oil filter as the lowest part of the bike's engine would make me pretty nervous.:eek

[Polarbear]

The '07 GSA1200, K/N#164 oil filter is no deeper than the stock BMW filter. I think the smallest of the BMW oil filters. It does have one thing different, a 17mm wrench or socket tightens/loosens it, no special oil filter wrench required. I bought two, so I'm good to go a while...Randy

[The_Veg]

You can get the 164 at Amazon for $13.46...which is still about 50% more than I pay for the much larger filter for my car!

So has anybody dissected the K&N yet, and compared the guts to the OEM filter? is it as well-made?

As for air filters, there has GOT to be a better way than the BMW filter. My car uses a similar but much larger rectangular pleated-paper element that costs *1/3!* of what BMW's precious little thing does. Surely SOMEBODY makes an identical-spec filter for less.

[LoneRanger]

I will use the BMW filters as long as my bike is in warranty. I do not want to give BMW any reason to turn me down if I have a warranty claim. Also, I have had 2 BMW dealers and 1 Moto Guzzi dealer tell me not to use K&N filters.

[cookie]

I will always use stock BMW filters and oil because it is my choice and the factory has them built for the specifications of their products. Call me what you like.

[INDAWIN]

Spend all that money on a BMW, not to mention the farkles, and then try to save five to ten bucks on an oil filter. Go figure.

[Polarbear]

Yep, I've done it and the BMW filter is a cheap paper, glued together and very simply design inside. NOTHING special about it at all. Take one apart, you'll see like I did. My Master BMW mechanic and I did one not long ago, curious to see....The KN Filter and others too are similar, "most likely" and are designed the exact same way, to spec for its intended model of use. ANY BMW Dealer HAS to say to use their filters, go figure? I am not made of money, just because I bought an expensive bike and some common sense prevails regarding my wallet, as I see it. I also work and do all my own service, so this makes me a bit frugal too? So be it. I'll be like that Energizer Bunny and keep going and going and going, as many of you run out of cash:):):). Unless you're simply wealthy and not worried and thats aok too. We're still "friends", no matter, from different ways of life:)....Happy Trails, Randy:usa

[ExGMan]

If you ever have in-warranty problems with your BMW, I think you'll find that the dealers and BMW NA are going to be a lot more accommodating if you can demonstrate a history of using BMW filters and lubricants in your ride, than if you're using some other brand. Dealers have a lot of leeway to make repairs and replacements on what is generally known as goodwill or good faith, sometimes even after the warranty has expired.

[markgoodrich]

K&N of course doesn't make oil filters. There are six filter manufacturers in the U. S. Champion Labs makes the K&N, equivalent to the Mobil 1 filter. Champion makes a LOT of other "brands".

You can see the info here: http://tinyurl.com/yb8njoa

Poke around the site for lots of interesting information and opinion.

I bought a BMW filter, my first, for my R1200RT the other day, because I'm going to Mexico and my usual filter is a little longer; topes (speed bumps) can jump out of nowhere in Mexico. The BMW-branded filter is almost exactly half as long as my regular filter, but interestingly, weighs almost exactly the same...have no idea what if any significance that has.

[Bob1100RTC]

I use the bmw filter. I can live with the price. I won't pay for their oil. Thats just rediculous.

[Polarbear]

I've had more BMWs than I can count in almost 40 years and never had a waranty denied, because I do my own service and other spec filters and properly rated m/c oil of my choice. Maybe some have had this occur. I'd find a new dealer if so! Its an ugly reason, by BMW to deny on this issue alone. Just a long time owners opinion, of course. I'm not worried. I've read somewhere here, a year or so ago, probably 10 different filters for this bike are made, regarding oil. I just recently found the KN oil one and thought well of that company, my choice:)...I also use a UNI Air Filter, reusable and cleaned and prefered by most dirt bikers on the planet:). Randy:usa

[deilenberger]

Randy,

Actually - if I recall the thread from a year ago - extensive searching turned up exactly 2 filters specified for the hexhead R1200 motors. BMW's and K&N's. None of the other filters suggested were specified by their manufacturer for use with the R1200 motors. That may have changed by now.. but I'll keep using BMWs filters, I like the color they're painted.. :bolt

[waxer109452]

I use the bmw filter, the last one I bought was in Dec at the dealer for $15.50. I get 10% off & no sales tax ( food for thought when you guys are here for the ralley) in Oregon.
Mark
Bend ,Or
Gs1200

[liv2ryd]

Which oil would be best to use with a K&N filter, dino or synthetic? :rofl

[Polarbear]

They're both black:). BMW and the KN. I use Valvoline 20/50 M/C specific oil in my GSA. I remember the list of all the filters, but did not know how many were suggested replacements. Probably none by BMW, as they are going to promo their products alone. I know I'm an old seasoned opinionated rider here, but its my way:). Way too expensive a motorbike and buying cheaper parts makes me happy:)....I fly airplanes too and do take my maintenance way serious. If I lose my BMW engine to my ways, I'll cry too and be first to punish myself. Happy Trails, Randy:usa

[deilenberger]

Randy - my point was - only BMW and K&N list the R1200 hexhead as an application for their filters. There are other filters which were designated by the filter manufacturer for the R11/1150 oilhead engine, but the hexhead ones are few (2) and far between.

IMHO if you're not using a BMW filter that's fine but you're really going out on a limb if you use a filter the filter manufacturer doesn't list for the application.