Are K&N Filters ok for dust? I ride on dirt roads a lot and dusty trials. Would a K&N Be ok or should i just stick with foam? How much does the filter cost? Is it Better to get the Kit or seperate? Thanks

00 400ex

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If you consider the opinions of the people at C T Racing to be valid, foam is for dust & gauze (K&N) is for sand. Many who run gauze in dusty terrain will run Outerwears over them , thus negating any air flow advantage over foam. (the last statement is my humble opinion)

I use UNI Foam Filters on all my bikes. I ride the coal reagions of PA. You probably know how dusty they are.

You guys have to understand that running an outerware on a K&N will not flow less air as a foam filter. The reason is because if you make one trip on a foam filter the sand sticks onto the filter effectively clogging it up. The outerware just keeps the sand from getting stuck in the pleated area of a K&N. I run a K&N with outerware everyplace I ride. Dust is not a problem. I used foam for like two trips but didn't like having to field clean my filter after a couple of runs. I clean my K&N filters once every three trips.

DunePilot858,
In re- reading my post above, I discovered that I had made a typo regarding using gauze filters in sand. My intention was as it now reads. The majority of engine re- builders, in other words the ones who see the insides of the engines they work on, advise foam in dusty conditions. And yes, they do collect lots of dust which after all is what they are there for.:)

I live in the Mid-Atlantic area (Washington, D.C). As I was reading each post, my aspirations to modify my quad dwindled. I currently have a bone-stock quad. I wanted to make 3 simple modifications: Filter, Jets, and Pipe. As many of you know, the Mid-Atlantic is not very sandy unless I visit the Eastern shore (not going to happen). When modifying the jets and pipe, I would also need to enhance airflow. If I am following the direction of these posts correctly, I will not be able to follow through with my goal. The basic agreement here is that the K&N would do little to keep the dust out. Is this the case?

Does K&N manufacture an air filter that will keep out dust as well as improve airflow? Thanks all.

there are plenty of hi flow foam filters available, i have never worked on a ex, but on banshees the big mprovement is made by gettng rid of the stock airbox. i rode on trails for quite a while before building my quad into a drag bike, and ran a two-into-one foam filter with an outerwear with no problems at all. I als had toomeys and porting at that time.

briancwatkins,
As I recall, K&N advises using an outer wrap in dusty conditions. I believe they have their own in-house add-on for this or Outerwear has one. They claim (as do others who use them) that the outerwrap doesn't impede airflow but I find this hard to believe since the very fact that it traps dust would seem to impede air also, making the original objective in adding the filter moot.
Perhaps running a good foam filter with an alteration of the airbox or lid would be the way to go. Here in Az where dust is a way of life, I run a Pro Design airbox adaptor/ filter kit with a Moto /Force vented lid. Unfortunately, I don't think Pro Design makes a kit for Hondas, but you might check with them to be sure.

I've run a K&N with an outerwear on my 400EX in both dusty conditions and in sand, and have never found any sort of dirt or grit in my carb inlet tube--so in my opinion, the K&N is okay for both conditions. The key though, for any filter, is to make sure it's clean and properly oiled, as I would assume either type would pass fine dust when it gets really dirty. BTW, Pro Design doesn't make a "kit" for the 400EX, as it already has the mounting flange to accept either type...unlike the Banshee or Warrior which requires a billet adapter. They do make a 400EX replacement foam filter though.

I read about one guy who runs a K&N filter in combo with a Foam one. Seems to be the most protection. Im just not sure which foam filter will completely cover the K&N.