Factory air filters versus aftermarket air filters ST 1300.

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Factory air filters versus aftermarket air filters ST 1300. Just looking for some quick input on experiences with the factory as well as aftermarket air filters. I’ve searched the forums and can’t really find much conclusive information thanks everybody. I’m just hitting the refresh button on this topic I guess.
 
EMGO or HIFLOWFILTO paper replacement filters should work as well as the OEM filters, with the exception that the screen and quality may not be as good as factory ones.
Being that the ST’s run pretty lean from the factory, I would stay away from the K&N filters, due to lean issues and poor fitment.
K&N also made two different sizes without indicating it for the ST’s, some fit, some don’t.
 
Thanks for the info. Just ordered a higlowfiltro......... Spent most of the morning trying to figure out how to remove the bodywork so I can check things out. Trying also to wire in some accessory power wires from the rear seat area to the front dash. Really like the bike but everything sure is crammed in there!
 
Thanks for the info. Just ordered a higlowfiltro......... Spent most of the morning trying to figure out how to remove the bodywork so I can check things out. Trying also to wire in some accessory power wires from the rear seat area to the front dash. Really like the bike but everything sure is crammed in there!
Just curious, why not the factory OEM filter ?
It has the metal mesh screen which will keep the mice at bay....:rofl1:
 
Just curious, why not the factory OEM filter ?
It has the metal mesh screen which will keep the mice at bay....:rofl1:
Based on a few of the posts above, $$$ are the reason. (And, despite any valid evidence of the OEM filter being more efficient, passing more air, and keeping more mice out, folks will usually assume all filters are equal and vote with their dollars. That is, until the bike blows up.)
 
I use only OEM but I dont like the price. It really depends on riding style...imo.. If you just go for those 200 mile weekend rides in nice weather anything is probably good...if you like riding 900 mile days cross country in rain, wind, dust storms then get the best, finest filter...jmo
 
You don't need an OEM filter. I use HiFlofiltro also for air and oil filters.

Some OEM parts are not better at quality, just better at having a large price tag. :)
 
Thanks for the info. Just ordered a higlowfiltro......... Spent most of the morning trying to figure out how to remove the bodywork so I can check things out. Trying also to wire in some accessory power wires from the rear seat area to the front dash. Really like the bike but everything sure is crammed in there!

Make sure you slide the upper tank all the way back, and carefully tip it so you hopefully don't break the hose between the upper and lower tanks. It's an odd hose that is bigger on one end and if you break it you'll have fuel all over the place (if the upper tank still has fuel in it) and you'll have to buy a new hose from mother Honda.
 
Another caveat on K&N from experience: In the dealership service department where I worked, we saw some check engine lights triggered by cars with K&N type filters because the oil impregnation contaminated the mass airflow sensor.
Not saying that this will frequently cause that issue but it is a known factor.
 
Another caveat on K&N from experience: In the dealership service department where I worked, we saw some check engine lights triggered by cars with K&N type filters because the oil impregnation contaminated the mass airflow sensor.
Not saying that this will frequently cause that issue but it is a known factor.
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I’ve ordered the hiflowfiltro regular model which from what I understand is not oil impregnated and the is a close match for the standard honda model.
 
Based on a few of the posts above, $$$ are the reason.
Although it is true that OEM parts often cost more than aftermarket parts, I think we need to consider context when we are comparing price differences.

The price difference between an OEM filter and an aftermarket filter is not that great (it's not hundreds of dollars), and we don't buy air filters all that often. Hence the "price difference over time" is not really significant, and might not justify losing the benefits of the OEM part. In the case of oil filters, this might include the metal screen and better filtration quality due to better paper being used.

Michael
 
Lift the gas tank up.Use the prop rod.Use j.I.s. screwdriver.Don’t lose screws in unobtainium void.A. Drop of oil on screws will Mae next time easier.DON’T take any body work off!
 
The price difference between an OEM filter and an aftermarket filter is not that great (it's not hundreds of dollars), and we don't buy air filters all that often. Hence the "price difference over time" is not really significant, and might not justify losing the benefits of the OEM part. In the case of oil filters, this might include the metal screen and better filtration quality due to better paper being used.
The takeaway from Michael's post is that sometimes there is a technical reason for the price difference, and sometimes there is not. The problem is that we don't always know.

e.g.
When I worked at a GM dealership at one point there was a problem with diesel injection pump failures. It was expensive to fix because the entire injection pump had to be removed and sent out to a diesel shop to be rebuilt. It became a big enough problem that GM launched an investigation because the warranty claims were piling up all over North America. The investigation revealed that the injection pump passages were clogged up with debris. As part of the investigation, instructions from GM were to replace the fuel filter and return the old one to GM regardless of which brand it was. The investigation revealed that aftermarket fuel filters were causing the problem. The curious thing is that these aftermarket fuel filters were being made by the same company that made the filters for GM, so this concerned GM.

The end result was that the filters that were being made for GM were being made to GM specifications. The filters that this same company made for the jobber parts market were not. The only difference was that they were using a different epoxy to bond the filter media to itself and to the filter container. They did so because this epoxy was cheaper and had a simpler application and shorter curing time than the epoxy that GM had specified for use. This meant that they could produce more filters more quickly and cheaper. The problem was that this inferior epoxy deteriorated after long exposure to diesel fuel. I guess someone hadn't tested it for long enough before approving it for use. Small pieces of epoxy would brake loose and find their way in to the injection pump and clog it's tiny passages.

After such investigations GM always releases a service bulletin. The bulletin advised against the use of aftermarket filters and explained why. Customers could continue to use them of course, but GM would no longer warranty any injection pump failure that was a result of clogged passages on a vehicle that had a jobber fuel filter.

There is not much of a danger in using a jobber air filter of course. Just pointing out that we don't always know the reason for the price difference. Sometimes the difference is not justified, sometimes the aftermarket part is just as good or better, but sometimes the price difference for OEM is justified. The real problem is knowing which is which.
 
I've used EMGO filters and had good luck with them. Last time I needed one, it wasn't available so I got an OEM. I may try Hiflo next time. I won't use K & N. Both my STs had them when I got them and I removed them right away.
 
I've used EMGO filters and had good luck with them. Last time I needed one, it wasn't available so I got an OEM. I may try Hiflo next time. I won't use K & N. Both my STs had them when I got them and I removed them right away.
You may try hiflow, but you won’t use K&N ?
Did you miss the comment that hiflow makes K&N filters?
 
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