[quantumrider]

I do not like the looks of the fugly stock air cleaner and I'm thinking about getting an air kit. I'm assuming that they are all basically the same performance wise, but my main reason for getting one is for appearance I like the the looks of the various "round" air kits .........But in reading posts on the subject it seems that some, if not all, also make a loud "sucking sound" which concerns me. Do they all "suck" the same or are some quieter than others? (again, perfomance is not a issue). If it matters, I have the stock exhaust with four 1/2 inch holes in each muffler but am also thinking about getting the cobra slip on.

 

[mikoloe]

Yeah, yeah ... that's the ticket

 

[Woody Hayes]

Check out Low and Mean.

 

[BillyD66]

I do not like the looks of the fugly stock air cleaner and I'm thinking about getting an air kit. I'm assuming that they are all basically the same performance wise, but my main reason for getting one is for appearance I like the the looks of the various "round" air kits .........But in reading posts on the subject it seems that some, if not all, also make a loud "sucking sound" which concerns me. Do they all "suck" the same or are some quieter than others? (again, perfomance is not a issue). If it matters, I have the stock exhaust with four 1/2 inch holes in each muffler but am also thinking about getting the cobra slip on.

My .02 on this after looking at many different designs:
- Some like the one I got from S&S Custom has a plate machined for our 2 throttle bodies. Some others have just one hole that sort of covers both and is from the carburetor days. I prefer matching the OEM design for 2 throttle bodies.
- If they have a round K&N filter inside the outside is just personal appearance. Patrice, Josh and I have 3 different ones: Cobra Powerflo, Hypercharger and Alley Cat respectively but I cannot believe they perform any different since they have the same internal filter and, therefore, the same air resistance, path etc.
- Barons and spikes will be different so you'd have to compare total inches etc. and if the design makes a huge difference.
- From what I've seen and heard they all suck a fair amount. Even with the Cobra slip-on I have to listen for it but if you have stock pipes it might be more noticeable. Then again, like many things in life, if you look/listen for it you'll see/hear it...

 

[RustyJake]

My .02 on this after looking at many different designs:
- Some like the one I got from S&S Custom has a plate machined for our 2 throttle bodies. Some others have just one hole that sort of covers both and is from the carburetor days. I prefer matching the OEM design for 2 throttle bodies.
- If they have a round K&N filter inside the outside is just personal appearance. Patrice, Josh and I have 3 different ones: Cobra Powerflo, Hypercharger and Alley Cat respectively but I cannot believe they perform any different since they have the same internal filter and, therefore, the same air resistance, path etc.
- Barons and spikes will be different so you'd have to compare total inches etc. and if the design makes a huge difference.
- From what I've seen and heard they all suck a fair amount. Even with the Cobra slip-on I have to listen for it but if you have stock pipes it might be more noticeable. Then again, like many things in life, if you look/listen for it you'll see/hear it...

Do you have any more info on the plate from S&S? I'm gearing towards an S&S intake cover set up of some sort to minimize some issues I had in the past with my other bike and an open air intake with getting caught in the rain.

 

[ryderjay]

No one I ride with has had issues with an open air cleaner and rain. Just have to make sure you clean and re oil the filter after riding in a heavy rainfall. I just installed the SS Customs Vo2 skull cap and I love it. Great improvement to low and mid response and I don't mind the sucking sound that much. Only notice it at idle and during hard acceleration. Aftermarket pipes would likely drown out most of it. I'd recommend going with a kit that is designed to fit our throttle bodies, don't buy a universal or Jerry rigged kit.

Also, the Vance and Hines intake kit can basically have any cover put on it that is made by Vance and Hines fir the Vo2 kit (which is a lot of partially covered and open looks) The SS Customs kit is just the Vance and Hines Vo2 air intake kit that they make a custom back plate and throttle body mount for our Stryker.

 

[RustyJake]

Thanks I appreciate the response.
I may look at the SS Hardtimes kit. As much as the spider emblem interests me........
I ran a bootleg intake on my last bike and no matter how it was oiled I couldn't ride in the rain without it coughing and sputtering. It was like a ram effect, to the point you could remove the K&N filter and actually have water run out the pipe. Even though there was an airbox chamber on the bike, the water would still get sucked into the carbs. I had a rain cover made for it and although it helped, it still would take on water. I made a promise to my wife not to go the open air intake route again (part of the "new bike agreement" sub clause three or something :wink: ) . Her bike has a stock air cleaner and if there was a hint of rain, I jammed all the time because of being caught too many times in it and having problems.

Looking at these kits, they "should" take an S&S intake standard air cover with a single bolt fastener. Curious is anyone else is running that style of intake with a cover other than the open style.

 

[BillyD66]

Thanks I appreciate the response.
I may look at the SS Hardtimes kit. As much as the spider emblem interests me........
I ran a bootleg intake on my last bike and no matter how it was oiled I couldn't ride in the rain without it coughing and sputtering. It was like a ram effect, to the point you could remove the K&N filter and actually have water run out the pipe. Even though there was an airbox chamber on the bike, the water would still get sucked into the carbs. I had a rain cover made for it and although it helped, it still would take on water. I made a promise to my wife not to go the open air intake route again (part of the "new bike agreement" sub clause three or something :wink: ) . Her bike has a stock air cleaner and if there was a hint of rain, I jammed all the time because of being caught too many times in it and having problems.

Looking at these kits, they "should" take an S&S intake standard air cover with a single bolt fastener. Curious is anyone else is running that style of intake with a cover other than the open style.

I have the Alley Cat by S&S(all they do is make the throttle body part and then use Kuryakyn covers) and for more $$ you can go w/ the Mach II which has many different covers.
As for the rain I have gotten caught a few times and no issues but the standard rain sock should alleviate any problems. Since oil and water don't mix, in theory, if you have the filter oiled it should be fine. Of course if you are in a torrential downpour some could get sucked in but even then it ought to be vapor unless the AC collects it(maybe an upward mounted spike)

 

[ryderjay]

I have the Alley Cat by S&S(all they do is make the throttle body part and then use Kuryakyn covers) and for more $$ you can go w/ the (maybe an upward mounted spike)

He could smoke stack his Stryker and hang out with the diesel truck crowd :lol:

I almost bought the ally cat, literally copy and pasted the part number and then decided on the more minimalist look. How do you like it? Probably not as loud of air flow since its covered more.

 

[BillyD66]

I almost bought the ally cat, literally copy and pasted the part number and then decided on the more minimalist look. How do you like it? Probably not as loud of air flow since its covered more.

You can hear it but like I said you sort of have to be listening for it. I also wear a full face so the deeper muffler sounds get captured and come through a little louder.
I got the black version since I like the mix of black and chrome like on the cylinders...

 

[ryderjay]

You can hear it but like I said you sort of have to be listening for it. I also wear a full face so the deeper muffler sounds get captured and come through a little louder.
I got the black version since I like the mix of black and chrome like on the cylinders...

Fullface helmets are the only way I roll... seen too many narly accidents when I was a deputy involving other styles. Plus my current helmet has the built in drop down sun visor so I don't have to bring sunglasses with me or change faceshields.

 

[RustyJake]

I have the Alley Cat by S&S(all they do is make the throttle body part and then use Kuryakyn covers) and for more $$ you can go w/ the Mach II which has many different covers.
As for the rain I have gotten caught a few times and no issues but the standard rain sock should alleviate any problems. Since oil and water don't mix, in theory, if you have the filter oiled it should be fine. Of course if you are in a torrential downpour some could get sucked in but even then it ought to be vapor unless the AC collects it(maybe an upward mounted spike)

I'm definitely looking towards this. I'm still not 100% sold on the open intake again. I was looking at the Cobra intakes as well. Same sort of effect as the bootleg. I guess once bitten, twice shy on it. It's no fun limping back home trying to run on gas and water. My last bike had two plugs per cylinder and it would still foul them and the bike would run like crap until it was totally cleaned out

 

[ryderjay]

I'm definitely looking towards this. I'm still not 100% sold on the open intake again. I was looking at the Cobra intakes as well. Same sort of effect as the bootleg. I guess once bitten, twice shy on it. It's no fun limping back home trying to run on gas and water. My last bike had two plugs per cylinder and it would still foul them and the bike would run like crap until it was totally cleaned out

In theory, the amount of rain that would pass through a properly oiled performance filter into your throttle bodies (instead of collecting at the bottom of the backplate and filter) would end up ionized and simply burned off during combustion. This can actually help clean out your engine. You also can't really compare one bike to another, as bikes and aftermarket parts are deisgned differently. EFI is also much different from carbs.

 

[RustyJake]

In theory, the amount of rain that would pass through a properly oiled performance filter into your throttle bodies (instead of collecting at the bottom of the backplate and filter) would end up ionized and simply burned off during combustion. This can actually help clean out your engine. You also can't really compare one bike to another, as bikes and aftermarket parts are deisgned differently. EFI is also much different from carbs.

The fuel injection is definitely new to me on the bike. My previous bike was jets. I installed the Dynojet PCV last night and struggled a bit with access. Seems to have eliminated my surging. I know I'll wind up having to go the Dyno route at some point using this, but willing to do it with this bike to make it run properly when finally set up the way I want it.
I do appreciate your input and help. I had read quite a bit on the Cobra intakes and rain discussions from some old posts. I see a lot of open intakes and BAK on other bikes and people I've talked to never seemed to have the problems like I did.
Maybe I'm just bad luck in the rain :madgrin: