Boris
Well-Known Member
Goes that way.
Stay away from this Air filter
- Thread starter Paul466
- Start date
Paul466
Well-Known Member
Yeah, got it from revzilla last week
Paul466
Well-Known Member
Exactly
tntmo
Well-Known Member
I used three of those with no issues, but I suppose that's just my experience. No doubt you got a bad one, but plenty of people have used them without problems.
OEM is the way to go if you want to be sure it fits, I guess!
OEM is the way to go if you want to be sure it fits, I guess!
Paul466
Well-Known Member
That’s what I’m planning on ordering
SparrowHawkxx
Active Member
Paul466
I just now tried to install the HiFlo filter that I purchased in Oct 2023, and it is not a good fit.
Yes, I'm sure you could force it, but it is a rigid plastic and I do not think that would be a smart thing to do.
I was thinking I had used the HiFlo filters on this bike before but maybe not, could have been on my VStrom, or they have just put out some bad filters.
Description of the old and new filters, positioned as they would be in the airbox.
New HiFlo filter:
The “wing” at the front is about 1/16" longer than my current filter, doesn't sound like much but it was already a tight fit.
Both the “wing” at the front end and the one at the back end have quite a slant on them.
Printed on top of the front wing is:
My Current filter (I think it must be an OEM filter):
Both the “wing” at the front end and the one at the back are both relatively flat. (not sure how flat they were when new)
Printed on top of the front wing is:
I just now tried to install the HiFlo filter that I purchased in Oct 2023, and it is not a good fit.
Yes, I'm sure you could force it, but it is a rigid plastic and I do not think that would be a smart thing to do.
I was thinking I had used the HiFlo filters on this bike before but maybe not, could have been on my VStrom, or they have just put out some bad filters.
Description of the old and new filters, positioned as they would be in the airbox.
New HiFlo filter:
The “wing” at the front is about 1/16" longer than my current filter, doesn't sound like much but it was already a tight fit.
Both the “wing” at the front end and the one at the back end have quite a slant on them.
Printed on top of the front wing is:
PP-T30
Printed on the bottom side is: HIFLOFILTRO
HFA 4922
My Current filter (I think it must be an OEM filter):
Both the “wing” at the front end and the one at the back are both relatively flat. (not sure how flat they were when new)
Printed on top of the front wing is:
23P
PP-TD30
Nothing printed on bottom
Paul466
Well-Known Member
Interesting, the wing on this one says PP-T30, whatever that means
RCinNC
Well-Known Member
This is the kind of customer experience that should probably be brought to the manufacturer's attention. I'm not saying that it'll do any good, but any reputable manufacturer should be concerned with issues like parts not fitting properly.
HiFloFiltro is a subsidiary of Bike Alert. This is their UK and US address:
Worldwide Headquarters
Bike Alert plc
30 Optima Park
Thames Road, Crayford
Kent, DA1 4QX
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1322 526 236
Fax: +44 (0) 1322 528 487
North American Headquarters
Bike Alert Inc
2230 Skyview Drive
Lithia Springs
GA 30122
USA
Tel: +1 770 948 8880
Fax: +1 770 948 8893
They also have a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
HiFloFiltro is a subsidiary of Bike Alert. This is their UK and US address:
Worldwide Headquarters
Bike Alert plc
30 Optima Park
Thames Road, Crayford
Kent, DA1 4QX
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1322 526 236
Fax: +44 (0) 1322 528 487
North American Headquarters
Bike Alert Inc
2230 Skyview Drive
Lithia Springs
GA 30122
USA
Tel: +1 770 948 8880
Fax: +1 770 948 8893
They also have a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Paul466
Well-Known Member
Thank You, will definitely get in touch with them, I wonder if they switched molds or suppliers?
SkunkWorks
Well-Known Member
I currently have a HiFlo air filter in mine.
I did not have any fitment issues, and it installed normally just like the oem one I took out.
That was around 3 years ago now..........
I have heard of multiple people having issues with these since then.
I have 2 new ones on the shelf, in the boxes waiting for the next replacement. I should probably check them to see if the wings are flat, or angled?
If my boxed ones are OK, Paul you are welcome to fit one of them to your bike.
Let me know, you can have one of them.
I did not have any fitment issues, and it installed normally just like the oem one I took out.
That was around 3 years ago now..........
I have heard of multiple people having issues with these since then.
I have 2 new ones on the shelf, in the boxes waiting for the next replacement. I should probably check them to see if the wings are flat, or angled?
If my boxed ones are OK, Paul you are welcome to fit one of them to your bike.
Let me know, you can have one of them.
RCinNC
Well-Known Member
It wouldn't surprise me if they switched, especially in light of both supply line issues and profit motive. I don't know for a fact who actually makes their filters, but I don't think it's a stretch to say they're made somewhere besides the US or UK. I suspect there have been a lot of re-negotiations with manufacturers in a post COVID world due to availability problems, and whoever makes the filters now may not be up to the level of expertise of whoever made them in pre-2020.
It's why I think it's important to let companies know when their product isn't up to the expected quality; it lets them know that their customers are aware that their quality control isn't up to par.
I sold Hiflo oil and air filters for 25+ years and I don't think I ever had a bad one. That doesn't mean there aren't some bad ones that slipped through, but overall they are a good filter.
Paul466
Well-Known Member
Thanks Buddy!, Im going to try to return it and get a oem one, would love to compare the differences between them before I do to find out what changed
SkunkWorks
Well-Known Member
I'll grab them and look at them when I get home today.
We can compare them if you want.
Paul466
Well-Known Member
Perfect, i just got off the ph with revzilla, the oem is 3 weeks out, let me know when you have time so we can compare them, Thanks!
RCinNC
Well-Known Member
That's been my experience also. I've put 5 of them in my bike since 2014, and haven't had any issues with fitment. The last one I put in was in June 2022 though, so quality may have slipped since then. I'm due for another change in about 5000 miles, and at that point I'm pretty sure I'll be buying one that was made post-COVID. I'll have to see at that point if my opinion of them changes.
SkunkWorks
Well-Known Member
I'll TEXT you when I get home. I'm available most afternoons.
I can even bring them to work with me (next to Centennial Airport) and you can meet me there anytime.
I just looked back in my pictures.
I received this one in September-2020. This is the one that is currently installed in my bike.
I installed it some time in early 2021, and it fit just fine.
I'll grab the two that I have in my garage when I get home, and I'll contact you.
Rockymountainatv has OEM filters in stock if that helps you any.
SkunkWorks
Well-Known Member
The K&N filters, although oiled, do allow very fine particles of dust to pass through them.
I have experienced this with a couple different vehicles I have owned over the years.
I'm not an engineer, but from looking at their construction they do sacrifice filtering ability for better airflow.
In my opinion, they need more layers of oiled-gauze material to trap the really fine particles.