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What's the benefit of pod filters?

splicer

Just got it firing!
Joined
Jan 24, 2011
Messages
4
My V11 Le Mans has K&N pod filters installed by the previous owner, which is all well and good but I've been reading up around the Internet about pod filters and I'm trying to get a straight answer about why to have them.

I understand that they let more air in freely, which means I have to run a custom FI map. But one of the threads I found while searching the Intarwebs said that the pod filters reduce the motor's power compared to the stock airbox. That doesn't make sense to me on two levels: More air means you can add more gas and get a bigger bang, right? And if they don't increase the power of the motor, why bother with them?

I gather that the pod filters are part of the reason my bike sounds so good (is there anything so sweet as the sound of a Guzzi?) and maybe that's the benefit I'm getting out of it. It's certainly a benefit I'm getting out of it.

I just want to know: if I didn't already have them, what would my motivation be to install them?
 
The two main reasons I know of to have them are looks and sound. They clean up the look of the bike by getting rid of the airbox, and they add intake sound which some people like.
They also can make it easier to service the bike without the airbox in the way.
But as a whole they don't flow air better then a well designed airbox. Back in the old days when airboxes were not well designed they may have been an improvement, but nowadays they tend to loose out if you look at air flow as a whole. Yeah, there may be certain rpms where they do out perform the airbox but if you consider the whole rpm range that you use they usually cost a little flow more then they gain flow. Usually at the very top or the rpm range is where you may see an advantage, but not always. It depends on the design of the airbox.
If you have them and like them keep them.
 
I just installed Pods on my V11 Le Mans..mainly because my side covers where kinda nastied up (cracked at the mounting holes).

I will say this though...the bike now sounds as evil as my Ducati 748/699 race bike...which sports open Arrow full race exhaust. Sounds as good as my old 900SS carb'd Duc with FCR's and open airbox...which, IMO...is one of the best sounding bikes of all time!

Respectfully submitted...
 
I think the pods lose maybe 1 or 2 bhp in the midrange compared to a lidless airbox with a K & N filter but who cares? They look great, you can ditch the huge plastic airbox and side panels, and the suspension is easier to adjust.

And as mentioned by IBA, they sound great!
 
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