K&N Air Filter

[TristanGS]

For on '05 GS500F is it worth it? What power gains are typically seen? Also, since it is increasing the airflow is it going to mess with my air/fuel mixture? Will i need to have the bike jetted after installing one?  Trying to decide whether or not it is worth it for a little more grunt.

[Susuki_Jah]

For on '05 GS500F is it worth it? What power gains are typically seen? Also, since it is increasing the airflow is it going to mess with my air/fuel mixture? Will i need to have the bike jetted after installing one?  Trying to decide whether or not it is worth it for a little more grunt.

I enjoy it. I bought the bike with it in, jetted and with a V&H . it is nice to never have to buy a new filter either, just clean it, oil it and put her back in.

[wladziu]

Meh. 
I wouldn't do it. 
Cost versus gain... waste of time.  It makes a little whooshy noise initially at throttle, which you can't hear when the wind is blowing.  I'd spend the money on carb boots, which are probably cracked and making you run even leaner. 
You're gonna want to rejet, anyway, if you keep the bike any length of time. 
You'll go a tiny bit faster, but you'll have to nearly kill yourself to notice it.  And, in that situation, you'd rather that you had spent the money on new brake lines. 

I see you have an '05, so nevermind about the carb boots. 
I bought a KN for my 93, simply because I hate putting the stock airbox back in.  Other than that, it's a piece of unseen eye-candy.  If you drive on the highway, then sure.  But, if you're riding around town, I'd recommend the ignition advance and brake lines instead. 
Just my opinion.
Plus, some people say that running lean helps quicken warm-up times, which helps in-town short trips more enjoyable. 


If you think your GS is too slow, then try riding a Nighthawk 250 or something similar.  Save the cash for better leather. 

[TristanGS]

I'm looking at buying a Daytona 675 sometime soon once I have the money. But for now I would like some more kick outa my 500 haha.  And yea, my leathers are from 1986   my dads old ones

[bill14224]

I agree with wladziu.  Wait until excrement wears out, then upgrade it, as the gains are tiny.  Look at the dyno run for Anne's bike.  The link to it is on the main page of this website.  A bone-stock GS 500 puts 41.2 HP to the rear wheel.  She has a V&H exhaust, K&N filter, and Dyno-jet kit.  The dyno shows she picked-up exactly 2 HP for about $388 worth of add-ons, which is a 4.85% increase in horsepower.  Whoopie freakin' doo.

[galahs]

It makes it alot louder. Positive or negative depending on your preference.

[joshr08]

if you want more kick regear drop a tooth or 2 in the front or go up 3 or 6 in the rear or do both.  more kick off the line.  you wont feel a k&n filter

[fred]

For on '05 GS500F is it worth it? What power gains are typically seen? Also, since it is increasing the airflow is it going to mess with my air/fuel mixture? Will i need to have the bike jetted after installing one?  Trying to decide whether or not it is worth it for a little more grunt.

Probably not worth it for the extra grunt... Maybe worth it if you want the sound. You will have to rejet. One huge plus though: you don't ever have to fight with the stupid stock airbox ever again. I didn't fully appreciate this until I got a project bike that still has the stock airbox on it. It is such a huge pain to get that stupid thing on and off the bike over and over again when you're trying to diagnose a carb problem. The lunchbox goes on and off so easily and leave so much more room to route all the hoses in that area. It is worth thinking about...

[Weston]

$35 lunchbox filter off amazon, $10 for new jets, 10 times easier to work on. the factory filter box is a pain. I don't know why, but when I put my filter I FELT a difference. maybe my old filter was just plugged. IDK but I would say its well worth while.

[TristanGS]

so many mixed reviews ahhh!     haha

[ineedanap]

well I might as well throw my 2 cents in too.  I'm with weston.  It was the first thing I did when I bought the bike.  I had to clean the carbs anyway since I bought a bike out of a barn.  I hate the airbox since it's a pain to work around, so...it saved me time, I rejetted when I cleaned the carb, and everything was easy to put back together without the gosh darn airbox.  Hey the way I look at it 2hp is $25 per horsepower.  That's darn cheap. 

[bill14224]

That's 2 HP for $388.  You forgot to add the cost of the V&H exhaust.  So that's $194/hp.. not so cheap.

[galahs]

That's 2 HP for $388.  You forgot to add the cost of the V&H exhaust.  So that's $194/hp.. not so cheap.

I agree

[ineedanap]

but your sig says k and n drop in, not a lunchbox.  Your jetting on the dyno thread matches what my jetting was with just a lunchbox.  That would be some indication of horsepower since extra air requires extra fuel.  Is it a drop-in because that's apples to oranges.   

[wladziu]

23 year old armor makes a charming story but not very well protected vertebra.  Dad's old leather makes a great family treasure, but a man deserves his own armor.  What's more important: your Dad's jacket or your sensation in your lower limbs?  

I'm not trying to insult you.  But, if you're looking for more "kick", then you should start by buying more armor and not more fast.  

[Weston]

Yeah, the k and n drop in is a waste of time. You want the lunchbox. And as far as the $388 whatever was done, the majority of the extra power is probably coming from the intake not the exhaust. consider this: stock: 127ish jets, just lunchbox: 140ish jets, lunchbox+exhaust: 150ish jets... I know jet size and horsepower are not exactly proportional but there is somthing to be said of it.

[galahs]

Sorry I'm going to have to agree, the horse power gain you get with re-jetting, new exhaust and K&n lunchbox filter is nothing to write home about. Well at least not on the new 3 stage carbs.

The GS will never be a SuperSports bike, but that's not to say it isn't fun.

Yes those mods make it slightly better, yes it makes the bike sound tough, but don't expect a magical transformation.

[TristanGS]

23 year old armor makes a charming story but not very well protected vertebra.  Dad's old leather makes a great family treasure, but a man deserves his own armor.  What's more important: your Dad's jacket or your sensation in your lower limbs?  

I'm not trying to insult you.  But, if you're looking for more "kick", then you should start by buying more armor and not more fast.  

I'm not wearing it for the "family treasure" aspect, I have no money. I cant afford good leathers.

[fred]

23 year old armor makes a charming story but not very well protected vertebra.  Dad's old leather makes a great family treasure, but a man deserves his own armor.  What's more important: your Dad's jacket or your sensation in your lower limbs?  

I'm not trying to insult you.  But, if you're looking for more "kick", then you should start by buying more armor and not more fast.  

I'm not wearing it for the "family treasure" aspect, I have no money. I cant afford good leathers.

How about getting decent textile gear? Also, if you're worried about impact only, you can get armor to wear under the old leathers... They make all kinds of armor packages that are made to go under other gear that are CE approved and all that good stuff. It is worth looking in to. Gear is expensive, but well worth having. I spent about as much on my first set of gear as I did on my bike and I've far exceeded that cost at this point but my safety is worth it in my opinion...

[wladziu]

I'm strapped for cash, too.  That's why I'm telling you not to blow greenbacks on an air filter.  I did, and I wish I hadn't.  Now, I find myself putting my knee down when I'm not paying attention, with nothing but denim between my patella and asphalt. 

Like I said, we're not trying to dog you or anything.  I wish I had my Dad's jacket.  You're wearing more than some idiots, so I guess that's something.  But, invest in yourself before your bike.  Please. 
Besides, you think you're the first person trying to go as fast as possible?  Why not stand out from the crowd a little? 

Get a spine protector and have I love YOU sew it in, to update that vintage leather.  Or, buy some better gloves.  Or some padded shorts.  They're about the same price.  You'll get a little bit of insurance for your pelvis and lower vertabrae, and it's more comfortable on long rides.  Won't go "whoosh" (unless you fart), you won't get an extra negligible horsepower, and the chicks won't see it (maybe).  I don't think that would matter if you got T-boned in traffic.