FWIW....

Followup to the K&N & HifloFiltro information for anyone interested....

I found my notes on the K&N filter change.

About 2016, K&N switched to another vendor. I'm not sure if it was a complete changeover, or they just added an additional vendor for the 171 filters. There were reports of the nut on the end of the filter being cheaply made, and the nuts "rounding off" when trying to remove the filters. The reports of issues were on the K&N 171 Filters with 6 holes, red anti-siphon valve, and an "A" stamped in the filter thread cap.

In 2018, a guy on tech forum shared a picture of two K&N 171 filters he had. They had obvious differences in their manufacture. He wrote to K&N asking about the difference. This was their reply:

"K&N Tech <TECH@KNFILTERS.COM>
Reply on 5/23/2018 6:12 PM.

Hello,

Thank you for contacting K&N. Some K&N oil filters will have 6 inlet holes instead of 8. This is due to different manufactures of certain K&N oil filter part numbers. There is no performance difference between the 6 holes and 8-hole design. All the K&N oil filters are designed to meet or exceed OEM specs. They may also have the difference in color of media. If you have further questions please call 80-858-3333.

Thank you,

K&N Customer Service & Tech Support
tech@knfilters.com
http://www.knfilters.com
Phone: (800) 858-3333"


Here is a pic of his two K&N 171 filters from 2018. The one on the right is the "other vendor" K&N 171 filter with numerous quality complaints. The one on the left is the HifloFiltro made K&N 171 filter.

I just went to check. My current stock of HifloFiltro HF171CRC filters look just like the filter on the left, the 2018 HifloFiltro made K&N filter...

 

So there is no need to buy the Hydro if the K&N is made by Hydro (which can be verified by looking at its construction)?

 

I dunno. People say this about things often. Sometimes its true. Sometimes just slapping another label on. But companies also have specs. What level are you getting from the other guy, in general.

 

Except that the HyfloFiltro filter is $3 to $5 dollars cheaper than the K&N.....

I have not bought or seen a K&N 171 filter since I switched to Hyflo Filtro in 2018....

If someone has a current K&N filter, it would be nice if they could post a pic, and we could see if it matches the filter on the left or the right in the pic I posted above...

 

One of the dealerships near me,is running a 3 hole special. 250 plus tax and shop fees.

 

Same here

 

So what does that come out to be? Is just the oil and filter? Shop fees is often a general slush fund for incidentals. So what does it come out to be?

 

I just scheduled my 70,000 mile service, which is 10k service at the dealer. Used to be around $500 (I bring in the fluids).

Now it is $750 ( with my Fluids).

 

Dropped by my bike at the dealer and they’ve had their prices for labor: 1 and 5k a little shy of $500. With supplies and taxes probably will be over $600 .

 

So basically $300