Aftermarket vs OEM Oil filter

[kman0066]

Did an oil change today with an OEM filter. I happened to have a 303 filter from Hi-Flo laying around, which is the same as the K&N 303 filter, which they are claiming will work. So I wanted to show the difference between the 2. The threading and O-ring are the same, so it should fit on the bike physically. But I don't think it's going to have the same ratings as the OEM piece. So I'm sticking with OEM for this bike, but I'm usually the first to go with an aftermarket oil filter too.

[cOoTeR]

There's a lot of anti K&N oil filter talk out there. There's even some tracks that won't allow vehicles to run on the track with them. There have been a few failures causing oil to spew out.

[FJR919]

I used to be a big K&N oil filter fan. No more. I've had a friend who had two filters leaking where they attach the wrenching nut ( I believe it was a FJR1300 filter and a BMW boxer filter). Personally, I used to buy them for my Mustang until they started making them in Mexico and weren't even the same dimensions even though the application number was the same. I cut oil filters open and all the OEM filters are of good quality. The FRAM filters looked the crappiest with cardboard end caps and string tied around the filter medium presumably to control it expanding under oil pressure. With what we pay for these machines it's a false economy to skimp on oil filters

[Turbophil]

Are Bosch filters any good? I found a couple that would fit our bikes I think. Using the KN-303 now. Already put 5400 miles on her in 2.5 months.

[JustinP]

The HF124RC is the correct HifloFiltro model for this bike. Like the OEM it has more filter element surface.

http://www.hiflofiltro.com/catalogue/filter/HF124RC

[kman0066]

Good to hear they've updated their reference. The 303 filter used to be what showed up for H2 in their catalog. If its a closer match, I wouldn't be afraid to use the hi-flo. I use them on all my other bikes, it was just so wrong on the H2 I posted the above.

[Turbophil]

For budget people I found the Bosch 3310 oil filter for $2.90 US. Same size as the Kawi oem.