Thinking of a K&N air filter but...

[N3FOL]

Looks like I will have to call around locally and shop online for replacement of both filters. If I can get them below 25 dollars, I think it should be ok. A scheduled coolant replacement may coincide with the filters. Ride Safe.

[Semi-retired]

You must be using Canadian $. Can you order from a U.S. supplier without paying duty? Like I said before, they can be had mail order for under $25 U.S. each.

 

Even so, $100 once a year for air filters isn't out of line, and most people don't ride enough to have to do it more than every other year.

 

Hey, Patrick!

 

You keep saying how inexpensive these things are ("can be obtained for under $25 each") .......but you don't mention any SOURCES.

 

In your earlier message, in fact, you mention that you got 'hood-winked' by Ron Ayers and ended up paying $38 each after some kind of "special order" fee. (also, you didn't mention whether or not there was a further shipping cost!)

 

I emailed parts@ronayers four days ago (and I made sure to include the comment "Please mention any additional fees, including shipping, tax, etc.........to a Lewiston, NY shipping address.) and am still waiting for a response.

 

Believe me, (darthandy in Welland, ON) I would NEVER have this sort of thing shipped to my house in St. Catharines, Canada. I have a "call-me-when-it-arrives" relationship at both UPS and USAddresses in Niagara Falls, New York.......in addition to my Bank of America savings account, complete with its own US VISA card and a link to my PayPal account.)

 

I invite anyone in Southwestern Ontario to contact me regarding this proven moneysaving setup!!

 

So, Patrick...........WHERE ARE THE CHEAP, MAIL-ORDER FILTERS??? :-) NAME THAT COMPANY AND PLEASE PROVIDE WEBSITE!!

 

[Semi-retired]

Ron Ayers has them for $23.18 each. You'll need two.

 

However, a couple years ago I ordered two of these from Ron Ayers. When I got the invoice, I saw they'd charged me an additional $30 or thereabouts because the filters are some sort of "special order" item that they charge a premium for. After that I stopped doing business with Ron Ayers.

 

But $23 each is not a very high price, IMO. If you can get them and not have to pay some sort of ridiculous premium over retail, then you should be good. Last set I got from the dealer shop. I think they were something like $30 each (can't remember exactly, brain is too old).

 

Patrick in Albuquerque

 

OK, guys...........here's the bottom line on cheap filters:

 

I just got off the phone from Ron Ayers; I ordered a pair of genuine, Yamaha air cleaner elements from Mathew in Parts......and he said he'll ship them to my NY mailing address for $51.06........bottom line. No extra fees, no shipping charges.........BOTTOM LINE.

 

I read him Patrick's paragraph, "However, a couple years ago I ordered two of these from Ron Ayers. When I got the invoice, I saw they'd charged me an additional $30 or thereabouts because the filters are some sort of "special order" item that they charge a premium for. After that I stopped doing business with Ron Ayers."..........(don't worry, Pat, I didn't mention your name.....although I did say Albaquerque, so he MAY send the dogs after you.. :-).........and he said he has NO IDEA what you would have meant by the $30 extra charge.

 

So, there ya go. Ron Ayers, http://www.ronayers.com appears to be the cheap source of genuine Venture air filters.

 

Cheers, and have a safe weekend of riding.

 

Mike

[pickinfred]

This is the best deal I found

 

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/YA-1399-Yamaha-Performance-Replacement-Filter/dp/B000E2CP02/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332514810&sr=8-1]Amazon.com: K&N YA-1399 Yamaha High Performance Replacement Air Filter: Automotive@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41-iSyf9LyL.@@AMEPARAM@@41-iSyf9LyL[/ame]

 

I did need to cut/shave a small amount of the rubber (not the sealing surface !) to allow the filter to fit between the guide. With the OEM filter there was enough room to put a screwdriver between the guide and filter, but not the case with the K & N.

 

 

I like the performance of the bike much more with the K & N.

 

With less than 800 miles after installing the K & Ns, and that being just short rides,....the MPGs jury is still out. I like to do an average of 4 or 5 tanks for the MPGs.

[allwx]

Actually, the Canadian dollar is trading slightly above par right now and has been for a while. And there's no duty on motorcycle parts. The problem is, our dealers still over-charge us because they can get away with it. Mail order can be useful, but the shipping costs can get ugly when they have to mail across the border.

For instance, Superstore tire shipping - free within the U.S. - $75 to Canada - at least that's what it was last year when I checked.

And, if it's sent by UPS, there is a $35 to $45 "brokerage fee" - another way of saying, "Bend over and brace yourself - welcome to the Great White North!"

 

Andy

 

Lordy! But at least you guys have got universal healthcare. What you lose on motorcycle parts you get back when you pay for your healthcare. Down here we may have cheaper motorcycle parts, but our healthcare costs 3x as much as yours, and yours is probably better. Not wanting to open that bucket of argument, just pointing out that stuff has a way of evening out over the long run. I wonder why the shippers charge premiums... maybe they have to pay taxes that they want to recoup.

[FuzzyRSTD]

This is the best deal I found

 

Amazon.com: K&N YA-1399 Yamaha High Performance Replacement Air Filter: Automotive

 

I did need to cut/shave a small amount of the rubber (not the sealing surface !) to allow the filter to fit between the guide. With the OEM filter there was enough room to put a screwdriver between the guide and filter, but not the case with the K & N.

 

 

I like the performance of the bike much more with the K & N.

 

With less than 800 miles after installing the K & Ns, and that being just short rides,....the MPGs jury is still out. I like to do an average of 4 or 5 tanks for the MPGs.

 

thanks fred... i did the k&n filters back when i first serviced my bike. i went with k&n because of the shameful price for the oem filters, a price gouging gimmick i believe. the k&n can be taken out and cleaned every two years or so and placed back. i am for saving the ridiculous price for two paper filters. i would use an oily rag before i would pay that to replace the oem paper every two yrs or sooner in different climates and road conditions.

no disrespect to anyone, but there is not even a question as to what i would do, a no brainier.

[FuzzyRSTD]

This is the best deal I found

 

Amazon.com: K&N YA-1399 Yamaha High Performance Replacement Air Filter: Automotive

 

I did need to cut/shave a small amount of the rubber (not the sealing surface !) to allow the filter to fit between the guide. With the OEM filter there was enough room to put a screwdriver between the guide and filter, but not the case with the K & N.

 

 

I like the performance of the bike much more with the K & N.

 

With less than 800 miles after installing the K & Ns, and that being just short rides,....the MPGs jury is still out. I like to do an average of 4 or 5 tanks for the MPGs.

 

you got me wondering about mine fred, i will pull the covers off and check the fit against the filter frame. thank you for this useful post....:thumbsup2:

[Semi-retired]

Lordy! But at least you guys have got universal healthcare. What you lose on motorcycle parts you get back when you pay for your healthcare.

 

Don't be too envious, buddy! Remember that old expression, "You GET what you pay for"?

 

In the case of health care.....Canadian DON'T get what they DON'T pay for. I waited six months for an MRI of my back last year.

 

Yes.....it's great to know that if you need your appendix removed, it won't cost you anything. But on the other hand......it would be nice to know you're not going to DIE while waiting for the surgeon to show up!

 

Please also see http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2012/03/22/marketplace-dirty-hospitals.html about our 'dirty hospitals'........you'll be glad you're where you are!!

 

All that said.....I'm close enough to the border that I can visit a "good" doctor or hospital when I need one quickly.......in Buffalo! I can also pick up gas, beer, eggs, milk and chicken at about HALF of what Canadians normally pay (because of all of our Marketing Boards that protect our poor farmers). The double price we pay on booze is just to protect us from ourselves!! :-)

[allwx]

I hear ya, bro, but know that we wait down here, too. Not typically six months, but it isn't unusual to wait for two months, or even three, to get an appt with a specialist. The idea that in the U.S. people don't wait for specialized medical treatment is a fable. BTW I recently heard from a guy who lives in the U.S. and goes to Canada for medical treatment because he thinks things are better-cleaner-cheaper there. Go figger.

[Semi-retired]

I hear ya, bro, but know that we wait down here, too. Not typically six months, but it isn't unusual to wait for two months, or even three, to get an appt with a specialist. The idea that in the U.S. people don't wait for specialized medical treatment is a fable. BTW I recently heard from a guy who lives in the U.S. and goes to Canada for medical treatment because he thinks things are better-cleaner-cheaper there. Go figger.

 

I guess that's where they get that expression: "The grass is always greener on the other side of the 49th parallel!"