The 8 Best Air Intakes for Harley Davidson Motorcycle

Harley Davidson motorcycles are some of the most popular on the market and for good reason. They’re stylish, they sound great, and they’re built to last. But what makes them really stand out is their performance.

To get the most out of your Harley, you need to choose the right air intake. There are a lot of options on the market, so it can be tough to know where to start. But don’t worry, we’re here to help.

In this blog post, we’ll show you the eight best air intakes for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. We’ll also give you a few tips on what to look for when choosing an air intake for your bike.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, Motoprove.com may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Guideline

Fundamental Function of an Air Filter

An air filter or cleaner does just what its name suggests. The device filters and cleans the air entering your bike. You may be wondering why it’s essential to clean the air anyway. Well, traveling in dusty or polluted environments can be quite harmful to your motorcycle. Dust, debris, dirt, and grime can enter your engine and cause severe damage.

Quite a lot of people face issues with their bikes’ piston walls as it radically decreases their motor’s efficiency and life. Air filters trap these particles and prevent them from going inside our engine, keeping its air uncontaminated and clean.

Different Types of Air Filters

Usually, there are two air filter variants available in the market. One of them is for single-time use. Users have to discard them and replace the filter with another. The second type is reusable – all you need to do is wash them, and you will be free to use it repeatedly.

Companies mostly create single-use air filters from paper. They are usually the cheapest air intakes for Harley Davidson products in the market. That said, their performance is not as bad as you would think. Reusable filters, on the other hand, are mostly available in foam or cotton materials. Users have to wash and re-oil them before using these variants again. Companies primarily design reusable air filters for dirt bikes or similar machines that often operate in dusty environments.

That said, cotton filters are more expensive than any other option. However, they make up for the high prices by providing excellent airflow, especially when comparing it to foam and different restrictive variants.

FAQ

Is It Possible to Improve Your Bike’s Performance without an Air Filter?

Most of your reading this will be wondering might be wondering if installing an airflow filter is essential. After all, why bother adding an air intake device when airflow is all you need to improve your machine’s efficiency and performance. Wouldn’t it be better to remove the device altogether? You could do that, but it would wreck your bike after a couple of thousand miles.

What’s more, you will not see any improvements in your vehicle’s performance without installing a filter. Instead, your engine will deteriorate and eventually become useless. Talk to any long time biking aficionado, and they will tell you that running your motor without a high-quality air filter is like a death sentence for your bike.

Can I Clean Harley Davidson Air Filters?

Do you plan to stick with your motorcycle’s stock filters and do not want to upgrade your bike with performance filters? If yes, you can clean and reuse them. Remember to use lukewarm water and a mild detergent whenever you clean your bike’s stock filter. Steer clear from using harsh chemicals and never use air compressors either. Both of these things can cause irreversible damage to the air intakes for Harley Davidson.

It would be best if you stayed away from carb cleaners, chrome washers, and other conventional cleaning products. Use gentle hands when washing your stock filter and use light air pressure when blowing out the debris. If you want to see whether your air filter is clean, hold it against a bright light source. If the sun shines evenly through each area of the device, you did an excellent job.

With that said, do not hesitate to replace the dirty if it’s too messy. You should also consider changing it if there is too much damage or clogging. Keep checking your Harley Davidson’s stock filter after every five to six thousand miles, especially if you frequently ride in polluted or dusty environments.

How to Wash Your Motorcycle’s Air Cleaner?

The technique to clean your bike’s filter will depend on the type inside your vehicle. Cleaning paper air intakes for Harley Davidson are not useful, and replacing them is the only option. However, if your bike contains a foam filter, use some lukewarm water and a mild detergent. Cleaning this could take some time as you will need multiple washes to remove the dirt altogether.  Be careful while washing a foam filter as it is quite fragile. Use gentle hands to avoid tearing it. Air-dry your bike’s filter and use some air filter oil for re-oiling.

If your vehicle contains a cotton filter, use a cleaning spray specially designed for cleaning this filter variant. Most brands will provide you the spray when you buy their cotton filter. Just shower some of the liquid onto your bike’s air filter and soak it for ten to fifteen minutes. After that, keep rinsing the motorcycle filter until you notice clean water.

Leave the device to dry somewhere for five to six hours. Ideally, it would be best to dry your filter overnight. Re-oil your cotton filter with a thin oil coating. Most cotton filter brands provide oils especially developed for their products – it would be best to use them instead of other oils.

How to Check for a leak on Air Intakes Harley Davidson?

Intakes leaks often occur whenever there is some fissure in the fuel delivery system’s air intakes for Harley Davidson tract. The spill can take place anywhere between the carburetor slide and the cylinder head. Unmetered air enters your motor’s engine whenever there is a leak. Luckily, you can do a few things to check for leaks in your Harley Davidson.

Firstly, start your motorcycle and let it stay idle for a few minutes. Take some probing spray oil and propane torch and switch the latter open without lighting it. Changes in the RPM are a clear indicator of leakage in your motorbike. Here are some leakage symptoms in a Harley Davidson:

• Low oil pressure
• Power loss
• Overheated engine
• Poor oil viscosity

You might be surprised to learn that a Harley Davidson’s leakage symptoms are often similar to diagnosing someone who has yellow fever. From low pressure to lean issues, air intake leaks show up in various subtle and noticeable ways. Usually, when such problems occur, there is an unbalanced ratio of fuel and air inside your motorbike’s engine. It often increases the temperatures of the machine and impacts engine performance. Some people also notice readability issues.

That said, checking leaks is quite complicated, mainly if you are a beginner. Save yourself time and effort by enlisting a professional to check for leakage so that you can promptly fix the issue.

How Much Does best Air Intakes for Harley Davidson Cost?

Air Intakes for Harley Davidson products for Harley Davidson motorcycles are available at various prices. Several brands create aftermarket products, and their rates are quite different. The air intakes for Harley Davidson material, production, and overall quality are also a few critical factors behind its price. Luckily, more and more companies are competing against each other and creating high-quality air intakes.

The abundance of variety means that you will find budget-friendly variants as well as expensive ones. It’s advisable to opt for the best air intakes for harley davidson you can find even if you need to break the bank. It will improve your bike’s performance, add some style, and improve its life. Generally, these products range from 150 Dollars to 600 Dollars, and sometimes even more.

WHAT DOES AN AIR INTAKE DO FOR A MOTORCYCLE?

Dust, dirt and other foreign objects can seriously harm your engine’s internal components. Your vehicle’s airbox and filter enable the engine; which drives your motorcycle, to receive clean air. Your motorcycle’s air filter is in charge of filtering the air that enters your combustion chamber.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHANGE MY HARLEY AIR FILTER?

Generally, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days, or 3 months. That can change based on where your home is located (ex. dusty or dry climates), if you have any pets, and the age of your system and equipment.

WHAT HAPPENS IF HARLEY AIR FILTER GETS WET?

A wet air filter will decrease your car’s performance. If your filter stays wet, it can cause the engine to choke or otherwise run rich. Over time, this can cause water to make its way into your engine, where it can mix with oil and cause a big mess. So it’s worth it to pay attention to the symptoms.

DOES CHANGING AIR FILTER IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE MOTORCYCLE?

If your engine is getting more air, then it can perform better.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know some of the best air intake products to choose from, it is time to install one on your precious bike. It will become energy efficient, and its performance will drastically improve. Choose a reusable option to get the most bang for your back. However, make sure that you clean it frequently so that it lasts long. Also, never hesitate to use a professional’s help if you are new to bikes or their aftermarket products. It certainly beats damaging your vehicle.

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