Once again I'm in the process of cleaning the air filter oil. But this time, I am wondering if I need to use oil on the element.
I understand the use of oil on a S or a dirt bike model, but I am questioning if I really need it for on-road only riding.
Any thoughts?

Edit: Forgot to mention I ride in the rain

 

You always want to oil the air filter, the oil catches all the fine particles from going into your motor. Ever see a on road car's air filter?

 

Yes, and if I remember right it was dry.

 

If you're talking paper filters like many cars have, then obviously you don't oil them. Foam filters on the other hand do very little but keep bugs out if you don't oil them. It's not even what your eyes can see that does most of the damage to an engine without a good paper, oiled fabric, or oiled foam filter. Running a foam or K&N style filter without oil is suicide.

 

Don't be lazy, do the job right. Read the manual. A filter without oil is like a gun without bullets.

 

Ok. I'll oil that thing. I hate it, thou.
Thank you, guys.

 

Malve, what kind of filter oil are you using? I would agree that most foam filter oils are extremely messy, tacky, and hard to clean off during service. Frankly, one can use nondetergent motor oil in the 20-30 weight range with about equal success...almost. The benefits of most foam oils...basically based on a 2-stroke premix oil...is that they shed water better and don't tend to drip their excess into the airbox or intake. I use 30wt nondetergent motor oil on my Twin Air and Uni filters that I interchange. I do not go into any deep water...period. You will get some drip into the airbox after service which comes out the drain hose. Gravity will do this despite whatever measures you try to do to avoid it...unless you probably didn't apply enough oil in the first place. A quality filter with a proper weight motor oil will filter the air about as good as any foam filter oil. You'll get some heated arguments on this issue sometimes, but foam filter oil's quality shines in its water-shedding capability, and the fact that it's almost impossible to make it drip its excess oil unless you just soaked the filter in it. When I raced enduros and absolutely had to do big creek crossings and such, I would use nothing but true foam filter oil.

 

I've been using SAE 90 oil. I live in Brazil and we don't have the range of cleaners you guys do in the US. My dealer carries Motul air filter oil. It's just so expensive over here, but since it's not a very often maintenance, I may get it anyways.
I don't do off-road at all and never went in the water or ever will. Just rain.

 

Its a messy job oiling foam filters. Put your filter in a plastic bag, use enough oil to do the job, then kneed/squeeze the filter till the filter is covered evenly as possible. Use those latex gloves to install. This is one reason that K&N filters rock....

Cleaning foam filters are a mess too. Dawn dish washing liquid & warm water, lather rinse repeat....

 

Its just oil guys, i think you guys need to buy some better soap. I just cleaned and oiled my air filter for my KLR and the KLX. Take air filter out, wash it in kerosene, then wash it in degreaser, let dry, oil with air filter oil, install and wipe off excess on hands with paper towel then was hand with gojo and the stuff comes right off, if i really wanted to make sure it comes off i could use kerosene or gasoline. I dont find it a nuisance at all, no more than getting chassis grease all over your hands.