DNA vs K&N vs OEM Kawasaki Z 1000 2010-12, Versys 1000 2011-12 air filter test @ DNA Filters

OEM & Performance air filters Air Flow Test at DNA's R&D department.
Following the request of many users of DNA High Performance Filters for the popular Kawasaki Z1000 2010-12, Versys 1000 2011-12,
we have conducted a "back to back" air flow test of the following air filters:
Kawasaki Z 1000 2010-12 vs K&N KA-1010 vs DNA P-K10S10-0R.
The test took place at the R&D department of DNA Filters Greece.

• Flow Bench used "Rotronics Flow Scan" fully computerized variable rpm flow bench.
• Ambient temperature 25.6 degrees Celsius
• Humidity 30%
• Set pressure 1.5 inches of water or 3.74 mbar
• Air flow measured in CFM cubic feet per minute
• Air flow corrected @ 25 degrees Celsius
• Date 30-3-2012
Clamed air flow by the air filter manufacturers:
• Kawasaki OEM none
• K&N Filters 212.7 cfm @ 1.5 inH2O
• DNA Filters 181.4 cfm @ 1.5 inH2O
Test results 30-3-2012 (same day, same conditions, same flow bench, and same operator, back to back):
• Kawasaki OEM 152 cfm @ 1.5 inH2O
• K&N Filters 161.6 cfm @ 1.5 inH2O
• DNA Filters 184.6 cfm @ 1.5 inH20
Technical analysis of the filters tested:
• Kawasaki OEM
Frame: Polypropylene TD 30 Thermoplastic injection molded frame
Filtering material: Paper impregnated in oil
Filtering material geometry: 38 pleats-28mm pleat height-4.5mm pleat pitch
Filtering material orientation: pleats extend on the Y axis
Effective filtering area -Designed: 234.170 mm2
Effective filtering area -Actual: 220.380 mm2 (tooling sealing footprint and frame material leaks subtracted)
Design: typical OEM trapezoid design
Wire mesh on the clean side keeps paper media if damaged from entering the engine, but reduces the air flow..
• K&N KA-1010
Frame: Rigid PU resin RIM (Reaction injection molding) Hardness 90 shore D (hard and brittle)
Filtering material: multilayer cotton oil impregnated, 4 layers supported by 2 wire mesh
Filtering material geometry: 25 pleats-20mm pleat height-6.35mm pleat pitch
Filtering material orientation: pleats extend on the Y axis
Effective filtering area -Designed: 109.886 mm2
Effective filtering area -Actual: 86.175 mm2 (tooling sealing footprint and frame material leaks subtracted)
Design: typical OEM style trapezoid design
• DNA P-K10S10-0R
Frame: Elastomer PU resin RIM (Reaction injection molding) Hardness 70 shore A (flexible)
Filtering material: multilayer cotton oil impregnated, 4 layers, supported by 2 wire mesh
Filtering material geometry: 14 pleats-21mm pleat height-10.2mm pleat pitch
Filtering material orientation: pleats extend on the X axis
Effective filtering area -Designed: 96.970 mm2
Effective filtering area -Actual: 87.263 mm2 (tooling sealing footprint and frame material leaks subtracted)
Design: DNA'S innovative FCD full contour design
Work Flow of the test:
A special adapter is CNC machined to accept the filters tested. This adapter simulates the air box sealing surface and seals against the filter via an EVA foam o-ring. The adapter is installed /sealed via EVA foam on a plenum and the plenum installed on the flow bench.
The flow bench software is set to 1.5 inH2O (3.74mbar) set pressure in the plenum. This is the 'target set pressure' that we ask the flow bench to stabilize at, and record the air flow.
The air flow and all data are recorded in 'machine language' and displayed in any kind of units we wish (cfm, lit per min, etc.)
Additionally the following parameters are saved for each test:
Mass of the air, temperature, humidity, speed (pitot tubes).
For each filter we conduct 20 air flow tests in sets of 5 or 10. The required stabilization time for each test is minimum 3 sec.
Last but not least we conduct a back to back test of all the filters "without switching of the flow bench" (this video) or altering the set pressure for all of you to see.
The flow bench is computer/inverter controlled and it stabilizes automatically at the set target after the new test filter is installed.
We hope the above tests will be enlightening for all the motorsport enthusiasts and prove that innovative design when designing filters, is the way to go.
When DNA first announced the Z 1000 2010 air filter November 2010, we announced 181.4 cfm, a figure 1.8% less than our current test...the conclusions are yours.
OEM 152 CFM
K&N 161.6 CFM +6.3% compared to stock
DNA 184.6 CFM +21.4% compared to stock
For us respect to our customers comes first.
Sincerely the DNA R&D team

[@REDSIX]

OEM=152 CFM, K&N=161.5 CFM, DNA=184.5 CFM I just saved you almost 8 minutes, you're welcome.

[@wr450fmotard4]

+1

[@wr450fmotard4]

+1

[@chickend2]

well as air is flowing better, that wasn't supposed to mean that less dirty is being filtered? I wanna buy one but i´m afraid.

[@CS-Loc]

Not all heros wear capes. Thank you.

[@michaeldeliyanis3716]

Glad I checked down the comments to see yours. Saved me time and 'cracked me up'. LMAO 🤣 Thanks

[@juneng5089]

Just bought this for my kawasaki z900, really can feel the respon, good job DNA

[@elmura73]

The reason the DNA filter has much higher airflow is the much larger surface area. This is key to airflow

[@Lilmiddwest]

Love to see what BMC air filter will do.. I never like K&N in cars.

[@NoShadowOfDoubt1]

it would help if you put the simple results in your video description...

[@Ozninjaguy]

The air flow results are interesting - but I think for the average motorcyclist, filtration rate is equally as important given the pollutants and dust within the environment. Maybe a higher air flow means less filtration and consequently higher engine wear.. How about a back to back filtration test?

[@DNAHighPerformanceFilters]

98-99 % filtering efficiency! This is what we offer to all of our products. Of course the filtering efficiency is what the end user needs and this is why our filtering material is ISO 5011 certified for 99% filtering efficiency. We are not compromising our quality for better air flow, on the contrary we are getting the better air flow from the design of our products. You can read more here: www.dnafilters.com/en/origin

[@Ceagles6]

Efficiency doesn't play as important a role as airflow does for performance air filters used for racing. For the road efficiency is important but as is airflow so you need a balance to meet an efficiency standard, but keep in mind that efficiency increases over time with a dirty air filter. So at some point even if the efficiency is lower it would eventually rise to acceptable levels but also lose flow/power. For racing I would put in a DNA all day everyday.

[@BravoNine69]

The DNA filters airflow is a little more than 20% more over the stock. I'm curious to what size particles the DNA filter stops vs the stock filter as well.

[@DNAHighPerformanceFilters]

Hello Brandon, all of our products are certified with ISO 5011 to 98-99% filtering efficiency. We can stop up to 5 microns of dust. You can also read more here: www.dnafilters.com/en/dna-in-action Concerning the stock air filter unfortunately we do not know the percentage they have for filtering efficiency to comment on that.

[@Jura.09]

I see you in 2019 and installed it on my GSX-R1000. THANKS.

[@jeremyevans5864]

How did it do as far as making power?

[@markymarknj]

I bought a DNA filter for my Royal Enfield Meteor 350, and I could feel the difference. I was going to get a K&N filter for my car, but after seeing this test, I got a DNA filter instead. If this small motorcycle filter flowed so much more air, how much more would a car filter flow? After installing the filter in my car, MY CAR FEELS LIKE NEW! It'e never run better! THANK YOU for a wonderful product! I'm a customer for life now... :)

[@flyingernst]

Hello DNA, thanks for this great test. Would you mind repeating this test for the KTM SD1290R Filter? Is it possible to show additionaly the difference between serial and DNA Filter on two or three different pressure-settings (to show high-RPM with low and high throttelposition and lowRPM with low throttelposition) Thanks and regards

[@geraldperry7779]

Have one on order for my 2020 KTM 1290 R Super Duke along with Austin slip-on exhaust. Will see how good filter is without the can then with the can. If i can get 3-5 hp increase with nice drivability I'll be happy. It runs great stock, new to v-twin,but to me runs great. Just a little vibration i guess you can expect that.

[@pswstoreonline1121]

Amazing filters!

[@LSNReddy]

What happen when the DNA AIR FILTER is watered when we servicing the bike ??

[@DR-hw9js]

You should do a comparison against Sprint Fliters. Brock Davidson of Brock's performance swears by them.

[@randomchannel1712]

Sprints will outperform everything it terms of flow. In terms of filtering though, that's subject to debate

[@steven-vn9ui]

There is just no way a free flowing filter beats a paper filter on filtration, unless someone can change my mind, I just cannot see how you can get both flow and filtration at the same time.

[@skotsephrenia1]

DNA flows significantly higher than both k&n and OEM filters... But how about the filtering capacity of it.. Higher flow does not transcribe directly to good filtering rratio.. Correct me if Am wrong..

[@DNAHighPerformanceFilters]

Hello Diether, all of our products are certified with ISO 5011 to 98-99% filtering efficiency. We can stop up to 5 microns of dust. You can also read more here: www.dnafilters.com/en/dna-in-action Concerning the stock air filter unfortunately we do not know the percentage they have for filtering efficiency to comment on that.

[@michaelfisher648]

All of the focus is on air flow rate. What about filtering ability? These are air filters after-all. If you have no filtration at all, your flow rate is going to be great

[@DNAHighPerformanceFilters]

Michael Fisher thanks for the comment! So, all our products offer 98-99% filtering efficiency. Our filtering material is the same to all of our products, from scooter air filters up to wsbk air filters. The filtering efficiency for our filtering material is proved with independent ISO:5011 tests. The sure thing is that our products are the most filtering efficient aftermarket air filters produced today. Moreover, to gain air flow we specially design each product in the OEM air box and we are not just copying an OEM air filter and then use our materials for a DNA Air Filter. We are here to assist you with anything else you may need.

[@geraldperry7779]

I purchased new 2020 KTM 1290 R Super Duke, with a Austin slip-on exhaust and one of your DNA filter can i expect a couple horsepowers?

[@DNAHighPerformanceFilters]

Yes, we have seen some great results on the dyno for this specific model with Akrapovic slip-on.

[@clint0699]

DNA is the best!....look at the XT660 or KTM Filters....DNA produces Stage 2 Filters , K&N not. And the Flow of the DNA´s is in every Tests better.

[@rizos886]

DNA 🇬🇷 ❤️

[@daniloorbolato]

But if I change the stock filter into a DNA filter will not the engine run leaner? And if yes won't I have to do other mods to the engine so it doesn't run to warm and stuff?...

[@DNAHighPerformanceFilters]

Hello Danilo, yes the engine will run leaner and the stock ECU will re-adjust the fuelling the best way possible. In the end the engine will not run warm and it will not be a problem, on the contrary you will have better flow, better power and if you ever do future mods you will have better gains.Thank you for your time.

[@sural89]

the ECU can't adjust the fueling at wot,it just read a map assuming your filter and your exhaust are stock

[@randomchannel1712]

@@sural89 it depends if wot is run at closed or open loop

[@sural89]

@@randomchannel1712 wot always run open loop

[@randomchannel1712]

@@sural89 in some motorcycles with wide bands it's not

[@evageloskotsenas7456]

Φιλτρο gia hyundai i10 N LINE 2022-23 MODELO διαστασεις 27 cm x 11cm περιπου και πως το παγγελνουμε?

[@DNAHighPerformanceFilters]

Καλημερα σας, θα πρεπει να μιλησετε με τον αντιπροσωπο μας στην Ελλαδα για αυτο το request. www.tecnomoto.gr & 2109242410

[@franktran2790]

im riding zx10r 2016 now... di i choose DNA or BMC filter anyone plss !!!

[@geraldperry7779]

I ran BMC in my ZX14 nothing special, then put DNA honestly can't say theirs more power or it's running smoother anyway theirs a difference that i felt.

[@CAPTAINPAUL01]

Do you have one for zh2 video?

[@DNAHighPerformanceFilters]

The competitor you are mentioning does not produce an air filter for the ZH2.

[@farfrmhome]

The filter element of the K&N air filter in the test looks unusually dark. Was it over-oiled by any chance to reduce air flow?

[@JasonSobell]

That's their usual colour. Even if disposable filters are over-oiled, the extra oil simply gets sucked straight out and wasted

[@ganeshvadcar8098]

oiling is not done for air flow, it is put to stick dirt from the air onto the filter. Receiving high quality air Intake

[@davidchapman3375]

Yes, I know this is a year old. Jason, the excess only gets sucked through to a certain degree and depending on how long its used after drying. So if they overloaded with oil, waited 30 minutes, then ran the test... I can assure you that filter will not perform the same if properly oiled. I over soaked the K&N on my mustang gt and went for a quick 3 mile ride and when I let off the gas, instead of coasting with a soft gradual RPM fall, RPM's fell fast and the engine sound changed since the mixture was being starved of O2. I took the filter out wiped it and tapped it gently on the ground a few times and the next run 1 hour later was back to normal sound and de-accel rate. Basically the difference from releasing the gas pedal in an automatic while in Over-Drive and then Drive. Yes it is to catch dirt and not increase air flow. It will decrease air flow if over saturated, however. The manual on maintenance even states this.

[@21777gabriel]

'Αψογοι!!!!!!!

[@joshctaylor]

I'd believe it more if this was a power run

[@joshctaylor]

Out of interest, what does the motor industry use as a filter performance metric? I'd imagine the important part is the pressure differential across the filter. Is some kind of filter drag coefficient used?

[@randomchannel1712]

@@joshctaylor you set desired airflow and you measure the pressure delta. That gives you an idea of how well the filter flows

[@randomchannel1712]

Well, there are filters that would easily outperform cotton gauze...

[@DNAHighPerformanceFilters]

Hello there, for something to be called a filter it should filter the air coming through the engine for particles as small as 5 microns and as big as 150 microns. Our products as certified with the ISO 5011 standards for these numbers. So at the end of the day yes there may be some other materials which will outperform our cotton air filters but you can not call them air filters. You can call them anything else you may like but unfortunately these products will not properly filter the air coming in the engine and protect the engine.

[@randomchannel1712]

@@DNAHighPerformanceFilters dear DNA, first of all thank you for the swift reply. Ive seen that you claim conformity to the ISO 5011 test, though as you are most likely aware there is both a coarse and a fine test. You do not specify at which one you gain the 98-99% efficiency. Obviously and as you most likely know iso coarse test dust does contain particles from 1μm up to 180μm in size so you could claim filtration from 5 to 150 microns as you do. Also the 5011 is a very flexible test allowing the engineers to set the flow parameters and the test conditions (to an extent obviously). I am not saying that your filters are or aren't the best. But what I am saying is that filters should be characterized by a filtration efficiency at a micron level. More so not all particles sizes are harmful to an engine it all depends on the tolerances involved as well as the diffusion of the contaminants. Therefore I am skeptical about filtration efficiency provided as a whole percentage based on a industry test albeit of unspecified type (fine or coarse). My kindest regards.

[@DNAHighPerformanceFilters]

@@randomchannel1712 Hello again, thank you for your reply and we completely understand your concerns. So let’s start that we are the only company in our field with ISO 5011 certified filtering material. We can claim anything we want but on the contrary we are clear on everything we publish and we will never try to deceive our valuable customers. We are producing air filters that we ,as motorcyclists , are using on our bikes. To make a long story short, here you can find a link to download an independent test from a motorcycle magazine in France from many years ago with many products you can find in the market right now. Please note that this is independent. Article: www.dropbox.com/s/dt7k98sjpbetf33/moto%20mag%20filter%20test.pdf?dl=0 Of course if you have more concerns about our products and our tests we will be more than happy to discuss it with you. And the best option will be to send an email to our technical support team at [e-mail]

[@dougfreeman3229]

@@DNAHighPerformanceFilters Can't read french, but it appears all the filters flowed the same. Appears to be some cost savings over life do to less oil on the filter? but contradicts your video results. did you have equal amounts of oil on the filters for your test? The K&N appears more oil saturated vs your DNA which would account for the flow difference in your test vs the article you linked to.

[@DNAHighPerformanceFilters]

@@dougfreeman3229 Hello Doug, the air flow is completely different. 161.6 CFM for the KN Filter and 184.6 CFM for the DNA Filter is a huge difference. Concerning the oil both filters are tested as supplied from the factories and we haven't changed removed or add any oil.

[@King88_8]

doesnt help if it doesnt filter out dirt

[@fadyalam6712]

I believe they have the same micron and the K&N filter, they have a greater surface area which allows a higher flow without decreased filtering.

[@jhernandez50094]

dna air filter only ride not a car.