Frankly, I don't know what I have regarding my air filter,
I'd looked into it last year or two, never quite got it sorted out.
I looked for filter replacements, I wasn't successful,
at finding a match.
I believe I have a filter that needs K&N oil, I've been periodically
cleaning it and re-oiling it with K&N oil.
I noticed it running slightly rough, last few days,
with an occasional cough
at low rpm, under acceleration, I took it off today and
cleaned it again, put it back on without oil, as a test,
ran it 10 miles, ran excellent no hesitation or coughing
down low (low rpm under acceleration).
Is this an aftermarket filter, do I need to oil it, can
someone link me a paper filter that would fit , I'd
rather replace paper every month or whenever,
than go through the oil/clean/oil/clean/oil, unless it
is highly recommended. Thanks.... photos of
filter and chrome cover attached.
Apologies for the huge photos, I didn't realize
they might need to be pre-shrunk.

 

It's not a K&N which gets oiled. Ask tech guy where ya got it from. He should know, oil or dry.

 

I have a K&N filter. They say the dirtier it gets the better it filters, who knows, but I basically just clean and oil mine once a year, when I service the bike before putting it away for the winter.

Is it possible that you are oiling a paper high flow filter?

 

Yes, it's quite possible that it is a 'high flow paper', and that is what
I would prefer, but I can't identify it.
I bought this from a dealer not the previous owner so I couldn't
ask the seller what it was.
I remember a year or so ago, searching quite a bit to try and
match what I have, with no luck, if I remember, I couldn't match
the mounting hole pattern, or the filter was a different diameter,
things like that.... shrugs...
I'll keep searching.

 

If you zoom in that mesh looks exactly the same as the K&N I have. Different number filter though.

 

Yes it does, I found a KN on amazon, its red like mine.

 

Thanks all.
I think I found a match, apparently my bike had a stage 1 upgrade, to
this filter, noting that my top 2 bolt holes have little ears around the bolt holes
that I don't find on any of the other filters that I've looked at, pattern also
looks the same (OT; I don't see a text/font sizing option in the tool bar);

''K&N Engine Air Filter: High Performance, Premium, Powersport Air Filter: Fits 2016-2017 HARLEY DAVIDSON (FLSS Softail Slim S) HD-0818''

 

Hmm, well it states on the front of the filter, right below the lower mounting bolt ... "Dry Type Element Do Not Oil" ... so there's that

 

is it April 1st already?

 

It doesn’t get oiled. Clean it good with some dawn detergent or 5he cleaner that comes with a K&N kit. Let it dry and use it .