Ness Big Sucker VS SE Air Filter Kit
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Road Captain
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Ness Big Sucker VS SE Air Filter Kit
I noticed that most forum members have chosen the Ness Big Sucker over the SE version. They look the same and are about the same in cost. Just wondered why the lean toward the Big Sucker?
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Denver Colorado
RE: Ness Big Sucker VS SE Air Filter Kit
I had the Ness AC...ran a few thousand miles with it...one day Iremoved the coverto clean the filter and foundthat one of thebacking plate studs had broken off at the throttle body...there was just enough threads left to lock a small vise-grip on it to getthe broken piece of "allthread"backed out of my throttle body (I was lucky as hell)...the Ness units use cheaper weaker threaded studs to hold on the filter element...that and the older Ness backplates have a reputation for cracking...I now have a "hybrid" AC consisting of a Ness chrome backplate, K&N filter (which came with the S.E. kit), and S.E. mounting hardware...the hardware that comes with the SE is of better quality than the stuff they give you with the Ness kit...if I had it to do over I would have gone with the S.E. from the start.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Orange VA
RE: Ness Big Sucker VS SE Air Filter Kit
Why choose one over another? Cost mostly. There is a well-earned perception that HD charges more for their products because they say "HD" on them. Although generally, things that have "AN" printed on them can be just as costly as "HD" so it depends on where you buy from. In terms of flow rates, with few exceptions relating to engine displacement and use, just about any aftermarket air cleaner and filter assembly is going to give you roughly the same amount of increase over the stock unit.
I'll get flamed for saying that since there are lots of tech sheets out there that show CFM differences plus you have people that spent a lot of extra money on a particular setup in the hopes of getting more performance and need to justify it in their minds by convincing you what they bought was better than what you bought. But for most of us out there the differences are indistinguishable when we are riding.
Yes there are legitimate flow differences. But in real life, even combined with $0.50, those differences present on tech sheets won't make your bike go any faster or even buy you a cup of coffee.
I'll get flamed for saying that since there are lots of tech sheets out there that show CFM differences plus you have people that spent a lot of extra money on a particular setup in the hopes of getting more performance and need to justify it in their minds by convincing you what they bought was better than what you bought. But for most of us out there the differences are indistinguishable when we are riding.
Yes there are legitimate flow differences. But in real life, even combined with $0.50, those differences present on tech sheets won't make your bike go any faster or even buy you a cup of coffee.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2005
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RE: Ness Big Sucker VS SE Air Filter Kit
I've run both as open elements and with covers and had them both on the dyno. What I have found is that the Big Sucker helps high end horesepower and the K&N HD-0800 (similar to the SE) seems to make more low end torque. My guess is the inverted cone and bigger volume of air behind the Big Sucker does not promote as much initial velocity as the K&N PN# but supports morepeak CFM flow. The Big Sucker also extends an inch and a half out more from the jugs and contacts my knee (6'-0", 190 lbs). To me they are a wash, low end vs high end. Both work fine so like a lot of people are saying here, it comes down to looks and price. The SE backing plate comes in chrome now too but the Ness backing plate seems like it offers a smoother flow since it is machined better than the HD PN# (in my opinion). Here's pictures of how I run the Big Sucker versus the SE filter because of its larger size: https://www.hdforums.com/m_3418656/tm.htm.
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Road Captain
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RE: Ness Big Sucker VS SE Air Filter Kit
I can see that I would not want the extra length of the Big Sucker. Thanks for the pics. I think that it, like you, would be pushing the leg off the floorboards all the time. No fun!
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