what's up, all?

just bought my first harley - flhtcui. jumped over everything & got the big boy at 25yrs old. why not, right?

obviously, this thing is a dog out of the box, so i'm doing the research for a stage 1. i thought i found the filter of choice when i came accross the big sucker, but then someone droped a line that the k&n is the same thing, but 'a better made product'.

any comments? i know k&n is a trusted name in filters, so i kind of took that remark seriously, but don't know if there's anything to it. what about performance-wise?

thanks!

o

 

The K&N filter is just that.......a filter.

The Ness Big Sucker is a complete package. It totally removes the stock air box, and replaces it with a nice backing plate and a new filter.

Just the K&N is about $50, or you can order the Big Sucker from www.easternperformance.com for $100 with a chrome backing plate.

Steve

 

The RK3909 k&n is the whole intake...backing plate just like big sucker. When I bought mine they didn't have the big sucker available for the 06 model. I paid 129.00 for mine from fuelmotousa.com


Jon

 

I've got the big sucker and like it a lot. I had the HD stage 1 prior to this one. With the Ness, no more oil drip.

 

ogkillah,

I have the K&N RK3909 filter assembly. About the same as the SE but with a better filter element.

Here is a link to K&N

Also once you change the intake you will need to add some type of tuner to add fuel. The 2 most popular are the SERT from H-D and the PCIII.

 

The other bad thing about the K&N setup is you have to use the stock football cover since the filter is an oval.

My preference is for the Big Sucker, chrome backing plate, round filter(no football cover needed), and cheaper.

Steve

 

Thanks for all of the responses.

The K&N i'm talking about is actually the K&N RK-3909 package, as mentioned in some posts above. This actually does have the backing plate & supposedly is plumbed like the big sucker (e.g. all the engine gunk drains back into the motor).

I'm aware that i'll also need to do a computer upgrade, and i'm also deciding on the pipes, but for right now, I'm just doing the homework on the air cleaner.

As far as i know the k&n kit is the round one (i will probably use the stock cover anyway), just like the big sucker. in fact, doesn't the big sucker use a k&n filter?

Anyway, I was just wondering what the difference may be as far as performance or general issues like clean-up, etc. I understand SE setups can drip oil & gunk down on the exterior, which I'm definately opposed to.

great to have this forum - learning from people's mistakes/experience definately beats learning on my own dime!

thanks everyone!

 

What maineultra said.

What year is your bike?The reason alot of guys got the K&N kit is because Arlen Ness didn't have the Big Sucker for the 06 yet.I believe he does now.and yes,the Big Sucker comes with a K&N air filter,unlike the paper junk the comes with the SE.

 

Go for a Big Sucker.

 

The K & N RK-3909 or the Big Sucker will give your bike all the air it can handle.

They both have the K&N Filter so your only decision would be looks and cost.

You will need a tuner like PCIII.