I'm actually glad I read this, I was thinking about the pods too as they look cleaner.
There are significant advantages and disadvantages to using pod filters on most modern (rubber band era) Ducatis.
Advantages: They're smaller if you have a space problem, sometimes they flow more than stock filters (sometimes not), They're usually easier to get at for cleaning
Disadvantages: They're louder, they make the bike run like CRAP if they get wet (and if it rains they get wet), they have a smaller filter area so they blind more quickly
To me, the loudness issue is a matter of personal preference. I've put off installing a larger tank on my MH just because I like the quiet stock sound, but that's just me. However, as a practical matter, the wet issue can be a big deal. My SS misbehaves sometimes in heavy rain with a K&N filter and open airbox top, but nowhere near as badly as a friend's DB4 with pods. When the pods on the DB4 get wet it's time to pull over, because the bike refuses to run. That may not be a huge deal out here in Albuquerque, but back in Tennessee where summer afternoon storms are a season long occurrence it can be really annoying to be stranded on the roadside for a few hours unnecessarily.
Just as a refresher, what bike are you modifying?
