TPO Beast vs. Open Air Box w/ K&N

[Bill in OKC]

...with the removal of the stepper motor setup, and a fast idle switch in place...

I am interested in this.  Would removing the stepper motor setup cause the computer (DP) to flag an error?  It seems like it might go nuts trying to adjust the idle without any success.  If there are not any issues removing it then mine is going 'in the pile' with the other stuff.

[Chchadder]

I've got the TPO kit on my 07 695 and had no problems with crosswinds or fueling. That being said...  My butt dyno would love to say that it gets the stated performance gains, though my head is more realistic.  It seems to run pretty much the same as it did with a mostly open airbox once the fueling was adjusted on both setups. 

So a few pros and cons.  The cons of the TPO or any pod filters should go first.

Cons - -

1. You lose the fuel recapture of the vent tank system returning unburnt fuel vapors back into the system through the airbox.  Whether this translates into any noticeable gas mileage loss is most likely negligible, but then again you are venting unburnt crap into the atmosphere instead of back into the engine.  I personally have had issues with the vapors seeming excessive at times when at running temps indicating the possibility of excessive blowback, though my techs have all assured me that I do not actually have that problem.    A few others have mentioned this problem as well, but most people don't seem to notice it.  I have imagined ways to reconnect the venting system to the pods, but just haven't actually done it yet.

2. You end up with a breather filter off the back of the crankcase that can drop oil onto the tire if the angle of the front wheel gets too high. 

3. The coil remounting kit that TPO provides sucks (i.e. worthless at least on my bike).

4. I have heard tales of the throttle bodies not being well supported with just the Pods rather than the entire airbox structure.  This makes them a bit more succeptible to becoming out of whack or damaged, though I've had mine on for about a year now with no problems. 

5.  If you tend to ride in heavy rain there could be an issue with water being pulled in through the filters if they get soaked.  Just how long you would actually have to ride in a hurricane for this to be a problem is not something that I have a desire to test.

6. The Pod filters are LOUD!!

Now for the pros.

1. The Pod filters are LOUD!! But not in the same way as an open airbox is.  With an open airbox all of the intake noise is directed upward toward you in an almost annoying way IMHO.  With the Pods the sound is a bit throatier and less in your face.  When you really open up the throttle it has a viciously nice snarl that complements my exhaust fantastically!   

2. You lose the entire airbox structure and have pretty pod filters underneath that look really cool through the frame and when you lift the tank.  That also makes room for other cool things like airhorns to make even more noise when needed.

3. The K&N breather filter off the crankcase looks cool when you cannibalize the original breather hose to run it out of the left side of the frame.   

For the money it costs I wouldn't recommend doing the TPO thing, though I'm already invested and happy.  The bling factor is nice, so If you're set on pods just figure out what intake diameter you have and spend about $200 less on the same K&N's without the "velocity stacks" and you'll end up with the same setup essentially. 

[DucSteve]

damn and I thought my bike was dirty

[Chchadder]

Oh you should see it now with the white wheels... What was I thinking?!?!

Thanks for noticing Steve.   

[jdubbs32584]

Oh you should see it now with the white wheels... What was I thinking?!?!

Thanks for noticing Steve.   

that rivals someguy/somebastid's bike!

[Kopfjager]

Thanks for serving  What branch are you?

Look at the Avatar.

[army_intel]

I am Army stuck in Baghdad at the moment.   Having read all I can.. .I really wanted to go with the boomtubes for the naked rear wheel look on the s2r1k, but due to tuning and airflow issues, it looks like I am going to have to shell out the cash for the termi DP kit.  I want something that is unique yet drivable, and that seems to be the only thing going at the moment for the 08s.

[He Man]

Look at the Avatar.

Ahh...i deserve a thump on the head for that one.

I am interested in this.  Would removing the stepper motor setup cause the computer (DP) to flag an error?  It seems like it might go nuts trying to adjust the idle without any success.  If there are not any issues removing it then mine is going 'in the pile' with the other stuff.

Dont know. I've heard of 2-3 people doing it, one of which was on an 06 S2R1k. (flufsdog). Nakid has no issues with a PCIII on his 06 S2R1K, another member monstermash had a PCIII on his 07, but opt to go a different route. I dont know why though. Then theres that whole RB3 issue (which is what i have) and almost like army_intel, if i cant get the fueling right, i cant do intake and exhaust. So im trying to figure this RB mess out. Cant afford DPECU, way to damn much.

Back on topic, I like the open airbox more, but its too freaking big. if someone could make a carbon fiber one!

[Bill in OKC]

This looks promising.  I would have given this a try if it had been around a couple of years ago.
http://www.fatduc.com/

[brad black]

Brad Black who is far more knowledgeable than I has said he doesn't think the open airbox adds much.

He believes cam timing and proper fueling are the answer.

i don't think i've ever said that.

IF (IF!) the fuelling is adequate, an open air bix lid will always improve power and response.  always.  and noise too, which some don't like.

cam timing changes are another thing that can be done, open lid or not.

[ducpainter]

i don't think i've ever said that.

IF (IF!) the fuelling is adequate, an open air bix lid will always improve power and response.  always.  and noise too, which some don't like.

cam timing changes are another thing that can be done, open lid or not.

I apologize...

[brad black]

that's ok.

the carby bikes can really suffer in cross winds, etc, when you remove the little black breather boxes on sides that the diaphragm vents go into.  i don't thinkthe pods would suffer in the same way on an injected bike, but i've never tried them.

[Norm]

I run pods on every bike I own and make (all carbs) and have never experienced a problem. Years ago I did jetting experiments with open air boxes vs different size and brands of pods & found I always  had to richen the mixture. My favorite is the UNI pods in as big a size I can stuff in the opening. 6" preferred, 4" acceptable - always with the top filtered.

[Mother]

Damn

and here I just went through the pain of talking myself out of the TPO kit

youz guyz are killin me

[EEL]

I've had an M800 with an open airbox and I currently have an S2R800 with pods. Same motor, almost same bike. I dont know where this crosswind stuff came up with but reality is that TPO works great and in my opinion, BETTER than the open airbox. Fact is the airbox is great on bikes that race around at high speeds around a track. This is NOT the same as a ducati monster.

99 percent of the time, you're going less than a 100 MPH. TPO is fine for this.

Also, a lot of people who comment on PODS install them directly onto the intakes. TPO comes with velocity stacks that are pretty much the same as the ones built into your stock airbox. The stabilize the airflow as it enters the intake much more evenly. If these were not provided with the TPO kit, I would not buy it.

Just my .02.

BTW, the clearance also makes maintence overall access way easier. This is a huge plus in my book.