You know every internal combustion engine like the same a motorcycle engine sucks a huge amount of air for the combustion process inside. And the supplied air needed to be clean of solid foreign particles like dust, dirt, sand, or other types of solid things. Hence an air filter is positioned before the engine carburetor or the fuel injection system attached to the engine intake manifold. 

Therefore, the air filter element simply traps air dust, dirt, or other particulate matter, thus prevents the same from entering the engine. So the engine intake manifold sucks the air through the air-filter element and gets the dust-free clean air and continues the smooth combustion process. Thus the air filter helps to supply clean air continuously. 

But when an air filter gets clogged or dirty, then airflow volume reduces dramatically and hampers proper combustion. Therefore, it directly affects engine performance and increases fuel consumption hence it impacts the fuel economy. So here is the importance of an engine air filter system. Accordingly, in modern motorcycle engines, the stock air filter system is carefully designed and ensures maximum possible filtration and volume of air supply through the filter element. 

Further, aftermarket high-performance air-filter elements are also manufactured by various manufacturers to help to boost the engine performance. Those can filter the smallest and smallest possible dust particles and are capable to ensure maximum volume of airflow. Meanwhile, those high-performance filter elements also need extra care and maintenance and those are expensive too.

Motorcycle Air Filter Types

Commonly, in the modern days, there are four types of air filter elements are available in the market for the motorcycle engine. The various types of paper air filters are very common in motorcycles. It's a disposable type, very economic, and very easy to maintain that’s why motorcycle manufacturers most commonly use this type of air filter as stock parts in their regular category of motorcycle engines.

Secondly, foam air filters are also a common type of air filter used by motorcycle manufacturers as stock parts in motorcycles. Usually, those are used in high-performance engines, especially in the higher torque motorcycle engines like adventure, dirt bikes, or quad bikes. Foam filters are a bit more expensive than paper filters and they need quite frequent maintenance. Hence foam filters are easily washable and can be used multiple times after proper washing and maintenance.

Thirdly, fiber air filters are a very common and popular type of air filter in the aftermarket high-performance air filter category. Many aftermarket accessory manufacturers like K&N, BMC, etc produce multi-layered fiber air filters. These types of filters are much more expensive and need regular maintenance but those filters maximum possible even the smallest dust particles and ensure maximum airflow. Further, these air filters give near-to-lifetime services for an engine that’s why fiber air filters are so popular as an aftermarket high-performance solution.

Lastly, metal mesh air filters are one of the popular aftermarket high performances air filters. Those are made with corrode-free metal mesh that features a specific measure of micro-vents those flow the clean air only and filter all the harmful micro particles of dust. This type of filter is expensive but durable, easily washable, and offers lifetime services for an engine. Hence these types of filters are very popular in sports vehicles that can perform in extremely dusty conditions.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an air filter in a motorcycle engine?

Ans: A motorcycle air filter is an essential and important part of the motorcycle engine which can be considered as an external engine part that protects the engine's sensitive internal parts like the combustion chamber from dust or dirt. Basically, it filters the airflow toward the engine hence it cleans the air supplied to the combustion chamber through it. Therefore, an air filter has a direct influence on motorcycle engine performance. 

2. What does an air filter do in a motorcycle engine?

Ans: The air filter element simply traps air dust, dirt, or other particulate matter, thus prevents the same from entering the engine. So the engine intake manifold sucks the air through the air-filter element and gets the dust-free clean air and continues the smooth combustion process. Thus the air filter helps to supply clean air continuously.

3. How many types of air filters are available for the modern motorcycle engine?

Ans: Commonly, in the modern days, there are four types of air filter elements are available in the market for the motorcycle engine. The various types of paper air filters and foam air filters are very popular as stock air filters to motorcycle manufacturers. And in the aftermarket high-performance air filter category, the multi-layered fiber air filter and metal mesh air filters are available currently in the market.

4. What is a performance air filter for a motorcycle?

Ans: Aftermarket high-performance air-filter elements are a bit different type of air filters those made of different types of materials than the regular or manufacturer stock air filters. Those air filters allow maximum possible airflow than the stock air filters and ensure maximum possible air filtration even in extremely dusty or dirty conditions. Accordingly, high-performance filter elements are expensive and those also need extra care and maintenance.

5. How many types of performance air filters are available for motorcycles?

Ans: In the aftermarket high-performance air filter category, the multi-layered fiber air filter and metal mesh air filters are available currently in the market for motorcycles. Further, for adventure and dirt bikes, foam air filters are also considered as high-performance air filters.