K&N Filter cleaning

[KiwiCol]

The blue bike has a K & N filter fitted by the P.O.  What's the go on cleaning these out?  I've only ever used the paper ones previously.

Wash them out with petrol?  What about degreaser? then wash in warm water n soap?  Do you have to use K & N filter oil on them? Seen some use WD40 on a washed filter instead of oil?? 

Is it best to buy the cleaning kit from K&N to do it?  How long / when should I look at cleaning this out?   Got a few spare paper filters, but these foam filters are expensive to just biff out, so should find out how to clean it properly.

Advice & tips gentlemen?   Thx

[gsxbarmy]

Use the proper cleaning kit Colin, as it contains both the cleaner, and the proper oil for re-oiling them.

K&N recommend this only needs doing every 50k miles or so, but take that as you find it. Personally I'd do it every 10k max.

Cleaning kit is not cheap and in all honesty I doubt you'll ever use all of it, which is why the standard filters (IMO) work out cheaper.

Other option is to put a standard filter in and sell the K&N on eBay. Which is exactly what I would do, unless you intend to do 10k miles a year or so.

[ARH]

Sensible advice from the Barmy meister.... I would do the same.   

[T 24]

When I had K&N in it's original place in airbox, it was OK to clean it once a year, after 10 000 to 15 000 km.
Now when the filter is down and in front of engine I have to clean it after every 3000 to 5000 km.

[KiwiCol]

Ok, thx guys, a K&N cleaning kit it is. May as well get one since the filter is already in the bike.

[grog]

only 2 experiences with kn. had on a ducati, parked overnight at mates place, dog ate both, oil and all. other was a pajero turbo diesel, bits off filter got sucked in, destroyed turbo. i like paper elements myself. blow out a few times then get a newie. not bothered at all with the cleaning process.

[froudy]

I use the K&N cleaning kit on mine. It works really well and one kit will last you for years.
Just make sure that the filter is completely dry before you re oil it