3rd party oil filter for the R18?

[bdalameda]

If you should choose to use K&N oil filters - do not use the built in nut to tighten a new filter on. The nut is designed to remove the filter only. As I stated before - I will no longer use K&N oil filters due to having issues with different filters leaking oil from the welds holding the removal nut to the fiter body. I could have easily been hurt or killed due to oil on my back tire. If you look up oil leaks from K&N oil filters you will see many many cases of oil leaks.

K&N oil filters have a widely reported issue with leaks at the welded nut, especially on motorcycles, due to failure at the weld point from heat/vibration. Users on Reddit report these leaks can occur suddenly, causing oil to dump out, potentially onto the rear tire. This commonly affects filters with the "17mm nut" (e.g., KN-204).
Reddit +4
Key Causes and Issues:

• Welding Failure: The primary cause is the weld for the top nut weakening the canister, causing it to crack and leak.
• Recall History: A safety recall by the NHTSA was issued in 2017 for certain KN-204/204C filters manufactured between March and September 2016.
• Reoccurring Failures: Many users on Facebook note continued issues beyond the recalled batch, prompting some to switch to OEM brands.
• Installation Errors: While many issues are structural, improper installation—such as not lubricating the gasket or leaving the old gasket on—can also cause leaks.
  Facebook +5

What to Do:

• Check the Part Number/Date: Confirm if your filter falls under the affected batch from 2016.
• Inspect the Nut: Check for cracks around the weld where the 17mm nut meets the canister.
• Use Caution: Many users on VFRDiscussion.com recommend against using wrench-off filters, favoring OEM for better reliability.
• Hand-Tighten Only: Avoid over-tightening with the nut during installation to reduce stress on the weld.
  VFRDiscussion.com +2

Oil Filter Leaking........... - VFRDiscussion.com
May 13, 2020 — K&N Oil Filter Issues: Several users report that K&N oil filters, particularly those with a welded-on nut for removal, are prone t...

VFRDiscussion.com


SAFETY RECALL NOTICE - nhtsa
K&N has discovered that certain KN-204/204C oil filters manufactured between March 1 and September 30, 2016, can leak oil at the a...

NHTSA | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (.gov)


Possible issues with K&N oil filters
Jul 25, 2017 — faffi. ... Reports on forums all over the world reporting that K&N 204 and other filters are failing. One guy had his fail at the ...

California SuperBike School

Anybody have a problem with k&N oil filters loosening & leaking oil? Zx6r 2021 : r/Kawasaki
Nov 14, 2023 — The user says they've had this problem a few times: * "I really have no idea why this keeps happening" * "Seen more than a few lea...

Reddit

Why is my K&N oil filter leaking on my Honda Type R?
Feb 29, 2024 — OEM Filter Recommendation: Many users strongly recommend using OEM Honda oil filters, citing reliability and lack of issues over m...

 

[BAD MIKE USA]

If you should choose to use K&N oil filters - do not use the built in nut to tighten a new filter on. The nut is designed to remove the filter only. As I stated before - I will no longer use K&N oil filters due to having issues with different filters leaking oil from the welds holding the removal nut to the fiter body. I could have easily been hurt or killed due to oil on my back tire. If you look up oil leaks from K&N oil filters you will see many many cases of oil leaks.

K&N oil filters have a widely reported issue with leaks at the welded nut, especially on motorcycles, due to failure at the weld point from heat/vibration. Users on Reddit report these leaks can occur suddenly, causing oil to dump out, potentially onto the rear tire. This commonly affects filters with the "17mm nut" (e.g., KN-204).
View attachment 20611Reddit +4
Key Causes and Issues:

• Welding Failure: The primary cause is the weld for the top nut weakening the canister, causing it to crack and leak.
• Recall History: A safety recall by the NHTSA was issued in 2017 for certain KN-204/204C filters manufactured between March and September 2016.
• Reoccurring Failures: Many users on Facebook note continued issues beyond the recalled batch, prompting some to switch to OEM brands.
• Installation Errors: While many issues are structural, improper installation—such as not lubricating the gasket or leaving the old gasket on—can also cause leaks.
  View attachment 20612Facebook +5

What to Do:

• Check the Part Number/Date: Confirm if your filter falls under the affected batch from 2016.
• Inspect the Nut: Check for cracks around the weld where the 17mm nut meets the canister.
• Use Caution: Many users on VFRDiscussion.com recommend against using wrench-off filters, favoring OEM for better reliability.
• Hand-Tighten Only: Avoid over-tightening with the nut during installation to reduce stress on the weld.
  View attachment 20613VFRDiscussion.com +2

Oil Filter Leaking........... - VFRDiscussion.com
May 13, 2020 — K&N Oil Filter Issues: Several users report that K&N oil filters, particularly those with a welded-on nut for removal, are prone t...
View attachment 20614
VFRDiscussion.com

View attachment 20615
SAFETY RECALL NOTICE - nhtsa
K&N has discovered that certain KN-204/204C oil filters manufactured between March 1 and September 30, 2016, can leak oil at the a...
View attachment 20621
NHTSA | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (.gov)

View attachment 20619
Possible issues with K&N oil filters
Jul 25, 2017 — faffi. ... Reports on forums all over the world reporting that K&N 204 and other filters are failing. One guy had his fail at the ...
View attachment 20623
California SuperBike School

Anybody have a problem with k&N oil filters loosening & leaking oil? Zx6r 2021 : r/Kawasaki
Nov 14, 2023 — The user says they've had this problem a few times: * "I really have no idea why this keeps happening" * "Seen more than a few lea...
View attachment 20625
Reddit

Why is my K&N oil filter leaking on my Honda Type R?
Feb 29, 2024 — OEM Filter Recommendation: Many users strongly recommend using OEM Honda oil filters, citing reliability and lack of issues over m...
View attachment 20624

The correct K&N filter for the R18 is the KN-164, not KN-204. But It does have the 17MM nut. Don't you think they have taken care of the manufacturing defect by now?

 

[bdalameda]

The correct K&N filter for the R18 is the KN-164, not KN-204. But It does have the 17MM nut. Don't you think they have taken care of the manufacturing defect by now?

I have had several different models leak oil on cars and bikes. They have said in the past that the problems were solved and then had issues again. I simply won't trust that it won't happen again - it is, in my opinion, too dangerous to risk it on a motorcycle especially when other filters are available and filter wrenches are easy to use. I am vocal about it because I don't want to see anyone get hurt - I'm not against K&N. When you consider that they are welding the nut onto thin sheet metal - there is little margin for any error. I had two leak some time after installation so the leaks are not always readily apparent when the filters are first installed. The first leak I considered an anomaly and then three years later had more leak. Luckily two of the leaks were in car filters so there was no danger other than a mess and burning oil smell. It is interesting that the automotive filters are made in the US I believe and the Motorcycle filters are made in China, Mexico and Thailand. Both the automotive and motorcycle filters had leaking issues even being manufactured in several locations.

 

[Star-Lord]

I've always used the BMW branded fluids, gaskets and oil filters while the bike was under warranty... Plus I own the BMW filter tool.

I'll probably maintain this same trend going forward, even though the bike is out of warranty now..

 

[bdalameda]

MAHLE makes the OEM BMW oil filters