Hi folks!

Writing to you from the ferry from La Paz, Baja California => Mazatlan via my handy Telcel USB stick.

I replaced my air filter in Reno about 1100-1200 miles ago with a stock Suzuki air filter. I know that the service manual says that I should replace it every 7500 miles; but we have been riding about 1/3 of our time in Mexico via dirt either on purpose; or because that's what the road looks like.

I'm wondering:
1) Other than holes in the air filter; is there a test that I can use to determine when I need a new air filter (sooner than 7500 miles)?
2) The way of cleaning that I've seen for the V-Strom is blowing air from the inside of the air filter via compressed air. James, my riding buddy seems to think this could be detrimental to the air filter. Your thoughts?
3) Is there a photo of what an air filter looks like when it needs to be replaced? I took a look at mine when I was trying to diagnose a loss of power when I was riding... and it looked slightly dirty; but no holes etc.

Thanks in advance!

PS: V-Strom is running great after a new clutch plates/discs. I'd hope so! I'm really hoping I can make it to South America with no further major complications.

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Hi I'm David, a 27 year old entrepreneurial Eagle Scout headed from Seattle => Tierra Del Fuego
Riding Rosie, a 2005 red DL-650 I bought for $3400 and 30K "warmup" miles
Leaving: August 25th 2011; Returning -----> ???
Follow my journey at http://www.davidparkinson.com

I'd say, before it looks like this.

Shit can that OEM filter and get a K&N or BMC and put some fine mesh screen over the air box intake horn so as to keep out large bugs and small birds.

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K7 Wee, rebuilt like new and then some after collision with deer and mildly farkled.

I agree. The hard stream of compressed air can open holes in the filter media. If carefully blown through from a reasonable distance, probably no damage will be done. If the filter looks dirty, just bang it on a hard surface to knock the loose dirt off.

You can look for some thin foam or fiber filter material in a local hardware store, lightly coat that with engine oil or any oil, and make a pre-filter for yourself that can be easily clean and re-used. Look for home air conditioner filter material and cut to fit. This pre-filter would be placed on top of the real air filter.

K&N or BMC cotton gauze filters and Pipercross foam filters need to be cleaned with detergent, allowed to dry, and re-coated with special tacky oil (not too much oil) to be ready for the next use. There are always perpetual disagreements on whether any of these filter better than stock (I don't think so) and whether they improve gas mileage or increase power (I don't think so).

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2007 DL650A Whee! (SV cam transplant)

Manage the unavoidable.
Avoid the unmanageable.

Hey, that's mine...you think I waited too long to service it?

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I left my dirty filter outdoors on a table, next day I saw bees foraging it for pollen

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RandyO
IBA# 9560
07 Strom 1k (7x,xxx miles)
99 SV650 (135,006 miles)
82 XV920R
A man with a gun is a citizen
A man without a gun is a subject
www.gbhsurvey.com
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/p...dStatesMap.jpg

That's a great idea. Does anyone have any ideas of the dimensions of the filter element (or at least what I'd want to cover with a pre-filter)? Would make shopping at the ferenteria (building supply store a bit easier).

Best,
David

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Hi I'm David, a 27 year old entrepreneurial Eagle Scout headed from Seattle => Tierra Del Fuego
Riding Rosie, a 2005 red DL-650 I bought for $3400 and 30K "warmup" miles
Leaving: August 25th 2011; Returning -----> ???
Follow my journey at http://www.davidparkinson.com

Also curious how often you folks inspect your air filter especially if you happen to be doing some off-roading.

__________________
Hi I'm David, a 27 year old entrepreneurial Eagle Scout headed from Seattle => Tierra Del Fuego
Riding Rosie, a 2005 red DL-650 I bought for $3400 and 30K "warmup" miles
Leaving: August 25th 2011; Returning -----> ???
Follow my journey at http://www.davidparkinson.com

Well .... I didn't want to mention any names.

I'm still curious about

1) Are there any indicators you can tell (without inspecting the element) that indicate you'd need to replace it?
2) If you're doing some off-roading riding, what's a good interval to check the air filter at?

Best,
David

__________________
Hi I'm David, a 27 year old entrepreneurial Eagle Scout headed from Seattle => Tierra Del Fuego
Riding Rosie, a 2005 red DL-650 I bought for $3400 and 30K "warmup" miles
Leaving: August 25th 2011; Returning -----> ???
Follow my journey at http://www.davidparkinson.com