Air filters...

First topic message reminder :

This has probably been done to death, but:

the bandit air filter... (on a 1200, I presume it's the same for a 1250?)

Jesus Christ, what a pain in the arse having to take off the petrol tank... makes one less willing to check it often....

Anyway... the one on mine is on the way out, was pretty dirty, gave it a good clean with compressed air and a white tshirt   but it'll need replacing next time I clean it.

Any comments / experience on aftermarket options?

.... and why would I want to take carbies out often.....

To tune your carbies.

With CV carbies you tune from the top down; i.e. full throttle first then mid range then pilot. So you jet the bike to rough specs set in the tuning guide, then (even if it runs like a dog) go for 2or3 30km rides each time to see which main jet pulls hardest at WOT (wide open throttle). You will then need to tune your mid range, again with 2to4 30 to 50km rides. Off idle can then be fine tuned over time without needing to take out the carbies, by adjusting the mixture screws with a fine short screwdriver.

That's why its so expensive to get it jetted with a dyno - very labour intensive.