How to Clean Your Motorcycle Air Filter? The FCR Accessories Guide

How to Clean Your Motorcycle Air Filter? The Complete Guide by FCR Accessories

The air filter is a central component of a motorcycle's mechanics. Too often overlooked, it nevertheless plays a crucial role: it ensures a clean air supply to the engine, preserves its performance, and protects its integrity.

A dirty or neglected motorcycle air filter can cause power loss, increased fuel consumption, and even long-term damage. Conversely, a clean and well-maintained filter optimizes engine performance, combustion, and longevity.

In this guide, the FCR Accessories team, experts in neo-retro and performance customization, gives you all the best practices for properly cleaning your air filter , as well as a closer look at the K&N products and high-end maintenance solutions that we offer for Triumph, BMW models, and many more.

Why have a good motorcycle air filter?

A good air filter doesn't just "protect" your engine. It works on several levels:

• Optimizing the air/fuel mixture
• Maintaining high-rpm performance
• Reduction of residues in the intake
• More stable fuel consumption
• Improved engine responsiveness

K&N air filters , which we frequently use in our FCR Original workshop, are an absolute benchmark for us. Why?

“These are parts that are aesthetically pleasing , high-performance , and durable . They fit perfectly into our preparations. It’s very good equipment.”
The FCR Original Mechanical Team

The different types of motorcycle air filters

1. Paper filter (original)
   → Single use. Cheap but not very durable.

2. Foam filter
   → Washable, ideal for enduro or off-road. Good retention capacity.

3. Oiled cotton filter (K&N)
   → Washable and reusable. Provides optimized airflow and excellent filtration. The FCR Accessories choice.

When and why should you clean your air filter?

Recommended frequency:

• Every 3,000 to 5,000 km

• More often in dusty, hot or off-road conditions

A dirty motorcycle air filter = loss of torque, coughing engine, increased fuel consumption and polluted exhaust.

How to clean a K&N or foam air filter?

The FCR Accessories Step-by-Step Guide

1. Disassembly

   • Consult your maintenance manual

   • Carefully remove the filter without damaging the air box

2. Cleaning

   • Use a specific K&N filter cleaner , such as the K&N BMW R NineT Filter Service Kit

   • Spray, leave to act, then rinse with lukewarm water from the inside out.

3. Drying

   • Air dry naturally (no hair dryer, sun, compressor)

4. Oiling

   • Apply K&N filter oil to trap micro-particles. The filter should not drip, but should be uniformly colored.

5. Reassembly

   • Reposition it carefully. Check that the seals and fasteners are properly adjusted.

Our air filters available at FCR Accessories

For Triumph:

• Triumph Bobber Air Filter Kit
  → Removal of the air box, clean look, performance gain.

• K&N Thruxton RS Air Filter
  → High flow, reusable, ideal for the sporty Thruxton RS.

• Triumph T100, T120, Scrambler Filter
  → Optimized filtration and aesthetic gain.

For BMW:

• BMW R NineT Air Filter
  → Performance + racing look.

• BMW R NineT Airbox Removal Kit
  → Frees up visual space, improves direct admission.

• R NineT Filter Socks
  → Additional protection against dust and rain.

• BMW R18 Air Filter
  → Old school look, large filtration capacity, premium visual rendering.

Product Focus: K&N Air Filter Service Kit

Available here: K&N BMW R NineT Kit

Content :

• Special oiled cotton filter cleaner

• Red re-impregnation oil

• Clear instructions for use

Extends the life of your filter up to 100,000 km

Avoid buying disposable filters

Engine performance guarantee

5 Reasons to Trust FCR Accessories

1. Products designed for Triumph and BMW

2. Original compatibility, without heavy modification

3. Made in France or Europe

4. Tested on our FCR Original preparations

5. Neo-retro look, contemporary performance

Conclusion

Cleaning your air filter is a simple but essential step to maintaining the power and health of your engine. Whether you ride a Triumph Bobber, Thruxton, BMW R NineT or R18, FCR Accessories offers durable, high-performance and stylish solutions designed for true enthusiasts.

Investing in a K&N air filter and its maintenance guarantees your motorcycle:

• a healthier engine

• better combustion

• and real driving pleasure over the long term

Discover all our motorcycle air filters in our online store .