Introduction
Aftermarket high-flow air filters are one of the cheapest and safest ways to enhance the performance and feel of a motorcycle’s engine. Depending on the type of air filter, the level of improvement and gains may vary but a filter that is better than the stock unit certainly makes the riding experience sweeter. With the hope of getting a similar result, we kitted up our long-term test bike, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, with the Ngage’s Hyper Flow air filter. So, has it made a big difference?
The Claims
The main talking point of this filter is the incorporation of cotton gauze instead of paper or foam. The latter, if woven and placed correctly, is known to do a better job at filtering unwanted particles and allowing more air to flow in than the latter two materials. The improved flow is due to the porous nature of cotton. It contributes to improving combustion and thereby, in some cases, bumping up the horsepower. Ngage claims an increment of up to 1bhp for the Himalayan.
As for the air filtration, the Hyper Flow has multiple layers of cotton gauze tightly woven to prevent unwanted particles from entering the combustion chamber. What further helps is that the filter is pre-oiled with special lubricant which creates static charge and attracts dust particles as small as 5 microns. This is not only meant to improve the engine feel and breathability but also prolong the life of the engine by preventing wear and damage of the internal components due to contaminants.
Another well-known benefit of cotton gauze filters is better durability. During intense riding sessions, like thrashing the bike on trails, the cotton material can withstand higher temperatures and air pressure without getting damaged. Ngage also puts emphasis on the longer reusability of cotton gauze filters as compared to conventional ones. The former can be washed, re-oiled, and reinstalled, unlike the latter which needs to be replaced entirely at regular intervals. Now, let’s see how much of a difference it shows in the real world.
The Feel
The first change that is instantly evident after installing this filter is the slight improvement in throttle response. The bike progresses ahead more promptly on giving the throttle. However, the performance in the lower revs, especially until 4,000rpm is largely unchanged. Things get interesting though when you wring the throttle.
The acceleration feels brisker beyond 5,000rpm. The bike pulls ahead with more urgency from 60-70kmph of speeds in fifth gear when it sits close to 5,000rpm. Plus, when you’re doing 100kmph in sixth gear and need to overtake vehicles, it feels like an easier and quicker affair now. While the improvement in acceleration is subtle, it’s the engine feel that has gotten better. It feels smoother and less strangled, even when you’re revving the guts out of this 452cc mill. Overall, the difference is more prominent on the highway than in the city with a nicer and smoother sensation.
While we were expecting the engine sound to become throatier, the change isn’t very drastic. The induction sound has changed a bit and you hear a soft whistle on rolling off the throttle. However, you have to hear it intently to make out any difference and the overall aural experience is largely unchanged.
Conclusion
The Hyper Flow air filter is priced at Rs. 3,750 with the recharge oil demanding an additional sum of Rs. 800. Now, it might come as a surprise to you but the stock, paper-based air filter of the Himalayan 450 costs just Rs. 350. So, is it worth going for the Hyper Flow?
Well, it depends on the use case. If your riding involves city commuting for the most part and occasional touring, you might be better off with the stock filter. However, if you munch long miles and hit the trails often, this performance air filter will definitely come in handy. On longer rides, when you get the engine towards the higher side of the rev band a lot, the added punch will definitely make the experience sweeter. This applies to off-roading as well. Plus, thrashing the bike off-road exposes the filter to a lot of external elements thereby increasing the chances of it clogging too soon. This is where the reusability of the Hyper Flow will come in handy. Lest I forget, Ngage offers a 1 lakh kilometer replacement warranty on the Hyper Flow which is just an added bonus.
Product Details:
Make: Ngage Powerparts
Model: Hyper Flow
Type: Performance air filter
Bike: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
Price: Rs. 3,750 (Rs. 4,450 with recharge oil)
Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi
Gallery
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Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Right Side Air Filter Compartment
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