Introduction
Performance or freer flowing aftermarket air filters do have their own set of benefits. These are generally more expensive than stock, agreed. But then, these also last a whole lot longer. Add to it the performance benefit one gets because the engine has to work less to suck in more air. And more air means, more fuel being injected. And therefore, you get better throttle response, more usable torque, and in most cases, a nicer intake note.
Motowings Performance - the same guys who make the Trident exhaust for the Interceptor which we absolutely love - have a performance air filter for the motorcycle as well. Called the Hyper Flow Air Filter, it costs Rs 3,500. And one can buy it online from a number of sites. Just google it, and you will find it. Now, you have other options in the market as well, but we are not comparing one against the other in this review. This is more about the Motowings claims, and if we could feel the difference on the road.
The Claims
First, the construction. The Motowings air filter uses four layers of cotton gauge tied up in an aluminium wire mesh. It comes pre-oiled and Motowings claims, the filter can trap particles as small as five microns. Furthermore, the company says, the air filter has been tested extensively, and to prove its durability, it comes with a lifetime replacement warranty.
In terms of performance, Motowings lists three advantages. First, increased flow. The company claims a figure of 54.8 CFM compared to 42.6 CFM of the OE filter. CFM for the uninitiated is the rate of flow; cubic feet per minute. Then there's better throttle response. And lastly, a 0.5bhp increase at the wheel as tested on a dyno.
The Feel
After having installed the air filter, the change in intake note at mid and high revs was quite obvious. More so with the quieter stock exhaust. And it’s a nicer note too. There was also an improvement in throttle response.
As far as performance goes, the difference in roll-on times in third, fourth, and fifth gear wasn’t as telling. The Interceptor clocked faster times with the Motowings filter, yes. But, the difference wasnothing to write home about. Having said that, courtesy the crisper throttle response and the nicer intake note, it certainly makes you feel that you are accelerating quicker and travelling faster with the air filter.
Conclusion
The Motowings Hyper Flow at Rs 3,500 is one of the more affordable performance air filters one can buy for the Interceptor 650. But, being more affordable doesn’t mean it’s short on durability or performance. Be it the intake note, the feeling of improved performance, or lifetime replacement warranty, the Hyper Flow delivers it all.
Now, if we were to bring in the stock air filter pricing into the mix, the Motowings air filter does suddenly seem expensive. But then again, like most other performance air filters, it’s more like a one time investment, with having to re-oil the filter once in a while. Compare that to replacing a stock one every year or every 10,000km and spending around Rs 500 every time you do it - minus the other benefits - and the asking price of the Motowings doesn’t seem all that expensive any more.
Our conclusion: buy one.
For more product details get in touch with Velmurugan Agency at:
Email: sales@velmuruganagency.in. Phone: +91 9994999898
Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi
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