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GL 1200 Air Filter

1423 Views 8 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  Uncle A, 
Uncle A
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I’ve heard of someone modifying the air intake cover on the stock Honda GL 1200 breather to see if the engine will breathe better. I imagine doing so would introduce a throaty sound on harder acceleration, but what would be the advantages or disadvantages to doing this? The air will still filter only through the filter, nothing else would change. Would any adjustments to carbs be required?


Circles in picture represent cutouts to show what I mean.

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sandiegobrass
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While you might gain something at near wide open throttle, the resistance of the box inlet is only significant under very open throttle conditions, so you would not notice much difference druing normal partial throttle operating conditions... and as you mention, it will be noisier... and there could be issues during rain also.. the air inlet of motorcycles is usually designed to be protected from water in wet weather..
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pidjones
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The best modification to a Goldwing air induction system IMHO is to add a heavy metal mesh rodent barrier!
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oharaLTD
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Being men and women motorcycle owners, there is always a need for more power. But I believe that the designers of motorcycles and cages alike have designed them to work at optimum efficiency. In other words, the best performance and the best economy. Where as we can always increase power, economy will adversly be affected and likewise if we greatly improve economy, power will adversely affected. Its your baby and if you want to tweak out some more HP and torque, go for it. One can always use more power...........................if I knew how to spell it you would being reading the Tim Taylor more power grunt................................[flash=425,344]http://www.youtube.com/v/LBLtid2qEts&hl=en&fs=1[/flash]
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R
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I think you might only gain a bit and that would be at altitude when there isn't much air to start with.... although thinner air has less resistance
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peterbilt
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i know it sounds stupid but i just installed a "ram air" scoop on my dads harly low rider is there a kit or anyway to put something similar on a gl 1100 some way??? to force more air into the intake to give you more power at highway or road speeds to increase proformance????
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jwhitmore44
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This is done a lot on single and V-twin motorcycles to get a little more "power" out of the motors. I would agree that a lot of time adding more air may cause you to loose some of the fuel millage.

But it takes more than just the single modification, you also need to improve the fuel flow and the exhaust flow. If you open the air box, install bigger jets or change the needles, and put free flowing exhausts you may squeeze out another 1/2 hp (just a guess). This may or may not cause you a loss of fuel millage (sometimes making the flow better will increase millage) and make the bike louder.

These mods are pretty affective on 4 stroke singles and probably work decently on V-twins, although I think most V-twin owners that do these mods want the extra noise.

As said before, manufactures are looking for that happy middle ground of performance, economy, and sound. Some bikes (like a Wing) they will want to be quite. They have to follow rules on economy and emissions control.

There's been several bikes being parted out here. I think i would see if one of them had the cover that you could pick up fairly cheap and modify. that way if you don;t like it you can always go back. I have my doubts you will have problems with water getting in unless you plan on doing some deep river crossings :) If you leave you bike sit over winter you may want to cover the holes so critters don't find their way in and try to set up housekeeping :)
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William_86
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my 1200 has plenty of power, enough to beat harley asses so. i might stick with the stock.
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Uncle A
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Thanks for the feedback!

Like I mentioned in my 1st post, I had heard of this but haven't seen it done or heard of good or bad results.

And while we're thinking about air flow, what are your feelings on the K&N air filters? Have you found they improve performance and/or mileage?
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