Team-BHP - K&n Vs Ractive

I had been searching the entire forum for a comparison between k&n and ractive air filters.Found none..so decided to start a thread on it..Actualy i am planning to fit one for my palio..iam in a dilemmaa to choose what..

Heard that,

k&n ::>> most popular and reliable
10 miles guarantee.
Guarnteed improvement in performance
most commonly used
long lasting
costly(4500 for universal)

ractive::>>not so popular
very cost effective(2000 bucks(approx) for conical)
Same performance as k&n.

no one has made a comparison between the too.

few questions:-

1)is k&n worth that money?
2)is ractive less costly because of the cheap materials used to make it or is it because it is less popular?
3)is ractive as reliable as k&n?
4)regarding the performance gain which is good? ractive or k&n?

What is a K&N filter? It's simply a paper filter. You pay the extra for the brand name that goes along with it. Just as a pair of Nike or Addidas costs more.

I think a lot of people here use ractive and are very happy. I would say the availability and brand name is the only major difference between k&N and Ractive. There are some Bhpians who have used both the brands (like viper) . It would be helpful if they share their views on both the brands

I believe comparing the two would not be a good idea - that would potentially lead this thread to go all over the place on whether K&N is actually good or not - we have seen the same on countless other threads.

Perhaps we can discuss the merits of Ractive seperately.

Just my 2 cents.

Regards.

p.s. - I am a satisfied Ractive user.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAFI (Post 396322)

Heard that, k&n ::>> most popular and reliable
10 miles guarantee.

Its actually 10 years or one Million miles guarantee, whichever is earlier.;)

BTW i have an OE K&N which i am satisfied with. Of course the brand name does instill a sense of reliability and peace of mind. For brands which are less popular, people are generally skeptical.

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteem_lover (Post 396398)

Did your OEM air filter give you (purolator, i think) sleepless nights ?

Purolator is a well known brand and almost all cars are equipped with parts they manufacture.;)

Iam a happy customer of Ractive. Gives wonderful performance at minimal spending comparatively. Since I have not tried out k&n, could not comment on that. As mentioned by rishibravo, Bhp'ians who had tested with both the brands could let everyone know if there is any markable difference betweeen these two

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rtech (Post 396341)

What is a K&N filter? It's simply a paper filter. You pay the extra for the brand name that goes along with it. Just as a pair of Nike or Addidas costs more.

Really? How much would they cost? A K&N vis-a-vis an ractive (for Wagon R)

:OT I would know the difference between running 4 km/day in a pair of Reeboks and an Action and/or Chinese-made shoe - would end up having stress fractures with the latter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johy (Post 396429)

I would know the difference between running 4 km/day in a pair of Reeboks and an Action and/or Chinese-made shoe - would end up having stress fractures with the latter.

What if someone told you that the Reebok you are so gung ho about is made in the same factory in China that manufactures similar non-branded sneakers at 1/5th the price.

K&N is a supreme brand. I myself bought Ractive after pondering over both brands for quite some time. reason - VFM. Yet to use it and see. There will be difference between brands. But i don't think the difference will be huge. Or is it? Not sure. Praying that my ractive will not disappoint me.
can we put a poll and see how many use these brands and how satisfied they are? I think there are enough Ractive users on t-bhp atleast.

The international prices of K&N and Ractive and Pipercross ,etc... dont differ much for a similar model.

I would just have to repeat RTech's words here.
Not to forget, K&N is wet type(oil) and Ractive is dry type(no oil).Pipercross is foam-based.
I know of one bike tuner who travels to the South-east and purchases K&N filters at the international pricing(meant half the indian price) and sells it to customers at the Indian price.