When it comes to the most popular type of air filter for dirt bikes, foam air filters, specifically those made of polyester, not polyether come out tops.

The main purpose of an air filter is to purify the air flowing into your engine, which improves the performance of your bike and protects its engine against dust and dirt. Without an air filter, you could end up destroying your bike’s engine eventually.

Ensuring your bike has a high-quality air filter is probably the simplest and quickest way to keep your bike maintained and improve the engine’s performance. Be careful when you clean your bike’s air filter, which you should do regularly, not to damage the bike’s piston or block up the carburettor.

Benefits of a dirt bike air filter

• It removes dirt and dust particles from the air.
• It improves airflow to the engine, which can cause damage.
• It increases speed and horsepower by providing better quality air, supplying the bike’s engine with more oxygen, resulting in better combustion that leads to improved engine performance.
• It improves fuel economy through better quality air.

Poor air filter maintenance

If you don’t clean or replace your bike’s air filter frequently, it can result in diminished power output and low throttle response. In addition to this, you could battle with carburetion or fuel injection issues. If you don’t resolve these problems you could end up completely damaging the bike’s engine.

Types of dirt bike air filters

We’ve already mentioned the popularity of foam air filters but there are other options too.

Paper air filters

These filters are usually fitted to road-going commuter motorbikes and cars. They are usually installed because they are cheap and disposable, unlike foam air filters that can usually be cleaned after every few rides. Paper air filters are not suitable for dirt bikes.

Cotton air filters

Urban commuter motorcycles are often fitted with a sponge or cotton-based air filter. Cotton air filters are generally installed as an aftermarket air filter. A sponge air filter can be cleaned and reused a couple of times and a cotton gauze filter has a longer life cycle if correctly maintained.

Foam air filters

As mentioned, this is the most popular type of air filter for dirt bikes. Polyester foam is preferred because it offers better solvency, abrasion, and cut resistance

This type of filter traps more dust and dirt particles because of the thicker material density. For this reason, proper air filter maintenance is crucial. Foam air filters can be used repeatedly, which makes them a cost-effective solution.

Find the filter you need

Enduroshop has a great selection of filters to ensure you find exactly what you need. Chat to us if you need more advice.