Oil filter question

[offcenter]

Just looking on Cyclemax's website.
They show two oil filters. There is the
Big Bike Parts filter for $5, and there is the Honda OEM
filter for $14.50!!!
Other than the Honda named stamped on it, and a price
that is THREE times higher, what makes
the OEM filter better than Big Bike Parts??
Anyone with specific experience?

[WingAdmin]

The Honda filter is (obviously) not made by Honda, but by a manufacturer that Honda selects.

I don't know who makes the Big Bike parts filter.

I've opened and compared many different filters, and the Honda filter is an extremely high quality filter, such that I use the OEM filters exclusively on my bike.

Normally the OEM filters you get from a car dealership are the cheapest filter they can get that will still meet the minimum requirements. I refuse to use those, and normally use Napa Gold filters exclusively in my cars.

But for my bike, it's Honda OEM, all the way.

[MikeB]

Just looking on Cyclemax's website.
They show two oil filters. There is the
Big Bike Parts filter for $5, and there is the Honda OEM
filter for $14.50!!!
Other than the Honda named stamped on it, and a price
that is THREE times higher, what makes
the OEM filter better than Big Bike Parts??
Anyone with specific experience?

I too do not know what Big Bike parts filters look like but here are some comparisson pictures between the Super Tech Oil filter sold by Walmart and the Honda OEM filter.

And one comparing Fram, super Tech and Honda:

I like the way the Honda filter is constructed.

[offcenter]

Well, the Honda filter sure looks like it has more filtration surface area.
Thanks guys.

[WingAdmin]

Fram used to make a quality product back in the 70s and 80s.

Nowadays, I wouldn't put a Fram filter in my lawn mower. They're just junk.

[wing rider 2012]

You normally get what you pay for, I only use Honda OEM filters on my bike.

[wingingit2]

Has anyone compared the Wix brand filter. Wix also makes the Napa Gold filters.

[Soupcat 1920]

I watched a YouTube video on oil filters (automotive) awhile back and after watching them cut open various brands, I have to agree , Fram filters were garbage with cardboard ends on the pleated filer media. I think that once the media was removed from the end caps that there was less of it compared to better quality brands. Also, the bypass valve assembly seemed subpar as well. Wix filters, however seemed to be well constructed with more filter media and metal end caps and a quality bypass valve assembly. I use Wix made Napa Gold oil filters on my 2 1975 Goldwings and 1975 CB400F. The same filter fits both. Back in the day , Honda only had two oil filters, one that fit all of the inline fours , the inline six CBX, and the Goldwings and the other fit two cylinder models that took a replaceable filter. These were the cartridge type filters that fit into a housing on the engine.

[AZgl1800]

Has anyone compared the Wix brand filter. Wix also makes the Napa Gold filters.

Wix manufacturers most of the filters anyway,
however, they do build them to price/performance of the vendor that orders them.

I buy Wix/NAPA for my bikes only.

usually it is the NAPA Gold extended length version. #1358 IIRC

this is from my notebook:
Oil Filter:
NAPA Gold 1358 this is the longer one. Diameter is the same, the flats are the same, can use the same filter wrench tool

[emwarrenfeltz]

Anyone have experience with HiFlo Filtro oil filters but me? I have been using them on all my Hondas for many years. They were first recommended by the mechanic and motorcycle inspection station I use here in PA. The same part number has worked for all the Hondas: HF204. Still using them on my 2013 and my new 2020 'Wing. From their website information they are the manufacturer.

[Wildwilly018]

That's all I use also. HiFlo Filtro oil filters. I like them. I think they are good filters.

[BadJack]

OEM oil filters are usually pretty good, but cost a few dollars more. I always bought OEM filters before, but now I have no problem using Fram filters from Walmart. The paper end caps used on Fram Extra Guard oil filters don't scare me and I think they live up to the advertised rating. You can't alwasys judge filter performance by looking at it's construction. For example, many Walmart Supertech brand oil filters use metal end caps on the paper filter element, but have a lower rating than Fram Extra Guard oil filters.

[wingingit2]

Thanks for the Wix filter info. I have been using Wix or OEM for many years. I have used Hiflo filters once in a while. Any info for them? Number of pleats compared to OEM?

[soulman76]

About a decade ago when I picked up my first bike, a Honda but not a Goldwing, I got really interested in oil and oil filters and did a lot of research. The best info I found was from here http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/FilterXRef.html which a lot of the riders of the ADVRider forum swore by.
Subsequent YouTube videos of oil filter autopsies have only further strengthened my opinions on the matter.

The TL:DR is Puroline filters and Rotella Synthetic (yes, diesel oil, better additive package for bikes)

I've had no problems with this combination so far.

[bri720a]

I have been very partial to the Mobil1 M1-110a. It is a longer filter 3.5" (more media) and they are also rated for longer life. I have used that filter on my VTX1800 for years and will be using it on my GL1500.

This is a great quick cross reference for filters https://tech.bareasschoppers.com/resour ... l-filters/ Yes its a VTX site but they use the same filters. Also as mentioned above the California Scientific site is great for info.

[echinus1988]

This is an eye opener!

I used to buy filters cheap because I figured filters are filters. Never again!

I have been purchasing the honda OEM filters for my Gl1800 and am I glad that I do. I sent this onto my son to look at. It does make a difference!

Always good information on this site.

Ride Safe!

[gasdude69]

I've been using the K&N version mostly because it has the nut welded on the end that makes it much easier to remove. It's comparable to the prices quoted for the Honda OEM filter. Other than that, I'm not sure what differences there may be between the two. Any opinions? Thanks!

[AZgl1800]

I am adverse to K&N anything.
never opened up one of their oil filters, but their air filters are junk.
I have bought 3 bikes with K&N, and trashed all 3 of them, I only use Honda OEM air filters.

[Nigel Bruce]

The Honda filter is (obviously) not made by Honda, but by a manufacturer that Honda selects.

I don't know who makes the Big Bike parts filter.

I've opened and compared many different filters, and the Honda filter is an extremely high quality filter, such that I use the OEM filters exclusively on my bike.

Normally the OEM filters you get from a car dealership are the cheapest filter they can get that will still meet the minimum requirements. I refuse to use those, and normally use Napa Gold filters exclusively in my cars.

But for my bike, it's Honda OEM, all the way.

[Having been associated with NAPA in the relatively recent past, I'm pretty sure you would find that the NAPA Gold is just a re-branded Wix or Fram, nothing special about it.]

[WingAdmin]

The Honda filter is (obviously) not made by Honda, but by a manufacturer that Honda selects.

I don't know who makes the Big Bike parts filter.

I've opened and compared many different filters, and the Honda filter is an extremely high quality filter, such that I use the OEM filters exclusively on my bike.

Normally the OEM filters you get from a car dealership are the cheapest filter they can get that will still meet the minimum requirements. I refuse to use those, and normally use Napa Gold filters exclusively in my cars.

But for my bike, it's Honda OEM, all the way.

[Having been associated with NAPA in the relatively recent past, I'm pretty sure you would find that the NAPA Gold is just a re-branded Wix or Fram, nothing special about it.]

Definitely Wix, it's bee known for some time that Napa uses Wix as their manufacturer.

[merlineddie]

I'm with soulman76, I ran across the California Scientific site maybe 20 years ago looking for a windshield and found a treasure of info on oil filters and oil.
They cut open a lot of filters and measured how much material was used, bypass pressure ( which is why you're told not to use a car filter) the bypass pressure was of no importance unless you let your oil turn to gunk that will not pass through the filter material. The thing that they related about Fram was they spend more on advertising than R&D to make their filter better, haven't bought a fram since. Their picks were Wix, Napa Gold (made by Wix) Puralator one, and the Supertech from Walmart, all did better than the Honda filter. I have used the same Pure One filter on my VTX, ST1300, 2012 GW, and now my 2019 GW along with Shell Rotella T6 with great results, and I don't ride as many miles as years ago but I still ride a lot.

[BadJack]

I think many of you are putting too much importance on what you see as better constructed oil filters. Do you know Honda has OEM oil filters with paper (fiber) end caps? You need to look at oil filter efficiency ratings to accurately evaluate oil filters. It would probably shock most of you to know how many times motor oil doesn't even pass through the filter element. This is from Frams website:

Honda, Subaru, Bentley, Roll Royce and Nissan all use fiber end caps in OE filters. BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, GM and many others use only fleece for an end cap, and Toyota weaves the ends of the filter media together and uses no end cap at all.
https://www.fram.com/technical-information/

Anyway, believe what you want.

[blupupher]

I think many of you are putting too much importance on what you see as better constructed oil filters. Do you know Honda has OEM oil filters with paper (fiber) end caps? You need to look at oil filter efficiency ratings to accurately evaluate oil filters. It would probably shock most of you to know how many times motor oil doesn't even pass through the filter element. This is from Frams website:

Honda, Subaru, Bentley, Roll Royce and Nissan all use fiber end caps in OE filters. BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, GM and many others use only fleece for an end cap, and Toyota weaves the ends of the filter media together and uses no end cap at all.
https://www.fram.com/technical-information/

Anyway, believe what you want.

I have learned to stay out of anti-Fram filter threads. People will believe what they want about them, regardless of whatever facts are there.
There is always that story about there about a friends cousins mechanic that knew a guy that had a friend that had an issue with a Fram, so that one experience makes all Fram bad.
People place a lot more importance on what oil filter they use than they need to, all the while using a crappy air filter that lets more dirt directly into the combustion chamber.

OEM Honda car filters were made by Fram for quite a while (not sure if they still are).

I have a Fram on my bike right now and am not worried one bit.

[gford]

I don't have any problem with Fram filters. If Fram filters were as bad as they are portrayed on the internet, the company would be out of business. Having said that each person has to be comfortable with what they use on their bike.

[tfdeputydawg]

JUST WHAT DO YOU THINK AN OIL FILTER FILTERS???????