Kuryakyn Hypercharger Air Cleaner Comprehensive Review
For hardcore motorcycle fans, a beast especially one of the calibers of Harley Davidson models ushers in an exclusive American cruiser look that is hard to compete with. The powerful engine and stylish design particularly the laced wheels and solid frame make the bike a dream to ride.
However, for those who want more performance from their bike, a Kuryakyn Hypercharger air cleaner is an ideal choice. The hypercharger aims at improving performance and fuel economy not to mention the style it brings to the bike with the addition of infinity streamliner.
Does your power horse of a bike need an addition like Kuryakyn Hypercharger?
Here is a detailed review of Kuryakyn hypercharger air cleaner to help you make an informed choice.
Ever since the introduction of hyperchargers in 1992 in the H-D Models, they have proven to be an excellent performance boosting option for motorcycles. Their cost-effectiveness provided an additional boost to their inclusion in bikes.
Kuryakyn with its penchant for introducing innovative additions decided to use it in its Metric Cruisers. This turned out to be a good move on the part of the company, as it saw an appreciable increase in engine performance.
The various benefits of using the hypercharger include:
· Increase in performance is due to allowing the engine to breathe
· The installation of the hypercharger does not affect the drivability or longevity of the vehicle provided the device is carefully installed and properly jetted.
· Hypercharger adds style and chick to the bike’s appearance
· The hypercharger is beautifully designed with a chrome finish and the butterflies and trap doors are manufactured in diverse color range so you can choose a color of your choice.
Package Contents
The Hypercharger kit from Kuryakyn includes the following:
· Hypercharger
· K&N filter element (fully washable)
· Carburetor jetting
· Mounting kit
· The hardware necessary for the installation is also included
Installation
While the kit includes necessary instructions for installation and can be done on your own, I would recommend the jetting and installation be done by a qualified mechanic or authorized dealer. This would ensure a better set up and performance.
A fuel injector controller is another thing I would suggest for improved drivability and performance in motorcycles with fuel injectors. Since the air cleaner is placed protruding when compared to standard components for better performance and smooth flow this would help a lot.
Although the hypercharge is sleek to look at, once you install it, the position of your right leg will have to be altered. You may have to use a footboard pair for proper positioning.
Compatibility Features
The Kuryakyn hypercharger is a standard model used in both HD and Metric Cruisers. The makers recommend using a qualified mechanic or Official Dealer for the installation of the air cleaner and jetting. However, the hypercharger is not recommended for use in CA emission models.
Design of Kuryakyn Hypercharger
The hypercharger is designed with the most advanced electronic servo technology. It includes a butterfly engagement that is RPM-based. The butterflies are vacuum powered and hot rod style keeping onlookers spellbound when you operate the throttle.
The housing is made of top-grade A380 aluminum. The design is modular allowing for further customization such as using accessory faceplates or making the design more ergonomic using inlets of ram air type that are forward-facing.
Made in the United States the hypercharger from Kuryakyn weighs 2 pounds and has dimensions of 11.3 x 10.5 x 7.7 inches.
Overall, the design and style are a big advantage to the hypercharger as it gives a modern and majestic look to the already posh-looking motorcycle.
Performance
For over two decades hyperchargers have set the standard for high performance in V twin engines. When you replace the air cleaner of your bike with the hypercharger, it can increase the rear wheel power by about 7 to 9 horsepower without any other modification to the bike.
If you are looking for more horsepower, adding a proper exhaust system instead of drag pipes and a recalibration kit for the carb will get you an increase in 12 to 14 horsepower.
The intake or air cleaner works excellently. When you increase the speed of the bike, the butterflies open automatically via vacuum pod due to the demand by the motor for more air. The K&N filter is very effective and serviceable ensuring good performance.
Budget Benefits
Priced at over $200 the hypercharger does not provide much of a budget benefit at the outset. But the fuel efficiency and performance-boosting benefits can actually end up in plenty of savings over the long term.
This is especially true if you use it frequently on highway trips where speed is a given. At low speeds, however, the hypercharger is virtually not going to do much difference to the performance.
- The design is stylish and adds beauty to the motorcycle.
- The performance boost is immediately noticeable.
- The re-jet components included are good and have multiple choices for devising different setups.
- Instructions provided for matching jets and the screw settings for the air or fuel mix initially are simple and easy to understand.
- Throttle response improves on installation.
- When the highway pegs are not used, you have to rest your legs on the charger housing.
- After installation, the hypercharger protrudes out much outside the original outer housing of the bike.
- Price is expensiv.
Kuryakyn Hypercharger Air Cleaner – Buyer’s Guide
I have compiled a few important questions that users ask prior to purchasing Kuryakyn Hypercharger Air Cleaner.
Contents:
What does a hypercharger addition do for my bike?
It improves the flow of air and also provides better throttle response
How does a hypercharger work?
Designed to boost engine performance of a motorcycle, hyperchargers are aftermarket parts you purchase and install in your bike. The device is an air filter covering that helps boost pressure on the engine’s intake side.
It is mounted on the side with the opening of the device facing the direction in which you travel. When you ride a bike, the dynamic pressure of air forced into the device increases pressure on the engine’s intake side. This provides increased power to the bike.
Does it improve performance at low speeds?
Since the speed of air intake is important for the hypercharger to work, low speeds do not have any impact on the hypercharger and hence there is no change in performance.
What modifications do I need to do to my bike for setting up the hypercharger?
The installation is very simple and needs just rejetting of the carburetor and no other modification.
Conclusion
Kurakyn Hypercharger air cleaner set up might be a good addition to your motorcycle, if you are looking for sleek looking and performance-boosting addon.
However, from my efforts at installing it and the obstacles I faced, I’d definitely recommend installing it with your local dealer or a professional mechanic, if you are not comfortable with doing it yourself or lack the necessary knowledge.
Installation is not for the faint-hearted. You need to know a good deal about what goes into which slot before you can actually get it right.
And upgrading the fuel management ignition part is essential for the cleaner to work its magic. Another thing I’m a bit skeptical about here is the power gain, as I feel that the horsepower gain can be accomplished just by proper setting of the A/F mix and rejetting instead of the air cleaner.
And since Kurakyn price is expensive, you can get a better deal when you just make a custom device using pod filters and rejet kit, which would cost just one-third of the price. But then you would be sacrificing the cool and trendy appearance of the Kurakyn hypercharger.
However, the custom set up actually is more economic in a larger capacity engines. And regarding the inconvenient position, the makers could consider a lower profile. With its present set up it makes the stack breather look a much better option.
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