PODS or Stock Airbox?

kzrider.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=18321 This thread may give you some idea where to start with rejetting.

I have read a lot on this subject,, anyway what I hear and read is that pods are ok for mechanical carbs but not so good for CV carbs ,,it is a vaccumn thing that the air box is better at to make the sides work better ,, I am sure I have opened the can of worms box now :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :whistle:

what about velocity stacks & those screens on them? Is there a performance gain with stacks? Are there screens that block dust, dirt AND water? I like the look of those convex screens but I can't see those blocking water...

Velocity stacks look cool but are racing only. If you're not planning on rebuilding the motor every week, don't mess with stacks. The only thing they will filter out is pebbles, large bugs and small birds.

I went with the pods and it takes me about five minutes to pull my carbs now.

I got the dual oval K&N pods, with two outlets. I think this helps with the turbulence issues... I know I haven't had any problems with them.

As for tuning your carbs, just go up a size on your main jet. Hell isn't tuning your bike half the fun?

I used to have surging/turbulance problems with my pods until I upped the main jets one size. I just had it set up too lean.

I'm running UNI pods for budget reasons (K&N are $$$$) but they're probably just as good, way better quality than the cheap emgos. Some people actually say foam filters better than gauze (k&N), all else equal eg well cleaned and oiled. The UNI pods are black foam with chrome caps so they look the part as well.

I rejetted when I got them - no change to exhaust system - main jet up two sizes and raised needle one notch to deal with flatspot. Now that I have rebuilt the topend and have a fresh set of hookers it looks like I'm running a lean once again, so I'll be getting some larger mains soon. No trouble with turbulence so far, but pods will inevatably be more sensitive to wind/turbulence.

Hey all... just a little update on pods. Following the bike's rebuild I am now running it with K&N's instead of UNI pod filters, so I can compare the two.
Just wanted to let you know that the bike seems to be a LOT less sensitive to crosswind / draft with the K&N filters than it was with the UNI's. With the UNI's the carbs would even respond to small changes like moving my legs in/out etc. With the K&N pods this has virtually no effect.
Hope this helps people that are in the market for some pods. I'd recommend the K&N's over UNI filters.

jtmcculloch wrote:

for street drivability the stock airbox is the only way to go.<br><br>Post edited by: jtmcculloch, at: 2006/03/06 18:39

I'll agree with this one. My 650 sat in a basement for several years before I got it running again. It had pods (UNI's I think), and I could never get it to come off idle smoothly until I put the stock airbox back on it. Also, pods generate a LOT more induction noise. If you like that, great. If not, think twice before switching.

With good supple carb boots I can get my carbs on and off just as fast and just as easy as with pods. No worries about crosswind or rain. Had pods but never will again. BUT if you must have pods go K&N. Pass on the cheapies and you will thank yourself.

Quick question: It seems to me that pods are cheaper to manufacture and stock than the big plastic air box, filter and rubbers. Also by some accounts are easier to assemble. If the performance was the same or better why wouldn't the Japanese make these as stock? Open to theories!

Loco, that would be a good question to pose to Kevin Cameron over at Cycle World. I am going to guess that there are some sound engineering reasons for manufacturers choosing the airbox over pods.

EDIT: I posted the question over on CW's forums. I don't know whether Kevin will respond or not.

Post edited by: N0NB, at: 2008/02/07 19:27

If you have engine mods such as big bore kit or cams I can understand having pods as the stock airbox might struggle to keep up. I had pods on 25 years ago. But with a relatively stock motor I noticed a loss of bottom end (yes, ran better top end) which is really where you do 90% of your driving. Plus I personally did not like the piff,piff,piff,piff sound at idle, so I went to a K&N ($11.00 in 1982!)in the stock box. Yes, it is a major pain to remove carbs with stock air box but once jetting is in they don't have to come off much. Just my .02...