3 Best Air Intake for Harley Davidson (Review)

If you’re wondering why there’s a massive market demand for air intakes for Harley Davidson, then you’ve got to understand why people choose satisfaction over frustration and excitement over boredom.

In recent years, Harley Davidson has solidified its reputation as a brand synonymous with quality, reliability, and iconic motorcycle culture. Riders worldwide trust Harley Davidson motorcycles for their performance and distinctive style. A critical aspect of maintaining and enhancing that performance is ensuring the engine breathes clean, unrestricted air. This is where air intakes for Harley Davidson come into play, serving as essential components that filter impurities from the incoming air charge, protecting the engine’s pistons and cylinders from wear and damage. A Stage 1 air cleaner benefits engine performance by allowing for better airflow, making it a popular choice among riders looking to enhance their bike’s capabilities.

Harley Davidson offers a wide range of air intake products tailored to various models and rider preferences. Whether you’re looking for a high-performance upgrade or a reliable replacement, you can find air intakes that suit your budget and needs. These air filters not only improve airflow but also contribute to better throttle response, increased horsepower, and overall engine efficiency. Aftermarket Stage 1 air cleaners can potentially increase horsepower from the factory setup, providing a noticeable boost in performance for riders seeking more power.

In this post, we have carefully selected the three best air intakes for Harley Davidson. The products featured in our selection stand out for their durability, quality craftsmanship, ease of installation, attractive design, and competitive pricing. Whether you ride a touring bike, a Sportster, or a custom build, these air intakes will help you achieve a smoother, more powerful ride with the peace of mind that your engine is well protected.

Krator Black Spike Air Cleaner Intake Filter for Harley Davidson

This 100% washable product has stood the test of time in the industry. This air filter comes with billet aluminum that doesn’t corrode or rust. Whether forged into shape or formed using continuous extrusion, billet aluminum is considered the best by metallurgists. Hence, the billet aluminum-designed Krator Black spike air cleaner features a high-quality, fine, strong, and more uniform grain structure, ensuring durability and long-lasting performance even under demanding riding conditions.

The Krator Black Spike Air Cleaner Intake Filter, recommended for 2000–2006 Harley Davidson XL Models Sportster, also features an aggressively awesome look with continuous grain characteristics and incredible performance grain. This design not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your bike but also contributes to improved air flow, which can help optimize engine performance and throttle response to the throttle body.

What’s more, this product comes with a 360° slotted metal spike cover to protect the inside of the air cleaner from damage caused by foreign objects, maintain proper airflow, and eliminate electrical interference. The spike cover is carefully engineered to balance protection and air intake efficiency, allowing your engine to breathe freely while keeping contaminants out. It is important to remove the spike cover during installation to ensure a proper fit and function.

Krator Black Spike Air Cleaner intake filter for Harley Davidson is offered at a competitive price on Amazon, although professional installation is advised to guarantee optimal performance and avoid any installation issues. Overall, this air cleaner is an excellent choice for riders seeking a combination of durability, style, and enhanced engine breathing for their Harley Davidson Sportster models.

Pros

• Easy to install, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced riders
• Effectively filters out all impurities, protecting the engine from harmful debris
• Eliminates restrictions in airflow to improve engine breathing and performance
• Crafted from high-quality black billet aluminum for durability and a sleek look
• Washable and reusable filter element for easy maintenance and long-lasting use

2. Air Cleaner Intake Filter Kit CNC for 2004-2015 Harley Davidson Sportster

The backing and faceplate of the Billet aluminum feature massive internal breathing spaces that ensure an easy and clean installation. This design not only enhances airflow but also contributes to improved engine performance by reducing air intake restrictions. It is a great filter that works and fits perfectly with all engine models, whether carbureted or fuel injected, making it a versatile choice for many Harley Davidson riders.

The surface of the product is polished with a black anode finish that gives it an enduring and shiny look, adding a sleek aesthetic to your motorcycle. Users can easily wash, dry, and re-oil the filter, thus making it both reusable and budget-friendly. This maintenance-friendly feature allows riders to keep their air cleaner in optimal condition without frequent replacements, saving money in the long run. For a reasonable price, you can have it delivered to you via Amazon, making it accessible and convenient.

This easy-to-install product also eliminates the biggest restriction on a Harley Davidson Sportster engine, allowing for increased air flow to the throttle body, which enhances throttle response and overall engine efficiency. It is compatible with the Harley Sportster XL 883 and XL1200 models from 2004 to 2015, ensuring a perfect fit and optimal performance for these popular touring bikes. Whether you’re upgrading your stock air cleaner or replacing an older filter, this billet aluminum air cleaner kit provides a reliable and stylish solution to improve your bike’s breathing and power output.

Pros

• Eliminates the biggest restrictions on a Harley Sportster engine
• Large internal breathing passages for a super clean installation
• Billet Aluminum backing plate with internal breathing passages for a super clean installation. Billet Aluminum Chrome Black faceplate. Internal breathing system – clean installation
• No hoses, no oil catchers, no brackets.
• Filter is re-usable 
• Perfect for both carburetor and fuel-injected models.

3. K&N Motorcycle Air Filter: High Flow Performance Air Filter Fits 2008-2013 Harley Davidson

The K&N Motorcycle air filter is one of the best air intakes for Harley Davidson you can find on the market. This product is specifically built to improve horsepower and rate of acceleration while offering exceptional filtration. One great feature you can’t take away from this product is that it can be easily washed, dried and re-oiled, making maintenance simple and cost-effective. The machine can work for as long as 50,000 miles before cleaning is required, which means less frequent upkeep and more time on the road enjoying your ride.

Also, users don’t have to spend much on a purchase because the K&N air filter for Harley Davidson is reusable, providing long-term value compared to disposable filters. Meanwhile, it’s important to never use aftermarket electronic vehicle parts that are not up to the standards of the original equipment manufacturers, as this may render the machine inefficient or cause compatibility issues.

What’s more, the K&N motorcycle air filter for Harley Davidson features enough space for airflow, ensuring your engine receives a consistent supply of clean, high-volume air. This enhanced airflow helps optimize combustion efficiency, translates into increased throttle response, smoother power delivery, and overall improved engine performance. The high-quality filtration media also protects your engine from harmful contaminants, helping extend the life of your motor and maintain peak performance over time.

In summary, the K&N Motorcycle air filter strikes an excellent balance between performance, durability, and ease of maintenance, making it a top choice for riders seeking the best air cleaner for Harley 103 engines and other models. Whether you’re upgrading from a stock air cleaner cover or replacing an older filter, this product will help your Harley breathe better, run stronger, and sound more powerful on every ride.

Pros

• Designed to boost horsepower and acceleration rate, providing a noticeable performance improvement.
• Reusable and washable, allowing for easy maintenance and long-term use.
• High airflow capacity ensures the engine receives sufficient air for optimal combustion.
• Capable of functioning effectively for up to 50,000 miles before requiring cleaning, reducing maintenance frequency.
• Compatible only with the original equipment manufacturer’s vehicle electronics to ensure proper integration and avoid issues.

Air Cleaner Aesthetics and Ergonomics

Users are seeking advice on air cleaners that not only perform well but also fit aesthetically with their bike and provide comfort, particularly in terms of legroom and design.

Many riders prefer air cleaners that are aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to avoid leg interference. The Ventilator air cleaner is tight against the bike and provides good legroom. The Heavy Breather air cleaner has excellent knee ergonomics. The S&S mini teardrop air cleaner is compact and doesn’t interfere with the rider’s leg.

Air cleaners with sharp corners can be uncomfortable on the rider’s knee during long rides. The stock air cleaner on M8 models also provides good legroom for riders.

In addition to comfort and style, the choice of air cleaner can impact the overall riding experience. For example, touring models benefit from air cleaners that minimize knee fatigue. Popular air cleaner covers, like the Screamin’ Eagle Ventilator, offer a low-profile design with strong airflow. The Arlen Ness Big Sucker (also known as Ness Big Sucker) is another standout for performance and sleek covers.

Some designs may need accessories like a rain sock, often sold separately, for protection in wet conditions. Riders should consider these details when selecting a filter that suits both function and style.

Performance Air Filters for Harley-Davidson

Installing a new air filter may require your Harley to be tuned via ECM recalibration or a fuel moto device. This ensures the engine handles the increased airflow efficiently. Aftermarket filters often produce noticeable performance and power gains compared to stock parts.

The Screamin’ Eagle air cleaner is recommended for riders who want a performance boost without voiding their Harley Davidson warranty. As an official H-D (HD) product, it’s fully supported by your local dealer and integrates seamlessly with your bike.

Most high-performance air filters work within your stock air cleaner cover, allowing you to upgrade without altering your Harley’s appearance. Kits often include installation hardware, mounting plates, and some even bolt directly into the throttle body. A few require a rain sock for wet weather, sold separately.

Upgrading your air cleaner kit is a smart move that enhances airflow, power, and protection, making a huge difference in how your Harley rides and sounds.

So why not get yourself one of the best air intakes for Harley Davidson? It is the wisest choice to make, especially if you consider that the industry is awash with many counterfeit manufacturers, brands, and products, too difficult to identify. Choosing a high-quality air intake for your Harley Davidson not only ensures you get genuine parts but also guarantees optimal engine performance and longevity. A reliable air intake improves airflow to your engine, enhancing throttle response, increasing horsepower, and promoting fuel efficiency. Moreover, it protects your engine from harmful contaminants, which can cause wear and reduce the lifespan of your motorcycle. Investing in a trusted air intake product gives you peace of mind and offers excellent value for money by delivering consistent, high performance and durability over time. Whether you ride a touring model, a Sportster, or a custom bike, upgrading your air intake is a smart move to keep your Harley running smoothly and powerfully for years to come. Using a Stage 1 air cleaner generally does not void the Harley warranty if it is a Screamin’ Eagle product, making it a safe and effective upgrade.

Read More

• 10 Best Harley Davidson Speaker Upgrades in 2024
• Top 7 Best Air Cleaner For Sportster 1200
• Top 6 Best Air Cleaner For Harley Davidson 103
• Top 5 Best Air Cleaner For Harley Street Glide
• How to Make Harley Davidson Motorcycle Faster
• Harley Davidson Intake Leak Symptoms