Do Aftermarket Air Cleaners Actually Make Your Bike Faster?

Air. Fire needs it. Fire makes your engine go boom. More air = bigger boom. You follow? So yeah—throwing on a new air intake or air filter could help your bike breathe better. But is it really gonna give you big performance gains… or is it just another piece of shiny metal to make your ride look cooler?

The truth? It depends.

Performance First… Kinda

Let’s start with the basics. If you’re riding a ‘92 Sportster with a clogged-up OEM filter from the Clinton era, yeah—an upgraded intake might wake it up a little. But if your late-model Harley came stock with a high-flow heavy breather, you’re probably not leaving much power on the table. You're not choking it out, so slapping on a new cleaner likely won't feel like slamming nitrous.

In theory, more air should equal more power. But Harley doesn't publish airflow stats for their stock setups, and most aftermarket brands only share numbers when it benefits their marketing. Even then, those numbers are usually lab-tested in perfect conditions—not on the road with your 800-pound bagger and that last-minute pull on a backroad curve.

So unless your current intake is actually restricting airflow, don’t expect an ass-dyno difference. You’re probably not going to feel a damn thing. But that doesn’t mean it’s a waste.

Function? Maybe. Style? Hell Yes.

Let’s be real—sometimes the reason to swap your air cleaner isn’t performance. It’s presence.

I went with the round Feuling Parts air cleaner, black velocity stack with the clear glass window. Why? Because it looks mean as hell. It makes my bike stand out without going overboard. I didn’t feel any performance bump, but it didn’t hurt anything either. What it did do was make my ride more me—and that matters just as much as horsepower numbers you’ll never see unless you’re on a dyno.

Also, heads up: Feuling offers a normal and a giant version. I wanted the big bastard, but went with the regular size. Why? Because if you’ve ever had your leg mashed up against a massive cleaner on a long ride, you know the deal. It’s annoying. And I ride distance—so comfort matters.

Bonus: Feuling also has a kit to vent to the atmosphere, which some say is better for the bike. Legal? Depends on your state. Power gains? Debatable. But if it helps keep the internals cleaner and doesn't cost a fortune, why not?

Where It Ranks in Your Build

Let’s be clear: on a newer, late-model bike, an aftermarket air cleaner is not a top 5 performance mod. It’s a personalization piece. A statement. And that’s valid. Not everything has to be about squeezing an extra 1.2 HP at 6,000 RPM.

There’s a saying that no two Harleys ever look the same—because every rider makes their mark. The air cleaner is one of the easiest ways to do that without dropping thousands. So if it looks badass and makes your bike feel more like yours, go for it.

Just don’t expect miracles.

Verdict:

Performance: Maybe
Style: Absolutely
Worth it? If it makes you grin when you see it, hell yes.

Now go ride.

-Bagger Shawn

Founder Steel Rippers