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On my list I tried to show *ALL* the good quality filters for the motorcycle that would fit in stock trim and be readily available. Some people buy filters by brand, others by reviews or price, and then there are some who want the largest filter that they can get, I guess feeling "bigger is better" or that more filter area does a better job. Personally I feel I change the oil and filter often enough that the OEM 5GH-13440-20 filter fitted in the shorter 2.5" is more than adequate - so much so I bought a case of them (they come ten to case, BTW). That said, I might not be able to find one of those out on road during an extensive trip, and such having the list of others can be nice.
I did surmise before ever making the list that some aftermarket skid plates, etc. might interfere with longer filters, and that's why I tried to list the length of each of the filters.
My personal recommendation is that you stick to the stock filter length if you run *ANY* skid plate other than the plastic guard that comes on the bike out of the crate. You're always going to want the most space you can between the filter and a skid plate. The less chance you have of a bashed plate slamming into an oil filter housing the better. Though today's oil filters are mighty, might tough, it actually doesn't take much to deform them just enough to disrupt the outer o-ring seal between the filter and the engine case mating surface. When that happens you're in big trouble, especially if you are way out in the sticks.
Honestly, Yamaha's location of the oil filter hanging out in the breeze on the front of the engine of an "Adventure" bike is one of the things I truly dislike about the motorcycle. There were a number of engineering ways they could have easily done this differently to leave the filter less exposed and vulnerable. For instance, it could have easily been mounted 90-degrees horizontally to its current orientation. Other brands do it this way. It also could have sunk in up under the main case aft of the crankshaft, ala Ducati air-cooled L-twins. Certainly neither of those positions are as easily accessed, but they would be more protected.
Just my humble opinion... YMMV.
Of course, the rest of the bike is terrific, so I bought one anyway, goofy oil filter location or not!
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Dallara
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