International Dealer News IDN 147 February/March 2019 | Page 32

ROAD TRIP
national motorcycle federation hosted an
international “scramble” for teams from Great
Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands, and called it a
“moto-cross.” While the sport’s popularity grew
steadily over the next 25 years, one thing that
remained constant was the stock paper air filter
designs of the time. There was a paper filter with a
single layer of foam, but even that didn’t cut it for
protection - after 30 minutes it was shot. In those
early days of motocross, engine failures were
common.
It was in 1972 that Twin Air gave the motocross world
a historic boost with their revolutionary approach to
air filter design - a laminated, dual-foam air filter that,
when soaked in a special oil, allowed free airflow into
the carburettor while keeping dirt, grime, sand and
water out of it. It was effective, durable, washable and
reusable. It took off, and the little start-up company
that invented it hasn’t stopped ever since.
Today they are available for all motocross and ATV
vehicles and distributed worldwide. Twin Air filters are
OEM-specified for 20+ motorcycle companies, and
the official air filter of worldwide factory
teams such as Honda HRC,
Kawasaki Racing Team, Yamaha
Racing, Red Bull KTM, Rockstar
Husqvarna and many more
Twin Air’s breakthrough was to
recognise the two quite
different and often competing
characteristics needed from a
motocross air filter - high air
flow and maximum particulate
restriction. Their answer was to
double-up on the filtration
process with a fused dual-layer
design that is now the go-to standard
air filter architecture, and while the principle is often
copied, “nobody can get close to our level of quality
and performance,” says Pieter Does, General
Manager.
“The fused layers of open-pore foam and fine inner
foam layer trap even the smallest particles. The
rounder design boosts airflow, and with a
revolutionary micro-gluing process to minimise the
32
Brand Manager Bart Ghielen
seams - shorter seams mean more flow - we have a
combination that makes it possible to maximise the
protection for the engine and horsepower boosting
performance of improved air flow volume and speed
- where air flow is concerned speed means more
speed - and that comes from minimum possible
disruption and restriction of the air flow.
In fact, we manufacture some
models with a backfire-
resistant foam layer laminated to the
filter so we can even eliminate the restrictive
stock backfire screen from the air box.
“As engine technology has advanced, so too filter
technology has had to not just keep up, but be ahead
of OE engineers’ requirements in order to help them
access the full potential of the machines they are
designing. One of our big achievements has been to
INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019
specify a quality of foam, that means that the cells are
evenly sized and distributed throughout the structure
of the air cleaner, making for a smooth, predictable
and consistent air flow, and that is a huge advantage
to the engineers and to professional as well as
amateur racers.
“This also means that our motorcycle and ATV filters
are truly fully washable and durable - the structure is
stable and uniform - and being able to reuse a Twin
Air motorcycle or ATV filter at least 50 times is
common. We also use a high-quality greaseless
sealing ring, with every filter assembled by hand and
"In 1972 Twin Air gave
the motocross world a
historic boost"
inspected for a perfect fit.
“For many years Twin Air factory pre-oiled filters were
only available to our top professional race teams and
OEM customers. The results were so good that we
now offer the same factory treatment
to everyone.
“We start with an original dual-
stage air filter and completely
submerge it in BIO liquid power
filter oil. After the filter is massaged
to ensure all pores are evenly
coated with oil, it’s placed in a
temperature-controlled room to
allow the oil to completely cure. You
just open the resealable bag and install.
“Another Twin Air innovation is our range
of PowerFlow kits. The best filter in the world
can’t do its job if there are leaks in the seal of the
airbox. Twin Air’s kits ensure a leak-proof, fool-proof
fit with a rigid, lightweight billet aluminium cage that
replaces the flimsy plastic stock cage, and a billet
aluminium flange with a rubber seal that bolts tight
to the airbox. PowerFlow kits for ATVs are custom-
designed for each unique application for superior