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The K&N 69-1503TS air intake under the hood of an Acura ILX.

Early in its existence, Acura became a major best-selling marques in the United States. The company introduced its first flagship vehicle, the Legend, in the 1980s. The car was so successful it inspired fellow Japanese carmakers Toyota to start its luxury marque Lexus and Nissan to launch its luxury division Infiniti.

When Acura debuted the NSX mid-engine sports car in 1990, it offered one of the most reliable and practical alternatives to exotic European sports cars at the time.

Despite starting well, Acura experienced a sales decline in the mid-to-late 1990s. Critics blamed the drop on less inspiring designs. In addition, the parent company, Honda, suffered as the result of an economic decline in Japan during the 1990s and 2000s.

The company rebounded with the introduction of a number of new models between the years 2000 and 2003. This is when the Acura TL sedan, the RSX sedan, and the MDX crossover SUV were unveiled.

Between the years 2004 and 2006, the car manufacturer released four more new models - a brand new TL, the RL, TSX, and RDX. A new V6 engine that delivered 270-horsepower helped to galvanize interest in the TL, which experienced a dramatic sales increase in the United States to 70,943 units over the previous model in 2005. A V6 engine that produced 300-horsepower powered the newly introduced RL that also included an All-Wheel Drive system that was capable of sending almost all of the power to just one wheel in a turn. The RL landed on Car and Driver's 10 Best List in 2005 and CNET.com awarded it "Editor's Choice" that year. Automotive journalists raved about Acura's new models. For example, Car and Driver named the TSX to its 10 Best list from 2004-2006.

Between the years 2007 and 2015, Acura introduced six more models - the ILX, TLX, RLX, RDX, MDX, AND ZDX.

K&N offers the 69-1503TS air intake kit for the 2016 Acura ILX. Estimated to provide a boost of 6.37-horsepower at 6069 rpm, the system includes a free-flowing mandrel-bent aluminum tube, four stainless steel clamps, and K&N RC-5138 chrome topped round tapered air filter that features a multi-layered cotton gauze media treated with a special grade of filter oil. The oil saturates the cotton strands making them tacky and thus capable of capturing and holding contaminants. The air filter is also washable and reusable and performs for 100,000 miles of continuous use until cleaning is required, depending on driving conditions.

The K&N 69-1503TS air intake includes the K&N RC5138 air filter.

K&N is so sure of the quality of the air filter it backs it with a 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty®. The company promises that the filter will perform for up to 10 years or 1,000,000 miles without needing replacement.

The air intake is designed to dramatically reduce restrictions as it smooths and straightens airflow allowing the engine to gulp more air than the factory air intake provided. A heat shield is present to prevent hot engine air from entering the intake. The entire system is designed to fit into the original factory air box space.

The air intake system can be installed using the existing factory mounting points and common hand tools in about 90 minutes.

The K&N 69-1503TS air intake system is designed to fit the following vehicle applications:

2016 ACURA ILX 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models

Colton Haaker took the win in Idaho and increased his season lead to 14 points (photo Adam Booth)

The main event was chock-full of the spills and chills that are the earmarks of the sport of EnduroCross. Haaker garnered the Holeshot to start the race. Conversely, Webb’s first lap was treacherous as he went down hard and collected the tire marks of several riders as they rolled over him. He gathered himself and reentered the race well back of the pack.

Kyle Redmond made a splash in Boise with his first podium finish (photo Adam Booth)

Haaker (center) fought to a first place finish in round 7 (photo Adam Booth)

The final weekend of the EnduroCross season will be a two-day event staged at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA. The November 18-19 race will decide the 2016 EnduroCross Championship, and figures to be a raucous event.

Boise Pro EnduroCross Main Event Results

1. Colton Haaker, Husqvarna

2. Cody Webb, KTM

3. Kyle Redmond, Beta

4. Trystan Hart, Husqvarna

5. Cory Graffunder, KTM

6. Mike Brown, Husqvarna

7. Ty Tremaine, KTM

8. Ty Cullins, Beta

9. Geoff Aaron, GasGas

10. Noah Kepple, KTM

11. Nick Thompson, KTM

12. Cooper Abbott, Husqvarna

13. Taddy Blazusiak, KTM

The author's BMW R1200GS on the fairway of the Devil's Golf Course in Death Valley (photo T. Kessel)

So what’s the appeal? Well, simply put, it is right there in the market segment descriptor – adventure. If there is one thing that defines motorcycling as a sport and a passion it would have to be the ubiquitous spirit of adventure among riders, and ADV bikes offer up more exploration potential than anything else on two wheels. It’s all about expanding horizons.

The Yamaha Super Tenere is at home on high speed corners (photo Yamaha)

Touring

Adventure bikes are exceptionally competent long distance tourers. The upright seating position lends itself to a great view of the open road and provides the uncoiled ergonomics to enjoy the miles. While not offering the easy chair comfort and total wind protection of mega-sized touring bikes, ADV mounts fare very well on the super-slab. When you add in the availability of a multitude of cavernous luggage options, the appeal of adventure bikes for touring becomes obvious. They have been called the pack mules of the motorcycling world.

Canyon Carving

Adventure bikes are remarkably adept at sport-oriented corner carving when adorned with street-biased tires. It should be noted here that no other segment in motorcycling has a wider variety of available rubber choices than adventure bikes. From low-profile street-gripping treads, to 50-50 split dual-purpose tires, to full-on knobbies, you can really pick your poison for adventure bikes. Back to sport riding. The long suspensions, wide handlebars, and sensible ergonomics of ADV bikes make them deceptively competent in navigating serpentine ribbons of asphalt. Many a crotch rocket has been embarrassed by a fully dressed ADV bike in the canyons.

KTM's Adventure is a dirt-worthy behemoth (photo KTM)

Right off the top, let’s make it clear that ADV bikes, most of which weigh in at well north of 500 pounds are not single-track dirt bikes. There is too much girth, too many exposed components, and frankly too much invested for most riders to take these bikes in the really rough stuff. That being said, with the proper tires, most adventure bikes are very well suited for spirited dirt and gravel road riding. Especially in the case of the BMW and the KTM Adventure models, many folks would be surprised at the terrain the bikes can navigate in competent hands.

So there you have it. Adventure bikes are kind of the Swiss Army knives of the motorcycling world. They open up possibilities for global exploration that whet the appetites of riders worldwide. While it’s true that many, maybe even most, adventure bikes will rarely leave the pavement, the fact that forays into a dirtier and more unrefined world are possible holds a magnetic attraction for thousands of motorcyclists.

K&N's ADV filters feature multiple layers of XD cotton gauze for excellent filtration and airflow

While meeting the added engine protection requirement, K&N’s ADV filters still offer the legendary airflow boost that is designed to enhance performance. This marriage of performance and protection comes in a unit that fits perfectly in the stock air box and retains all factory warranties. Take a look at each application’s test data sheet on the product page for a complete airflow and filtration rundown.

Of special interest to ADV riders is the fact that K&N air filters are washable and reusable. One brutal adventure ride can render a paper element filter clogged and ready for the trash bin. The K&N filter simply needs to be washed and re-oiled and the adventure continues!

You will want to consult K&N’s easy to use online application tool to find the perfect filter for your adventure bike, but here is a great starting point:

BMW R1200GS LQ (2013-2016): K&N BM-1113

KTM Adventure (2013-2016): K&N KT-1113

Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom (2014-2016): K&N SU-1014

Kawasaki KLR650 (1987-2016): K&N KA-6589

Yamaha XTZ1200 Super Tenere (2010-2016): K&N YA-1210

Coming soon from K&N is a filter for Honda’s Africa Twin

The K&N 77-1571KP air intake system for 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup trucks.

Introduced in 1981, the Dodge Ram pickup truck was named after the ram hood ornament that graced the 1930s and 1940s Dodge vehicles. The truck was available in a two-door extended cab, four-door crew cab and dually body styles.

The 2013 Ram 1500 is a fourth generation pickup that experienced a mild refreshing that included a larger grille, restyled headlights and LED turn signals and taillights. The V6 engine that powered the 2012 model was replaced with a new 3.6-liter V6 that delivered 42 percent more horsepower and 20 percent higher fuel mileage. Also included were stop-start technology and a new standard 8-speed automatic transmission.

The frame was re-done to be stronger and lighter than the previous frame and a new air suspension was included that provides five different settings for ride height and total ride-height adjustment of 4-inches. This means that owners could raise the 1500 for better ground clearance or lower it for better fuel economy and easier entry and exit for passengers. In addition, the air suspension was improved to include automatic load-leveling to assist with towing and hauling.

As noted, the K&N 77-1571KP air intake system is specifically engineered to work in the 2013 Dodge Ram pickup. The system includes a replacement air filter that features a multilayered cotton gauze media that has been treated with a special grade of filter oil. This allows the filter to capture and hold various size contaminants. The filter is washable at recommended intervals of 100,000 miles, depending on driving conditions.

K&N offers an air filter cleaning kit that cleanses and recharges the filter so that it can be used again and again. In fact, if cleaned properly when needed, the filter will last as long as you own the vehicle.

The K&N 77-1571KP air intake system is designed to replace the entire factory air intake.

The air intake system also includes a free-flow mandrel-bent aluminum tube that is designed to dramatically reduce airflow restrictions. This allows the engine to take in more air than the stock air intake is able to supply. This translates to more power, a boost of horsepower and improved acceleration throughout the engine’s RPM range. The air intake also improves engine sound because it provides more aggressive and deeper acoustics during acceleration. The air tube has accommodations for the factory air temperature sensor and crankcase vent hose.

The intake also includes a heat shield that blocks hot air from the engine compartment from entering the intake. This results in cooler air getting into the engine, which helps boost performance. The intake includes adapters made from high strength materials such as silicon and reinforced nylon to ensure that it will last. The system can be installed in about 90 minutes using existing factory mounting points with common hand tools.

The K&N 77-1571KP high-flow performance air intake system is designed for the following vehicle applications:

2013 RAM 1500 4.7L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models
2013 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP 4.7L V8 Fuel Injection - All Models

Squeeze Box is a modern throw-back to the iconic Honda Trail 70

Pfaff’s creative juices for this build began to flow when he studied Honda’s cool and compact Grom 125. The diminutive play-bike has been praised by virtually everyone who has straddled its low seat. What Pfaff saw when he looked at the Grom was the kindred spirit it shared with its ancestors from the 1970s. “Since I saw my first Grom dual-sport, I knew it was the perfect donor for something really cool,” said Pfaff. “And since I was never allowed my own mini-bike as a kid I wanted to make up for it by building the ultimate Trail 70.”

The build's silouette is mix of generational elements decades apart

The top-mounted shock and K&N filter are signature elements of the project

While Murray Pfaff is clearly the creative force behind Squeeze Box, he is quick to credit the other craftsmen who worked on the build. Steve Germond assisted in the welding and fabrication and Tom Stark did much of the machining. That striking paint and graphic scheme is the handiwork of John Mijal.

The old (SL70) and the new (Grom) getting to know eachother

About Pfaff Designs:

Murray Pfaff is a national award winning custom car designer and builder. He designs projects for enthusiasts and top builders alike. Some of his notable builds are The Imperial Speedster, the Cadillac known as FireMaker, the MINI he named Alter-Ego, and the supercharged Ram pickup that carries the name Draggin’ Wagon.