K&N Filters have been leading research and development for motorcycle Air Filter technology after the founders, Ken Johnson and Norm McDonald met at a dirt track race event in Sothern California back in 1969. Being from an offroad dirt bike racing background, Ken and Norm worked on and developed a ground-breaking new idea for an air filter that could perform under the demands of dusty, dirty off-road racing environments.

They experimented and tested a number of different air filter materials and discovered that an oiled cotton design allowed the filter to capture dirt and contaminents effectively while allowing clean air to flow through to the engine. They also learned that you could wash clean, re-oil and reuse the air filter element a number of times making it a servicable item for dirt bikes on the track.

Over 50 years later, K&N are still developing and manufacturing cutting edge technology with air filters and oil filters for the motorcycle world making them a famous household name while also venturing into other forms of motorsports.