FE/FC FE Air Filter- Am I being dumb with the grease?

I really like to hear people go against norm, i will consider greaseless, makes sense i see but a minimal layer wont hurt wallet really. Its racers opinion i gues

Depending on how often you ride...l use pet jell (vaseline) and works well and easy to clean. If not marine grease on the airboot rim.

You can run with no sealant between the filter and base but IMO, why not the insurance? Heck, it's worked for me in 20 years why stop now?

I've tried the grease off and on over the years. I always look over the filter closely when I clean them and never noticed the grease catching anything. Now I just use a little extra filter oil on the lip (probably does nothing to help). I watched a guy in the pits before a H/S run a bead of grease around the outside edge of the filter. Everyone has their own way I guess.

In theory you probably dont need grease but i use it just in case

But, last ride i did see dirt on edge of grease, was it grease that stopped it or tightening of filter cage. Not sure

I should say that I do now use grease on the bottom face of the filter but I still don't think it would bridge big gaps caused by flex, such as the case with the newer plastic subframes.

Spray a bit of WD40 in the airboot and examine on the next change...that stuff is great to trap dirt and visual lead on where there maybe a gap.

I wipe a bit of airfilter oil in it normally.

In regards to the grease, it's cheap insurance. If not needed it doesn't harm, it it does its there. A bit like checking the oil or tyre pressure before a ride. Mostly not needed but it doesn't hurt to do it in case...

Haha, yes its cheap really. Red tack can is about 6-8.00. Lasts a year or more. Its like the theory of cleaning your bike. Old school guys i hear used to put oil on engine and bike and let dirt stick too it and only clean when repair is needed. It coats engine. Some guys i know are anal and bike looks brand new every ride. Add hours up on both philosophies

Im only drawing attention to our ideas of whats good and what really unneeded, not that adding grease to a filter is gard work per se.

Haha I am one of those guys! I've literally washed my bike the morning before a ride. But in regards to the grease on the filter I'd rather see a guy over maintain and go the extra mile to make his bike lasts than the guy who just puts gas in it.

When I get old I may try the grease sealing trick on my Depends.

Agreed

AGREED!
Case in point; brother just bought xcw250 and is now punching out and damaging dust caps on rear hubs and findinf no grease in several locations, prev owner said he was "meticulous", that word gives me caution now.

If you've studied lubrication, you'd know that it's a real problem, and although suspension, and steering head bearings are cycled at such extremely low rates (and likely won't suffer too much as a result), I would suggest that the huge majority are way over lubricated. Bearings need far less grease than most think. You know people that pull new bikes apart and report that there was hardly any grease in there? It's probably more than enough.

You have any videos? I bet i over grease

I've been over greasing for years now and it's never come close to failing me. On the other hand I've seen a few close pals completely ruin a lot of crap due to lack of maintanence. Hell I knew a guy that had a pretty bad rear wheel bearing failure at about 70mph. I keep my my bike as greased and as clean and as well kept as possible. Plus tearing things down and inspecting/regreasing frequently can avoid further and more expensive failures. Many guys count on these machines to not only get them through a ride but put points on the board as well (after driving hours away to do it). Just my opinion though. No disrespect meant to your study at all of course Zomby woof

I theory I agree, the issue is on a dirt bike the over greasing helps to keep the dirt out the bearing. Grease and dirt make a great grinding paste!
I prefer to pack it well so crap stays out.

I like grease! love its colors, consistencies and its smell. If i ever hang my helmet up i will still go to my shop and spend quality time smelling grease

Yep, if it's full of grease there is no room for water and dirt.