BMW is the original equipment manufacture, they still are going strong and will continue to support that model long after KTM is required to do so. Higher flow is beneficial for all engines, especially those engines which have been pushed beyond their original manufactured specifications like your own. The additional flow increases bearing separation and cooling to critical areas such as the main rod bearing which usually starves. Which brand of filter is your choice, it's your pocket book. K&P filters are extremely high quality, but PC racing filters are great as well (I sell both of them). Either filter "maths" when you consider engine life versus the hassle and expense of repair.
First of all I understand we pay our money and we make our choices. Some guys like to fit or make expensive mods to their bikes, that is their choice and they do not need any justification other than the fact that they wanted to do it, however making statements about potential damage and 'pushing' a particular product which claims to reduce such damage is not quite right.
Higher flow may well be beneficial - but do we need really need 7x the flow?
Either filter maths when you consider engine life versus the expense of repair?
Both these statements imply that we have to consider that our engines may suffer damage unless we fit one of the stainless filters and that the OEM filter or any of its paper equivalents are not adequate (flow wise) and not capable of doing the job and preventing that damage?
Moreover does either of the Stainless Filters actually achieve so much greater flow when actually installed in a TR650 engine and is it proven ?
K&P filters are extremely high quality, but PC racing filters are great....
This implies that the PC filter is inferior...in what way? As far as I see it, in the manufacturers claims, they both perform the same, only one is nearly 3x the price of the other.
When I pulled my OEM filter I found that it was a Hi Flo HF151 and I replaced it with exactly the same filter which cost me $4.50 inc postage.
Am I going to suffer engine damage because I didn't fit one with higher flow than the OEM fit - I think not.
My engine has covered 4459 km, and 3850 km since first oil change. The magnet on the drain plug was reasonably clean, with only a thin film of particle sludge. The filter was also fairly clean, which indicates to me that things are not too bad so far and the OEM filter was doing its job quite well.
I intend to replace my Oil and Filter every 4 - 5000 km and even if I only bought one K&P filter, the maths does not work for me.
So.... For the Stainless K&P Filter, I am fully aware that the maths does not work and I am pretty sure I really do not need the higher flow (which is unproven in situ) and the cleaning is a hassle, therefore I choose not to fit one.
Now that is my personal opinion, however, others may think differently and choose to fit the filter of their choice, for what ever reason.
Just don't try to tell me that I need to do the same because I need Higher Flow - that was your main reason, or that my engine life will be reduced if I do not fit a stainless filter, because that is a load of cr*p.
I have ridden, both on track and road, high performance bikes for nearly 50 years and the science for any 4 stroke engine is still the same -
Use a good quality oil and change it and the filter regularly.
Modern fully synthetic oils outperform the older multi-grades but filter technology has not really changed much over the years.