Some advice on the Air Filter Servicing including the Dragoon tube too please.

[JaysGone]

Ive had my 2010 for going on 4 years. 14K miles 24K total on the bike.
I know that I have to eventually take a look at the filter. OP was a Texan who put on 10K in a little less then 18 months.
Do I really have to worry about said filter??
All of my bikes down here in Florida, cars too. Have never had to have a filter replaced regardless of age or mileage.
They just don't seem to get very dirty around here.
As most here know I use my trike to commute daily.
Mileage if it matters has been a steady 30 mpg no matter how or where I ride.
Never more never less and the engine never missed a beat.
It just to me seems like a ridiculous amount of work to take out the filter. Just find out its clean.
Now the drool tube if there is one. Should be on the left side forward someplace?? I haven't found it yet might be another story.
It could be full and I wouldn't know it. Hidden behind something I might be less inclined to remove then to get at then the air filter too?? My 99 Valkyrie had to be drained a lot and often. But was visible and just needed to remove the cap to get at.
Just a few words of advice on both the dragoon drool tube and the filter would be encouraging.
Thanks.

[Gold Rush]

Ive had my 2010 for going on 4 years. 14K miles 24K total on the bike.
I know that I have to eventually take a look at the filter. OP was a Texan who put on 10K in a little less then 18 months.
Do I really have to worry about said filter??
All of my bikes down here in Florida, cars too. Have never had to have a filter replaced regardless of age or mileage.
They just don't seem to get very dirty around here.
As most here know I use my trike to commute daily.
Mileage if it matters has been a steady 30 mpg no matter how or where I ride.
Never more never less and the engine never missed a beat.
It just to me seems like a ridiculous amount of work to take out the filter. Just find out its clean.
Now the drool tube if there is one. Should be on the left side forward someplace?? I haven't found it yet might be another story.
It could be full and I wouldn't know it. Hidden behind something I might be less inclined to remove then to get at then the air filter too?? My 99 Valkyrie had to be drained a lot and often. But was visible and just needed to remove the cap to get at.
Just a few words of advice on both the dragoon drool tube and the filter would be encouraging.
Thanks.

Your assessment is pretty much my experience Jay. I rode my '01 48,000 miles before I replaced the OEM filter with a K & N, which was a waste of money. The original filter was filthy but obviously still working just fine because I was not suffering any loss of performance or gas mileage. The OEM Honda filter is an excellent filter. It has been many moons since I live in Panama City, FL so I don't remember the extended air filter life but I can sure see that happening.

The Drool Tube as you call it is behind the front lower cowl on the left side. It's big so you can't miss it. I've found it easier to get that cowl off and back on if I jack the front end up so the forks can easily be moved. You might also be able to get to the end of that tube by removing the left side sparkplug wire cover. There are five bolts to remove it. No worries about oil leakage. That is how the service manual shows to drain it. I have seen the tube up behind the cowl so that is why I mentioned that way also.

[JaysGone]

Ok the filter is no longer even a thought. Thanks for that Jerry.
The drool tube seems to also be as I though it would be.
More then I want to tackle anytime soon.
Sounds like Id have to take my floor board off too.
Not happening anytime soon.
102 in my garage today.

[J.T.M.]

Things like that are why I ride a Harley. I had 3 Gold Wings and will tell you they are smoother and quieter than a Harley but I got tired of spending 3 hours trying to do what takes 5 minutes on a Harley. There is no reason to make it so much trouble to service a simple machine. I can change the motor oil and filter and check the air filter on my Harley in about 30 minutes. I am not saying a Harley is better, just easier to service.

[Shimpy]

Ok the filter is no longer even a thought. Thanks for that Jerry.
The drool tube seems to also be as I though it would be.
More then I want to tackle anytime soon.
Sounds like Id have to take my floor board off too.
Not happening anytime soon.
102 in my garage today.

I've had 2 wings, an 03 that I put 103,000 miles on it and my now 2010 with 42,000 miles and have never gotten a drop out of that tube. I check it whenever I change the plugs about every other year.

[Gold Rush]

I've had 2 wings, an 03 that I put 103,000 miles on it and my now 2010 with 42,000 miles and have never gotten a drop out of that tube. I check it whenever I change the plugs about every other year.

Me too! My '06 had nearly 120K with never a drop in the tube.

[JaysGone]

Things like that are why I ride a Harley. I had 3 Gold Wings and will tell you they are smoother and quieter than a Harley but I got tired of spending 3 hours trying to do what takes 5 minutes on a Harley. There is no reason to make it so much trouble to service a simple machine. I can change the motor oil and filter and check the air filter on my Harley in about 30 minutes. I am not saying a Harley is better, just easier to service.

Try owning a Yamaha RoadStar. A lot like my Heritage was. A copy almost and a pleasure to work on still. My all time favorite bike. Ill be dead before I sell it.
My Valkyrie, just as I got used to it. Knew it backwards. I sold it.
I was a signature away from a Tri-Glide but decided against a solid axle.
The Wing is a PIA in almost every category except one.
Its by far the most reliable machine Ive ever had in 40 years.
But
That alone doesn't make up for the nightmare servicing every system there is on a bike can be..
My tinker time with the Wing has almost been zero in 4 years. It hasn't needed any attention. Im trying to find things to do with it and cant.
I still don't know a danged thing about 95% of it.

[lgjhn]

I agree with Gold Rush in using a stock replacement filter. I service Gold Wings and have replaced a bunch of air filters. Based on what I've seen, I normally recommend a change at 30-35K miles, but I've changed some at 40K+ that were still functioning but were absolutely filthy. My all-time record is one that had 113K+ on it. Needless to say, it was pretty bad.
With that said, I'd say hold off on the change for a few more miles.
Of all the bikes I've serviced, I don't believe I've ever gotten anything out of the drool tube either.

[JaysGone]

I agree with Gold Rush in using a stock replacement filter. I service Gold Wings and have replaced a bunch of air filters. Based on what I've seen, I normally recommend a change at 30-35K miles, but I've changed some at 40K+ that were still functioning but were absolutely filthy. My all-time record is one that had 113K+ on it. Needless to say, it was pretty bad.
With that said, I'd say hold off on the change for a few more miles.
Of all the bikes I've serviced, I don't believe I've ever gotten anything out of the drool tube either.

Sorry about the late reply been a bit occupied the last few days.
At the rate Im putting on miles.
The 35-40K mile mark is a good 4 years away at my present rate.
So im not that concerned about the filter. Let alone still having a trike that long.
My riding future Im afraid might not last another 4 years.
Diabetic and the legs aren't getting any better. I hope Im very wrong though.
Time will tell. The filter will more then likely be the next owners problem.

[Gold Rush]

Sorry to hear that Jay!! We don't have many pleasures left so taking away riding just is not anything I look forward to.

[JaysGone]

Sorry to hear that Jay!! We don't have many pleasures left so taking away riding just is not anything I look forward to.

Thanks Jerry.
Right now Im on double the pain meds I was a year ago and have reached the so called limits.
Ive been riding the 2 wheeler a few days a week for awhile now. It had been more or less in storage since getting the trike. I spent a few days and a lot of $$ getting it back on the road. New carb, tune up, battery the usual. I just added a real radio last week to work with my XM head. Got spoiled by the Wings sound system.
But with diabetes and neuropathy every day is different. Right now I bruise easily, but still heal slowly. At some point and that's the 64$ question I wont heal anymore.
Then its a toe, a foot, a who knows what. Maybe, maybe not if Im lucky.
This shitty disease has taken away most of the things I did for enjoyment.
The trike and bikes are about all I have left.
I don't have the strength to even work on the bikes in this heat here anymore. At least not for very long.

Now Im not complaining too much. Yah I am whos kidding who here. There are always folks much worse off then me. Im still functional to all who see me.
I just cant do the things physically I could say 2 years ago.
Such is getting older.
I look at a guy like Wheels. He has enjoyed his life. Or so it seems anyway. He looks to be able to handle his problems well.
You can overcome most things.
But you cant beat father time.
He catches up to us all.

Have a Happy and safe 4th.