Personally I wouldn�t use a washable mesh oil filter on any motorcycle that has a common oil supply for the gearbox, clutch and engine. Mesh filters only filter down to 30-35 microns, whereas most paper type filters work down to 20 microns and some claim to filter out particles down to 10 microns. The abrasive particles that come from the clutch friction plates are typically around 20-30 microns and would not be removed by a steel mesh filter. Scotts calculate their filtering capacity over a three-way pass, which is a bit of a cheat (even though they say it�s a good thing), as filtering efficiency improves after initial priming and operation � in other words the more clogged up it gets the better it filters! The SAE agreed standard test is a one-way pass.

Mesh filters are absolutely fine used in the right application. My 1967 BSA 650 twin uses a steel mesh filter without issue, the engine has never been rebuilt. However, it carries a whole gallon of oil and that only serves to lubricate the engine, the gearbox has its own oil, as does the primary drive and clutch and the oil pump is designed to deal greater flow on a mesh filter. Older Japanese bikes used mesh too, but also carried a whole lot more oil than they do now. For example, early WR450s used brass mesh filters, but when Yamaha wanted to shed weight (and reduced oil capacity to achieve it) they changed to paper and the reason they quoted at the time was because it has a better filtration capacity.

Scotts state that their filters have a higher flow rate, that in itself sounds a good idea, but the flow rate needs to match the design of the rest of the lubrication system. An increase in oil filter flow rate over the OE design rate can cause low oil pressure � not ideal.

At almost ten times the price of an paper filter, I can�t see how they are going to save money. They aren�t going to save bike down time either, as they have to be changed (cleaned) more often and the washing process takes additional time in itself. Standard paper filters aren�t exactly a bulky item either, so I can't see why stashing a spare or two would be a problem?

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