My unpopular opinion on DNA filter and Fuel X | Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

Hello guys! In this video, I installed DNA filter and Fuel X to improve the performance of my bike. But did it do anything? Let me share my honest opinion. It will be an unpopular one, sorry!

[twowheeledparadox]

I have a FuelX Lite on my BS4 (Euro4) 390 Duke with no other mods and it made a noticeable improvement in the low and mid range torque as well as smoothness. Absolutely worth the money. I also have a BS6 (Euro5) Interceptor and others have reported good results so I intend to buy one for this eventually. What you should understand is that it only works with the lambda signal (the sensors to which you connected the device) and this signal is ignored by the ECU when you open the throttle wide. During normal riding, you should feel a smoother throttle response and better low end torque. In my 390 Duke which is infamous for poor low end torque, I can now hold lower speeds in each gear. For reference, without the FuelX it could not go lower than 95 kmph in 6th gear without juddering. With the FuelX, I can go as low as 80 kmph! The improvements are noticeable from 2000 to 6000 rpm but nil from 6000 to 10000 rpm. If you want better 0-100 times, you need a Powertronic.

[core]

Interesting results 🤔 I have run open exhaust for 2 years, KN filter for 1 without noticing too much change in performance. Recently I have finally invested in FuelX lite and the difference was immediate. Bike is more eager to accelerate and does so in more linear way. I do not have to downshift as often as the bike pulls smoother in low RPM. Motorcycle feels overall more alive at bottom end.

[mlisunep]

YOO!! We rock and ride the same bike! same color!!!! cheers from California!

[stanzgarage]

Great video Max!

I respect and love how you spent your money to conclude that a simple exhaust and air filter change (in your case even a fuel management system) doesn't ACTUALLY increase performance.
If anything, it kinda takes away a little performance as it is now the ENGINE that physically limits performance!

Whenever one considers increasing actual engine performance, one must consider CAMSHAFTS and TIMING. Only when the engine is physically capable of producing more power, must one move on to opening up the INTAKE and EXHAUST to gain noticeable and provable performance.

[oldgeezerproductions]

I put less restrictive exhaust on my INT 650 and I THINK it improved the low-end torque a bit. The exhaust sure sounds better and now I can listen for the tone instead of looking at the tach to know when to shift. It see if a "performance" air filter would be worth it, I removed my clean air filter and ran the bike without a filter. Except for increased air intake noise, I noticed no difference in performance. In all cases, I let the engine run for about 10 minutes at idle before testing. I will keep the new mufflers and forget about adding any more "performance" accessories, particularly the grossly overpriced air filter system.

[PistonRolling]

Well Brother this Update worked for me. I have installed POWERTRONIC, AEW-T 102 Slipon, FUEL-X PRO - 10 Level and last MAP with Level 1 & 2 to select when riding in city and highway

[bradcobb]

Re:Brakes, i tested the 2023 interceptor a d find that the brakes were spot on given the performance. My twin 320mm fully floating Brembos work great with HH sintered ferrodo pads, so those EBC should be fine.

[philippash]

Hi, good honest review. I bought my intercepter with the DNA kit fitted and it also had a booster plug, I felt it felt flat at higher speeds than it should do, so I took the booster plug of and fitted a normal filter and cover so now its back to stock and the pick up is far stronger just quieter. DNA kit lets too much air in and the computer can never adjust to that amount of air so it will run very lean.

[stanleylawson]

Great information and look forward to your next one

[phil]

I tried mine with new tec cans only and felt things got worse so I put the original mufflers back on. I have an air filter on its way so we will see. It would be interesting to see what it is like with standard exhaust, dna air cleaner and fuelx. All the dyno tests suggest a significant improvement but real world is another matter.

[MoreiraGui]

Did you kept the Fuel X? From what I found out, the Fuel X makes the engine run cooler when upgrading the exhaust and the air filter. It might not be about performance. Those upgrades add up air to the mixture, turning the air fuel ratio bad, as there is now too much air flow, which leads to the engine overheating. I can see that in your latest videos your exhaust head is starting to acquire a bronze color and may even become bluing in the future. This is due to engine overheating, as the gas is too hot and literally burns the metal. But that's the theory, I'm curious to whether your head pipes became like this even with the Fuel X installed. Cheers!

[elwood]

I put the open air filter cover on, I think the only advantage to the DNA filter is that it’s cleanable and reusable. Fuelx is probably a gimmick. The most noticeable immediate improvement for me came from fitting a 16t front sprocket. It rides like a different machine.

[YouMotorcycle]

Good video! Based on the last 1 of yours I watched it seems like the fuel X still sucks?

[EJK]

If you want a noticeable improvement in performance either:
1. increase compression ratio and change the camshaft
2. Big bore kit, or
3. Buy another bike

One thing is for sure, 0-100kph should be about 6.5 secs (mine is), so rev the thing and be more aggressive.

[andreastomblin]

Hey Max, I have the DNA set up but not the Fuel X I am interested in it though because here in Cyprus the bike gets really hot in summer and wanted to reduce the heat. I know you said in the video that you were not sure if it did but I was wondering if you have any update on the temperature issue. Thank!

[nicholaspratt]

Did you run the bike at a tickover for 20 minutes (without revving it) to allow the ECU to recalibrate it?

[jacobjp]

On brake pads ;
Try EPFA209 it be better than one you have shown on the video. why EPFA ? Interceptor is heavy so standard sintered would give just initial bite feel and not enough stopping.

there is a bedding process (prep work on the disk) (and ride up to 70mph and brake hard to stop about 2-3 times)
for EPFA after completing that it would give you a different feedback.

[theoldhobbit]

I really appreciate all the testing you have done, but I don't understand why. If you want speed and power, buy a sports bike. However, if you want a machine that is rock steady, reliable, looks and sounds great, stick with the factory spec RE Interceptor. Of course, there are things to change that will enhance the performance, but these are not engine related. New shocks on the rear, quality brake pads and possibly different tyres, but stick to the spec as shipped, it works well 😊😊

[dariusmb]

Amazing video! To complete the air filter + exhaust upgrade, a reprogramming would be necessary, then you would notice big changes...

[keitharvd]

You need to adjust your settings, you didn’t install the switchable map switch. Probably running on a lean setting