This is my 3rd GL (1st 1800) and I currently own 2 other bikes. I consider myself an adequate mechanic and don’t shy away from most challenges. I own a factory shop manual as well and hence my deciding to install this filter. If you can do this in 4 hours as some have proclaimed, then hats off to you. My recommendation, have the dealer do it on the next full service. Here’s why: First off, plan on 6 hours at least and plan on doing the project the same day unless you have a superior memory. In addition, take some digital pictures of the wire routing around the ECM and ABS. This is going to be a problem later if you don’t. Yes, I lay parts and screws out in an array to reinstall later and even number screws where there is a large successive order to install. I have a fully loaded GL (sans airbag) and there are a number of additional components to remove/disconnect. Another thing, there is a myriad of tabs, grommets, pins, fasteners in addition to the unending number of electrical connections. If you are not familiar when to push, pull, pry or hit it with a larger hammer, you are going to be frustrated. There is nothing in the factory manual that descriptively tells you how to disconnect the myriad of parts. This is why it takes 3 hours alone to get to the air filter. On my GL, I could not get the ECM fully out as I could not determine how to disconnect what I believe was the cruise control cable. Issue number 2. Honda, rightfully so, built the top of the air box to maintain the mounting screws in the lid. Great design so you don’t lose one in the bowels of the beast. Horrible issue when installing the filter. Here’s my complaint on the K&N design. A stock filter is hard plastic and has a seal ridge top and bottom. It stays completely seated as it’s milled specific to the air box. The K&N is rubber and only has a bottom ridge seal. You have to manually push the bottom ridge in the air box to seat it correctly. The fun starts when you try and replace the top air box cover and those fixed screws catch the filter and then unseat it from the bottom air box. Being a rubber filter, it doesn’t stay fixed in the bottom air box guide and you get nervous that it’s not seated correctly prior to mounting the top. Yes, I thought of using tape to hold the screws up but worried that it would compromise the overall seal of the top. Typical Honda, and I say this out of experience, it’s easy to strip the air box screws even without over tightening. Mine stripped on the extracting not installation. A common experience on some Honda factory parts.

So the reinstall is just as fun. If evolution hasn’t gifted you with a 3rd arm, call a friend. The Top Shelter is much simpler with a holder and another to push connectors together. Remember the part about knowing how all the ECM and ABS wire cables went. This is when you find out you didn’t route them the same way. The top shelter will never lay flat if the wiring is not routed correctly.

Not sure I would tackle this again just to get this filter installed. I own K&N filters in all my vehicles but this one does not seem the best thought out given how you need to ensure it is seated correctly in a space you can’t see into well.

And unless you were gifted with small hands, everything is a challenge to perform the various disconnecting/connecting on. Again, I am a fairly competent mechanic performing some pretty major projects. These full fairing bikes and complex systems and space management just don’t lend to easy installations this deep inside the beast. Good luck all. Hope this helps.

The filter fit fine, I didnt have to trim anything. The installation however is another story (though its not K&N's fault). Just take your time and be ready to remove a LOT of screws and disconnect a LOT of connecters. I picked a rainy day and spent 6 or 7 hours putting it in.Glad they only need cleaning every 25,000 miles. Having a fridge nearby and stocked with beer helps.

Noticable throttle crispness. Better acceleration. I like the idea of a re-usable filter and have had great results with K&N products. The installation is not for the faint. It's a time consuming job. I think I'm going to like the results though.

with installing this filter and the KIng Snake slip- on mufflers my mpg has increased by 3.5 and the bike responds faster. I have a 2008 Goldwing

I run K&N filters in my automobiles for years and they always worked well so I thought I'd try it in my bike.
One good thing I don't need to tear everything apart to clean the filter for a long time to come.