Missing my air intake pipe on my 2005 R1150R. Bad?

[skovacic]

Someone took the air intake pipe off my bike. Will it damage the bike to run without it? It's an inexpensive part (~$25) but I won't have time to replace for another week!

[AirForceDirt]

Well, since there's nothing in it, it shouldn't do anything at all, but you might notice the bike running different. Did they break it off, or actually unscrew the fastener and remove it?

[page62]

If your air filter was missing, that would be cause for concern. But the intake pipe? It's not going to cause a problem. You're just losing the "ram air" effect at speed, but that only provides a negligible power increase anyway...

[skovacic]

Someone took the time to unscrew it! No damage. Thanks for the responses...I did actually feel the difference at speed...a loss of ability to accelerate promptly. Air filter looks filthy from the side view but that is to be expected since it is now exposed to the road directly from the side of the bike and we've been getting tons of rain. I commute everyday with this bike ...rain or shine.

[NoRRmad]

The air intake is tuned to increase airflow at a specific RPM, often where there is a flat spot on the power curve. Running without it will cause effects like the acceleration pause you report.

[Oilhead]

Someone took the time to unscrew it!

That's quite disturbing. Obviously it's someone who needed that part specifically meaning it's another R1150R rider.