To each his own but the reason the outer screen was added to the OEM filter was because theirs had some problems with collapsing. Bajaron sells the HiFlo filters and they work just fine. With a metal tube inside I'm not sure how these could collapse. Maybe someone who uses and changes more filters can weigh in. SpyderAnn01?
I have been using and selling a few thousand HiFlo engine and transmission filters for the Spyder each year for the last 6 years or so. Zero issues.
I had already been using the HiFlo filters in my Spyder since 2008. So when BRP pulled all their OEM filters in late 2012 and you could not get an OEM filter for the few months it took BRP to get resupplied, I started selling the HiFlo filter kits.
The entire filter problem was created by the extremely poor quality and construction of the original factory BRP oil filters. When left in the Spyder too long they tended to disintegrate, collapse, or both. BRP decided to pull all supplies of their oil filters from the dealerships in late 2012 due to increasing engine replacement demands on warranty because of filter issues. The only oil filter failures I am aware of were the original (2008-2012) OEM BRP factory products.
The original BRP filters used 'Off The Shelf' dimensions from filters already in production and used by a number of other vehicles. Why BRP did not simply purchase from HiFlo is beyond me. Then, when their filters began to fail BRP again had an opportunity to simply purchase from an already proven source making high quality, reliable filters like HiFlo. Instead, BRP decided to reinvent the wheel. Which is where we are today.
The current BRP filters are of high quality materials and construction. The current BRP filters have both internal and external filter element support (metal tube inside and wire mesh outside).
The HiFlo filters never had the external wire mesh and they still don't. But with a zero problem record and millions of other vehicles using this same design it would seem this extra step is unnecessary.
I also carry K&N filter sets for all Spyder models. The transmission filter for the SE5 does have wire mesh on the exterior. But the engine filter (like the HiFlow) does not.
As a side note. I still have dozens of owners using the original, smaller HiFlo transmission filter. It is much less expensive, easier to find, filters all the oil needed, and has suffered zero issues in the 10 years they have been in service for the Spyder (not to mention many more years and miles for other vehicles).
