Whats the deal with the hinged Airhead oil filter?

I saw them and see them everywhere online. Mine o n the R60 is one piece, is the one on the RS hinged?

It is.

es but why? What is the hinge for? or better way to ask, why is it hinged?

Was the hinge added to make it a bit easier to install with the RS/RT fairing lower? I've heard that but never had an RS/RT.

Now THAT would make sense!

Half of the filters I buy are hinged. I ride /6's.

I don't think you can buy straight ones from bmw anymore. Can you? The hinged ones are somewhat more resistant to collapsing if that matters to you. The hinge certainly does make them easier to install on bikes with fairing lowers and close pipes like gs's etc.

I have six of the new in box original straight ones. Got em with the R60/5. I will buy a 6 pac with o rings and gaskets hinged ones.

I used to have to remove a set of crash bars at each oil change before using the hinged filters. My sidehack subframe also hangs in the way of a straight filter. Hinged filters are definately a good thing!

Frequently, the straight filters will not go into a /5-/6. The reinforcing ring is a bit too small to slide over the long center tube in these motors.

for years I used straight filters on my /6 but once I discovered the hinged jobs, I switched over forever. They just make getting the filters in and out a little easier and quicker.

OTOH, if we're talking R100, the hinged filters are a must-have. If not for those items, I doubt that I could swap filters without pulling the front engine mount!

I've crushed a few that weren't hinged. something about the pressure differential. Didn't seem to affect how they worked but I wouldn't have a way to know. Parts Unlimited filters aren't hinged and they're 6 bucks. I'd spring for the BMW filters if I had a fairing but on the G/S the straight filters go in fine. Can't beat the price.