I got a K&N air filter. I looked in the owners manual and says nothing on how to get to it. I know it under the gas tank. do you take the two black side panels off then two bolts on front of tank then two in the rear and lift up the tank ?

 

yeah basically you take everything off you need to to get all 4 gas tank bolts off
I've never done anything in the airbox without actually removing the tank completely, but I've heard it can be done
there are philips head screws all around the airbox and one in the center, you'll also have a connector to unplug