Why should it matter if the carb vent hose is not connected to the air filter housing. Wouldn't the effect be the same whether connected or not?

As long as the end is shielded from direct draft, it doesn't matter where it goes. Mine is tie-wrapped to the frame under the tank facing rearward.

Jon

The only reason it's in the ear is because that's a convenient place to put it. What Jon says is true. As long as air isn't flowing directly into it, or it isn't plugged, it's all good.

They put it there so fumes will be burned through the carbs, supposedly. Emissions...

My bike doesn't run right unless the vent hose is outside of the air box and facing forward. I had a hell of a time figuring out why the bike kept sputtering out at over 1/4 throttle and once I took the end of the vent hose out of the airbox and faced it forward the bike ran perfect.