We don't all hate the stock airbox. Some of us prefer them. For a street bike, they work better than pods. Every bike I have gotten with pods, had jetting and other performance issues mostly solved with the return of the airbox and a Uni Foam filter element.
Rain ingestion, crosswind effects and where you put your legs near the outer carbs are some drawbacks of pods.
Futher, pod filters effect the slow jet/idle fuel metering system. On your carbs, the adjustment range available for compensation is very limited. The slow jets are pressed in and replacements (let alone other sizes) are made of unobtainium. The carb bodies are machinable to accept screw in types, but skills to perform this have to be acquired or purchased.
It is much easier to learn how to fit the carbs and airbox properly. If the rubber couplers are already buggered up, get new ones from Divid SIlver Spares, assemble and ride. But, if you'd rather tinker with poor throttle response, and other carb tuning issues, go for the pods. The year's education could be worth it in the long run. But, if you can't solve the puzzle of installing and removing carbs with the stock airbox, the puzzle of correct carb rejetting is way beyond that simple endeavor.
If you think pods are an easy fix... Just make a pedestal for it and put it in your living room as an art exhibit. Or, prepare yourself for a long learning experience. Pods can be made to run well on the track, with knowledge and tinkering, if that's what you want to do.
Dang, I think someone put bitter pills in with vitamins today...
Cheers,
