Carb vs f.i.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
My 98 RKC is my first EFI bike. I was pretty nervous about it at first, having only owned carbs before. I had to do quite a bit of reading and learning but I've gotten comfortable with it. The only problem I've had is to replace the head temp sensor twice. Other than that, it's been fine. I also picked up a used breakout box to help with diagnostics.
I really like simply hitting the switch and it's running. Not like that on my shovel or ironhead by any stretch of the imagination. I like reliability. If I want speed, I'll jump on something else. My bike is also nearly stock, except for stage I.
You will have to warm up any EVO for a while regardless of fuel system or you will get base gasket leaks.
I really like simply hitting the switch and it's running. Not like that on my shovel or ironhead by any stretch of the imagination. I like reliability. If I want speed, I'll jump on something else. My bike is also nearly stock, except for stage I.
You will have to warm up any EVO for a while regardless of fuel system or you will get base gasket leaks.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The lunge as she pulls away never fails to please. EFI is great! So is the S&S Super G on my 107".....
You will have to warm up any EVO for a while regardless of fuel system or you will get base gasket leaks.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Back in 1971 I seriously considered buying a Munch Mammut, with mechanical fuel injection! We've had a lot of opportunities since then to get used to it. 
Last edited by grbrown; Jun 19, 2012 at 04:49 PM. Reason: Added link.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Carburetors might be user friendly but old tech and old news. Fuel injection is such a vast improvement and has infinite tuning options.
A carb has no advantages over fuel injection. Not in today's day and age.
Automobiles ditched carbs in the 80s. Bikes are 20-30 years behind but at least finally a government agency(EPA) did something useful for a change
A carb has no advantages over fuel injection. Not in today's day and age.
Automobiles ditched carbs in the 80s. Bikes are 20-30 years behind but at least finally a government agency(EPA) did something useful for a change
Banned
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From: Location location.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,078
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From: Ohio
EFI adapts quickly to temperature and conditions and it's advantages, infinite tuning options is only in the hands of a $300-$500 a session tuner and you hope he is a good one that has the ability to use all of the drop down menues, if not, should be another guy available to charge you again. In the right hands, a Delphi with a Mastertune/Powercommander is a weapon and a great combination for finely tuning and getting every ounce of efficiency is a strength and will give credit when credit is due.
I have to break news daily of $2000-$3000 dollar repairs to customers for the modern EFI control systems so many don't get to see the side of EFI repair costs I deal with daily, EFI technology holds people ransom by streamlining techs that can repair the failures, maybe that is why I have a hard time of spending the coin for a aftermarket EFI and remember, we are talking EFI for a 1995-1998 Evos, aftermarket costs a fortune and not many choices to install a aftermarket EFI system to a Evo so the world of infinate tuning is narrowed down. Is a 1995-1998 EFI better than a carb? that was the origional question, I will take a Mikuni over this system anyday and havn't read about it for referance.
Last edited by 1997bagger; Jun 19, 2012 at 09:33 PM. Reason: 3rd grade education
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 15
From: Senoia, Ga., by way of Miami, Fl..
It's honestly a bit silly to compare modern automotive EFI to anything EVO, let alone MM EFI.. In reality,"modern" EFI of even '85 used an o2 sensor for feedback in order to make adjustments. On the MM EFI, '95-98 HD, there is no o2. Meaning, you get what's programmed in. It is what it is. Programmers can get them better based on pre programmed maps(from what I understand), but still not a feedback system.. Hell, my buddy's first mod to his new nightrain was to disconnect the o2 and use a programmer...... In a nutshell, my point is, if HD used full blown OBDII EFI systems on their bikes, I'd be completely sold and would never think twice about a carb.. In fact, that is my exact feeling in the automotive world... Carbs are useless on a car, horrible antiquated tech that for every operating mode, delivered the wrong amount of fuel.... But, on a bike, I'm finding it hard to beat.. Now that I have both a couple of carbed bikes and now an injected, the injected is nice, but not nearly as freindly as the carbs when thinking of mods. If I happened to break down, I hope I'm on the carbed bike because I can probably fix it and parts are readilly available..