Carburated or Fuel Injected
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Club Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Orillia,ON
Carburated or Fuel Injected
I need some info. I have the opportunity to purchase a Deluxe that I like. My question is that the last 2 Harley's I have owned were Fuel Injected and I never had an issue with them. The Deluxe is Carburated and I am a little concerened about that.
Are there any issues I should be worried about or is there nothing to worry about with Carburated.
Thanks............
Are there any issues I should be worried about or is there nothing to worry about with Carburated.
Thanks............
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Oh dang, you just reminded me that I forgot to turn the petcock off after my ride yesterday.
I bought my Evo just a few months ago. It's my 4th Harley, but my first to be carbureted. On the technical side, the carburetor is a lot cheaper and less work to fix if something goes wrong. On the operations side, there a few more actions like “turning off the fuel petcock” when you leave your engine off for a day or more and using the choke to start the bike.
Personally one of the reasons I wanted an Evo was to have something that got me closer to tinkering with the engine. Choking to start it takes me back to the good old days of riding. I think you will enjoy it for the same reason.
I don't know why the carbureted Evo experience is that much different from my 09 SG, but I let my buddy ride the Evo last week and he had a simular experience. All he has owned in the last 25 years are injected BMWs, Harleys and Goldwings. When he turned of the engine after riding my bike, he said with a big smile on his face “THAT’S LIKE RIDING A REAL MOTORCYCLE! I'v GOT TO GET ONE OF THESE.” I wouldn’t be surprised if your response is something similar.
Beary
I bought my Evo just a few months ago. It's my 4th Harley, but my first to be carbureted. On the technical side, the carburetor is a lot cheaper and less work to fix if something goes wrong. On the operations side, there a few more actions like “turning off the fuel petcock” when you leave your engine off for a day or more and using the choke to start the bike.
Personally one of the reasons I wanted an Evo was to have something that got me closer to tinkering with the engine. Choking to start it takes me back to the good old days of riding. I think you will enjoy it for the same reason.
I don't know why the carbureted Evo experience is that much different from my 09 SG, but I let my buddy ride the Evo last week and he had a simular experience. All he has owned in the last 25 years are injected BMWs, Harleys and Goldwings. When he turned of the engine after riding my bike, he said with a big smile on his face “THAT’S LIKE RIDING A REAL MOTORCYCLE! I'v GOT TO GET ONE OF THESE.” I wouldn’t be surprised if your response is something similar.
Beary
Last edited by beary; Mar 18, 2015 at 03:55 PM.
I prefer a carb, but my 09 Ultra is sure smooth to start and just take off. Apples and Oranges, both good so can't say. I do know it's easy to pull a carb off and do a clean & rebuild - if needed. If you want to drop the idle a little for the potato sound you'll never beat a carb on a Pan, Shovel, or Evo.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
I have an EFI Deluxe. I wish it was carb'd. The same with my Triumph Bonneville.
Both would require the use of a windows laptop to run the tuning software....not to mention learning the software. I don't have a laptop, so it's an expense just for this purpose.
Jet changes and idle adjustments on a carb'd bike are much easier and less money. And the stock vacuum activated petcock shuts the fuel off when the motor stops running.
Both would require the use of a windows laptop to run the tuning software....not to mention learning the software. I don't have a laptop, so it's an expense just for this purpose.
Jet changes and idle adjustments on a carb'd bike are much easier and less money. And the stock vacuum activated petcock shuts the fuel off when the motor stops running.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 5
From: London, UK
EFI, properly set up, will start and run perfectly every day of the year, no matter the temperature, altitude or fuel. Carbs will always be a compromise for different throttle, load and temperature conditions and so can be fiddly in extremes (deep winter, hot days etc.)
Choosing a carb bike because it's "easier to tune" is only a good reason if you're not willing to learn how easy it really is to tune an EFI bike and already know how to tune the carb to the best of its (limited) abilities.
If you don't know how to tune a carb, irrespective of how much you like the "simpler" technology, it still isn't going to help you at the road side, and you're much more likely to find yourself there than with an EFI bike.
Choosing a carb bike because it's "easier to tune" is only a good reason if you're not willing to learn how easy it really is to tune an EFI bike and already know how to tune the carb to the best of its (limited) abilities.
If you don't know how to tune a carb, irrespective of how much you like the "simpler" technology, it still isn't going to help you at the road side, and you're much more likely to find yourself there than with an EFI bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
First bike in 1965 was carbed, last one I bought last year was carbed, and all in between. Most of the used ones I bought needed a carb cleaning or at least some tweaking, but with carbs I've found that to be easy enough, and once done they'd run fine for years. Worst carb problem I had was a new Yamaha enduro in '81; emission laws made them lean it out till it would barely start, plugged over the mix screw, and had no other size jets to fit; had to get creative on that one, but did get it running just fine. Later carbed Harleys have that factory installed very lean mix, too, and don't like aftermarket mufflers without carb tweaking, but I've done that, too, and didn't think it was difficult.
At the roadside with a carb... carbs can act up a bit when the float level gets off, gaskets leak, or screws back off, but never had one just quit, and never known anyone that did. And I have tweaked them on the road when I thought they could do better. EFI can quit completely, and probably will if there's a problem, with no roadside fix possible. Fortunately, it's very reliable, doesn't happen often. I wouldn't really worry about EFI, but would have more faith in carbs far from home. Not saying I don't like any of the new tech, sure don't miss ignition points!
At the roadside with a carb... carbs can act up a bit when the float level gets off, gaskets leak, or screws back off, but never had one just quit, and never known anyone that did. And I have tweaked them on the road when I thought they could do better. EFI can quit completely, and probably will if there's a problem, with no roadside fix possible. Fortunately, it's very reliable, doesn't happen often. I wouldn't really worry about EFI, but would have more faith in carbs far from home. Not saying I don't like any of the new tech, sure don't miss ignition points!
Last edited by Imold; Mar 19, 2015 at 07:37 AM.
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Club Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 1,936
From: NE Florida
99% of the time you're riding, you won't know the difference between the two. I've had both carb'd and EFI Harleys. I wouldn't hesitate to go back to a carb if it was the right bike.
Stop worrying and ride. Carb'd Harleys have been around forever.
Stop worrying and ride. Carb'd Harleys have been around forever.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,228
Likes: 7,806
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
Current 2x bikes in the garage are carb'd.
Had an FI 06 Dyna with a twinkie prior to the Shovel.
Starting up...the carbs fire right up. And I right most year around up in New England here...so yes during cold weather, everything weather.
So ya gotta let it idle and warm up for a minute or two....where as with an FI you can take right off. Let's be honest...99.9999% of people will STILL sit there and warm up their FI rides for a few minutes anyways...and I think >50% of the riders warm up their FI rides for at least 5 minutes. So...what's the excuse there?
You can tune a carb how you like. Yup...they sound great too!
While I did not have a problem with my prior FI bike....a bud of mine did have his break and strand him on the highway. When FI dies....it can totally die on you. I've read a few of those stories here too...and from other buds.
A carb..when it start to have problems...usually the worst that happens is she'll run a little finicky or rough on you....but never heard of one totally 100% dying and stranding you.
Not saying carbs are better than FI for all people (except for sound..heh)....but the reasons I see people "poo poo" carbs...really aren't true.
Had an FI 06 Dyna with a twinkie prior to the Shovel.
Starting up...the carbs fire right up. And I right most year around up in New England here...so yes during cold weather, everything weather.
So ya gotta let it idle and warm up for a minute or two....where as with an FI you can take right off. Let's be honest...99.9999% of people will STILL sit there and warm up their FI rides for a few minutes anyways...and I think >50% of the riders warm up their FI rides for at least 5 minutes. So...what's the excuse there?
You can tune a carb how you like. Yup...they sound great too!
While I did not have a problem with my prior FI bike....a bud of mine did have his break and strand him on the highway. When FI dies....it can totally die on you. I've read a few of those stories here too...and from other buds.
A carb..when it start to have problems...usually the worst that happens is she'll run a little finicky or rough on you....but never heard of one totally 100% dying and stranding you.
Not saying carbs are better than FI for all people (except for sound..heh)....but the reasons I see people "poo poo" carbs...really aren't true.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 10
From: Jacksonville
I love carbed bikes. They feel much more "mechanical" than modern Harleys. They sound better too. It's like a bi-plane vs. modern. Both have their nuances. If you've never experienced one, I would give it a whirl. Definitely nothing to be scared of.