Carburetor vs. fuel injected ???
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 14
From: Mid-Missouri
Carburetor vs. fuel injected ???
I am looking at a 2002 Heritage Springer with 22,000 miles. Bike is carbureted. Wondered what you thoughts were on this age bike and mileage. I have owned a number of Harleys but they were fuel injected and I really like that. Thanks
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 581
Likes: 7
From: Portland, OR
For me, 22K on an ’02 is low mileage, but then we’ve all seen the ’02 garage queen with only 2400 miles on it for sale. As long as there are maintenance records, I’d likely buy the bike with 22K on it then the low mileage garage queen.
Carb vs. EFI? Well that’s about as loaded of a question as “which oil you running?” Obviously you can do a search and read tons of posts stating the pros and cons of each and I’m sure you have your own opinion since you’ve owned a number of EFI Harleys. My guess is from you owning EFI, you’ll hate the slow warm up time of a carb. For me, EFI is great as long as all the sensors are working. However, EFI is not forgiving even if just one of the sensors flakes out, EFI won’t get you home. A carb will likely never leave you stranded. You may have to gas the crap out of it to start the bike and/or to keep it running, but you’ll likely limp home with a carb.
Carb vs. EFI? Well that’s about as loaded of a question as “which oil you running?” Obviously you can do a search and read tons of posts stating the pros and cons of each and I’m sure you have your own opinion since you’ve owned a number of EFI Harleys. My guess is from you owning EFI, you’ll hate the slow warm up time of a carb. For me, EFI is great as long as all the sensors are working. However, EFI is not forgiving even if just one of the sensors flakes out, EFI won’t get you home. A carb will likely never leave you stranded. You may have to gas the crap out of it to start the bike and/or to keep it running, but you’ll likely limp home with a carb.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 7
From: FL & SoCal
I currently have two bikes..one with FI and the other with a Carb..Both are good and reliable but the convenience of FI is hard to beat...especially on cooler mornings....I would not buy another carb'd bike as my primary machine....
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,271
Likes: 29
From: Green Country,Oklahoma
My 05 eg with fuel injection has been great so far.I had problems with a o2 sensor 07 Sportster the shop where I bought it did not know how to fix it.Traded it in on a 05 springer with a carb.It ran good but sputtered untill I "adjusted" the carb.It is perfect now.Alot less worries for me with a carb.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 3
From: Long Island, NY
Carbs are cool and they run sweet too. As mentioned above, carbs you can fix yourself. Maybe a little diff is the starter on cold days (no need for that on a FI) and maybe a little diff in how the bike runs in the colder months while it warms up. but other than that there really isn't any difference from a riding perspective. more a diff on the maint side
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, OH
22,000 miles isn't bad for an 02. It means the guy rode it. As mentioned before, ask for maintenance records. My softail is carbed and my bagger is fuel injected and if its high 50's or warmer, the carb bike fires up just like the FI bike. A couple twists on the throttle before cranking and it fires up immediately. Cold mornings it will seem cold blooded compared to a FI bike, but it will still start and is rideable. You just have to adjust your riding style until it is warmed up. Its not unbearable even when its cold. I wouldn't shy away from a carbed bike at all. Plus the idle on a carbed bike is a little lower, so it sounds way cooler than a stock FI bike.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
My 02 has 50K on it also. I ride everywhere. It is EFI, but it would be nice to have a carb for simplicity. I disagree that you can't fix EFI, but most people say that 2002 was the best year due to the Timkin crank bearing. All I have done to mine is replace the cam chain tensioners at 40K, and lots and lots of cosmetic changes. I will keep this bike forever.