carb v FI
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From: cambridge
carb v FI
Hi All, is there a general opinion as to weather a carb is better than fuel injection or the other way round. Other than cold starts is the FI any good for anything else. Also, when adding air filter and slip ons I assume it is just a re jet with the carb but I would need to add a fuel pack with the FI, is this right. Thanks for your thoughts.
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From: ct
I am a vintage bike nut. I love old bikes. Having said that the two things I despise about old bikes are points ignition and carburetor's. They are just problematic and prone to excessive failure for no gain. In the case of the carburetor its not totally its fault. Tuned properly they are relatively trouble free (tuning and syncing multiple carb bikes is almost an art form however). The additives in modern gas wreaks on them. For the average user fuel injection is money well spent. You are correct, changes to the air and fuel are done with a tuner on the FI bikes. A lot less time consuming than swapping jets for the person who knows how to do it. Well, thats two cents worth of advice at least.
Last edited by acrviper; Aug 6, 2014 at 04:25 AM.
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From: cambridge
Thanks for your reply acrviper, I suppose these modern systems are there for a reason and I do remember having carb troubles on older bikes. I suppose Im going to be looking more toward an 07 onwards bike then. Thanks again.
I had never owned a bike with EFI until several years ago and it was like a revelation. EFI is so nice, I'm not sure I could ever have another Carb'ed bike for a daily rider. I'm thinking of building a bike in the near future and it may be carb'ed, but I don't think I'll ever ride another motorcycle again on a daily basis that isn't EFI.
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From: Tennessee
I prefer a carbed bike....Simple to fix.
I've never had any serious carb problems on any of my bikes (had floats stick a couple of times)
EFI is nice when it works right, but when you start having problems with it, it's a bitch.
I'll stick with carbs as long as I can.
I've never had any serious carb problems on any of my bikes (had floats stick a couple of times)
EFI is nice when it works right, but when you start having problems with it, it's a bitch.
I'll stick with carbs as long as I can.
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From: cambridge
sounds like EFI is the way to go. I have a 125 beach bike that has EFI but that is the only comparison I have, but I must say it fires up on the button first time every time. I suppose there is also less parts involved with EFI
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Muskegon, MI
I like my carbs as i can tweek the motor without a fuel managment system. They do preform better and give you much better mpg's. I just like carbs personally but would not turn down a efi bike if i was offered one.
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From: Central California
I prefer a carbed bike....Simple to fix.
I've never had any serious carb problems on any of my bikes (had floats stick a couple of times)
EFI is nice when it works right, but when you start having problems with it, it's a bitch.
I'll stick with carbs as long as I can.
I've never had any serious carb problems on any of my bikes (had floats stick a couple of times)
EFI is nice when it works right, but when you start having problems with it, it's a bitch.
I'll stick with carbs as long as I can.
A carb can be trouble free with routine maintenance. Of course EFI can too.
But for me, I can fix a carb problem easily, as I understand them.
EFI....too much "VooDoo Magic". Never wanted to learn the programming, and not willing to pay others to work on my bike.
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From: NE Philly
There's one thing a carbed bike can do that a FI bike can't. Especially when if there's no electricity when the battery is dead. A carbed bike can be started by popping the clutch while moving and having the bike in 2nd or 3rd gear.
A bike with a carb can have the idle easily adjusted. The carburetor is also easy to adjust overall. Plus it usually sounds better.
Other than the above, a FI is better in just about every other way. Especially if you travel from sea level to the mountains a carbed bike can be a pain and run poorly while the EFI will adjust for the change in altitude and run better.
A bike with a carb can have the idle easily adjusted. The carburetor is also easy to adjust overall. Plus it usually sounds better.
Other than the above, a FI is better in just about every other way. Especially if you travel from sea level to the mountains a carbed bike can be a pain and run poorly while the EFI will adjust for the change in altitude and run better.
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My 04 is carbed, which I like. 44k and never a problem. But if I ever do have a problem all ya need to do is remove it, clean it and replace the gaskets and O-rings. They are simple to work on. Jetting is tried and true.
The old jap bikes in my garage(and previous bikes) have 4 per bike. Cleaned and re-jetted numerous Mikuni carbs in my time, probably at least 50 of em.
I know nothing about EFI on a Harley except the idle don't sound as good.
The old jap bikes in my garage(and previous bikes) have 4 per bike. Cleaned and re-jetted numerous Mikuni carbs in my time, probably at least 50 of em.
I know nothing about EFI on a Harley except the idle don't sound as good.