[clearwaterms]

i don't get it. I have a carbed bike, it runs great, different temps, different pressures, sure it doesn't make the horsepower of a FI bike, but that shouldn't be the concern of a new rider. Carbs are generally smoother to roll on the throttle then fuel injected. If you don't believe me, look at the new FZ1 it's a perfect example, the 1st gen fz1, was buttery smooth, the second, people complain that when you first open the throttle it jerks, the same thing with triumphs, it has to do with the way FI works at opening throttle bodies, they are not as modular as carbs, no past that very small open, FI works great. so why does everybody think FI is the only way to go? carbed bikes are not bad.

 

[1quick1]

I like just being able to start the bike up and it will adjust it's own idle until it warms up.

 

[jk750]

I have to agree for the most part. FI does not automatically give you more hp. Properly tuned carbs can be as smooth or smoother than any FI on any bike. Most every FI bike has some degree of harshness or abruptness at low throttle or on/off throttle use.

But there are several advantages to FI. Not the least of which is decreased emissions, easier tuning, smoother warm-up, and more consistent operation over a variety of conditions and length of time.
Even the best tuned carbs don't stay that way for very long.

 

[SlowCBR]

Well, I'm not a new rider but I'll share my reasons for getting a fuel-injected bike. My first bike, a '93 CBR 600 F2, was carbed. The previous owner installed a jet kit, but didn't do a great job of it so the bike wasn't in the best state of tune. I would have to clean the carbs every 4,000 miles or so, which was about 3 times during the time I owned the bike. There was also the fun of cold starts, but it really wasn't too bad on the F2.

I went towards fuel injection because it seemed more consistent and it was also not an option on the newer model CBR 600s, the type of bike I wanted. I have also done a lot of tuning on a fuel injected car, my '97 Talon, so it is what I am comfortable working with, rather than carbs. The additional small amount of horsepower is a nice bonus.

I think it's attractive to newer riders since all the current top-of-the-line sportbikes are fuel injected. If you want to get carbed motors in newer model bikes, it would have to be in the 2nd or 3rd tier models from a given manufacturer (i.e. Honda 599, Yamaha 600R, etc.). They are not bad bikes, but they are also not the "race" bikes so many people want to buy and ride.

 

[Xiaoding]

FI engines last longer. FI is easier to fix than carbs. FI is also much more reliable. I can live with jerky, I got a clutch.

 

[RayOSV]

My first bike, a '93 CBR 600 F2, was carbed. The previous owner installed a jet kit, but didn't do a great job of it so the bike wasn't in the best state of tune. I would have to clean the carbs every 4,000 miles or so, which was about 3 times during the time I owned the bike. There was also the fun of cold starts, but it really wasn't too bad on the F2.

Did your F2 also have pod air filters or stock air box? I can see no reason why jetting would require cleaning the carbs so often.

Early FI on bikes was somewhat clunky and produced rough-running issues compared to well-tuned carbs. That has changed now with FI being much more refined on bikes. I think some are afraid of having to tear into carbs and gravitate toward FI as a result. Neither should be avoided all else being equal.

 

[clearwaterms]

FI engines last longer.

they do? could you provide some proof to this?

FI is easier to fix than carbs.

a matter of opinion, easier to tune? yes, easier to fix? I have to disagree, carbs are very simple to diagnos, it's all mechanical.

FI is also much more reliable.

I once again question this. I will admit that FI is more tolerable then carbs in a variety of situations, isn't as effected by climates, and does get better gas mileage, but how is it more reliable? Is it because now you have to deal with a fuel pump, wire harness, and a host of other parts taht simply don't exist on a carbed SV?

 

[jiffy]

Simple answer. Easier to start in colder weather. My 250 does not run nearly as well as some FI bikes when it gets really cold.

 

[Iceman_954rr]

My '02 954 is a little jerky at low speed but once you're moving...no big deal. It can be a little annoying at stop signs, but more of a quirk than a problem.

My old FZR1000 with the jet kit on it was Smooth from a stop, but a pain in the A$$ to warm up.

Either one is fine with me.

 

[ShaneTbolt]

Horse power:
Both FI and carbs can create more HP so that is an equal playing field.

Choke:
FI removes operator involvement, no choke to deal with. Carbs require the operator to pay attention to their machine.

Tuning:
FI tend to be more complicated because you need computers and such devices. Where carburators can be worked on by the average home garage using basic tools, wrenches, sockets, and screw drivers.

So the debate over carbs or fuel injection comes down to what the masses say they want. It is tough to buy a carburated bike now a days, even off road vehicles are getting fuel injection, Suzuki has a new racing ATV with fuel injection. By by two stroke hello four stroke, by by carburator hello fuel injection.

 

[bob12312357]

95percent of the problems on a carbed bike are, carbs needa be cleaned,spark plugs,air filter,worn clutch. It is simple as hell to diagnose. It takes me 3 hours while at a party to completely disassemble everything and readjust it and clean it up,changed spark plugs 2. It is really simple to work on 2. I never had a problem startin a well maintained carbed bike. My old FZR 1000 started right up and i just played with choke to allow proper warm up. Who the hell said FI engines last longer then carbs, i want proof.

 

[whatheduece]

I had a 97 Gixxer 600 and it was great, I had no probs with the carbs. The only drawback in my eyes is the suck to warm up in the cold weather.

 

[MeinGlänzendMotorrad]

Another vote with the "Hate the cold start" camp.

 

[tilejerky]

For me, it was strictly for the cold weather starting. My FZ6 starts right up, even in temps as low as the high 20's. My carbed '83 Nighthawk, on the other hand, would get really tempermental once the temps got below 50 or so.

I love knowing that my bike is going to start regardless of the weather conditions.

 

[VTEC_EATER]

I hated tuning my FZR600 with pod filters and full exhaust. I would foul out plugs almost every week. If the weather was 5 degrees warmer, or any more humid then the last day, it ran wrong. Even after having it professionally tuned, the problems persisted. The bike wouldnt start if it were hot, it was a bitch to start in the cold. It would cut out (as in go to 0 rpms) when I would put in the clutch lever to shift. Total pain in the ass.

I vowed that my next bike would be fuel injected and I have never once regretted it. Even though properly tuned carbs can produce more power (in a race situation), you are constantly playing with needle settings, bowl float heights, main jets, spring stiffness. Its a total bitch.

 

[onebxr]

I like FI because it gives me a neat little red light on my insturment cluster. I have ownded both and I really could care less if it is fi or carbed. You have issues with both and benifits of both. Noobs want FI b/c thats what the new rocket ships have on em. Most ppl who say they want FI dont even know what the hell FI does.
-0ne

 

[clearwaterms]

I like FI because it gives me a neat little red light on my insturment cluster. I have ownded both and I really could care less if it is fi or carbed. You have issues with both and benifits of both. Noobs want FI b/c thats what the new rocket ships have on em. Most ppl who say they want FI dont even know what the hell FI does.
-0ne

this truely is the way I see it. I own a carb bike, not FI, and while I will admit at times when it's cold it doesn't always start right up, it's not because of the carbs, a slight twist and it fires up... warming it up doesn't take that long, and it's a bad practice to ride away a cold bike, FI, carbed, or otherwise.

 

[KatanaMike]

wrong answer ---> it's a bad practice to ride away a cold bike, FI, carbed, or otherwise

Almost all manufacturers recommend a minimum of warm up time and to ride easy until fully warmed up.

 

[SlowCBR]

Did your F2 also have pod air filters or stock air box? I can see no reason why jetting would require cleaning the carbs so often.

It did have the stock airbox. I think it was generally running richer than necessary, which led to not the greatest performance (which I didn't care about since I was still learning) and would eventually clog the carbs. After I cleaned them out regularly, the bike always ran better. I can't remember the specifics since this was 2+ years ago, but that's the main gist of it.

 

[Jiggly]

But there are several advantages to FI. Not the least of which is decreased emissions, easier tuning, smoother warm-up, and more consistent operation over a variety of conditions and length of time.
Even the best tuned carbs don't stay that way for very long.

and they dont need to be rebuilt/pulled and cleaned every 20k miles which equates to every other year in my book.

my next is definatly going to be FI because the custom maps are cheaper to get as well. 150 as opposed to 600