Carb or EFI?
 

All you new bike owners...anybody have one of the Fuel Injected models?

And for all you on lookers, what are your opinions on HD putting more fuel injected bikes in the line up....are they getting away from the carb?

My .02
 

Here's my 2 cents. I know a lot more people are going FI cause you don't have to deal with jetting. Cold weather starts, heat and humidity, altitude, aren't a factor with FI. I know my carburated model has problems with "sneezing", or blowing out the carb, at starts when it's cold. They say the jetting is fine, and she runs great on normal weather days. Plus with the FI models, if you added a Power Commander or a chip, you have more flexibility with settings, and performance. I like the carburated models, I know how to work on that!

I would assume the factory is going to offer more models in FI, but I would guess they will leave you the option for another year or two, then go all FI, except for the Sporty and Dyna. I believe they don't even offer a FI model in those 2 lines yet.

PHAT-BOY

I'll add my 2 cents here. The future of the motorcycle, like it or not, is fuel injection. The main reason is the EPA and the stricter regulations on emmissions. Look at the auto industry, I don't think you can but a vehicle without FI or at least a throttle body setup. Fuel injection will give you a more constant fuel delivery, and is capable of compensating for differences in manifold expansion and contraction, air delivery and to a point exhaust changes. Another good point to FI is you can turn the key, hit the start button and go. Although I would never take off on a cold motor no matter what. Always let the motor warm up a little bit before a take-off. With all motorcycle companies leaning towards FI, the aftermarket companies are designing electronics to compensate for performance modifications. S&S, Merch, and Power Commanders are all the time upgrading their products to fill the bill. Right now, unfortunatley, you have to have a degree in computer engineering to do anything with them, but I can see where the aftermarket will need to come up with some sort of "plug -n-play" equipment for us computer illiterate people. My Wife rides a '96 Bagger that is FI(an early FI) and with 60,000 miles on it, we have not had a bit of problems with it. I put a set of Porker pipes on it with the torque cones and racing baffles in them(still have the sound) and the bike will run with the best of them. I believe all this boils down to is the fear of the unknown, I was that way until I owned one. When I deside to sell my '94 Ultra and buy a new bike it will be a new FI Ultra. Ok, so it was 3 cents.

Carb vs. FI
 

I'm in step with Phat-Boy , I have a 2002 carb Fat Boy , and I wanted the carb because I like being able to adjust & tune it. Also the day may come when I want to swap from the CV to a Mikuni and I will have the option of doing that........But, I also have friends with FI bikes that love them....easy starts, warm ups, and with the powercommanders reflashes are a breeze.
And, I also thinks it's true that in a short couple of years?....you won't have an option, every bike coming down the line will have FI. Due to the emissions regs , the MOCO will be forced to build nothing but FI's.....but either way carb , or FI you will still have a good quality , dependable scooter...for my .02 you can't go wrong either way. So, for someone in the process of shopping for a bike, if a dealer had a bike in stock at the right price I would buy it and not worry either way.

FBR :cool:

I have a 2000 FatBoy with a Carb and wonder what it would be like with a FI model. I was upset when all the cars started switching to FI but now have no objection to that. I have not done a carberator dip since 1976. I guess as long as nothing else changes It should be OK. I have heard that HD is now stating that FI models run cooler because of a temperature sensor that compensates for richness to keep the engine cool. Not sure how that works, HD has the techs so I assume they know.

Rapido

I have a 2003 Road King fuel injected. My last bike was a 1200 Sportster with carb. So far I love the fuel injection. Here in the cold weather the fuel injection is ready to go faster than the carb and is smoother. I am not that interested in engine mods. I bought the bike to ride with my wife on the back so extra performance isn't that important to me but comfort and dependability are. So far I am extremely satisfied with both.
Michael
Ride Safe

Just read an article in Hot Bike on the plane ride home. According to the editors, Harley will be going all FI by 2010, but they expect it to be sooner. They forcast 2005. I would agree.