Fuel Injection or Carburation: Which is "better"?

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skoebl · #1 Post by **skoebl** » Sat May 13, 2006 12:41 am

Well, I've been looking at SV-650's a lot lately, and saw that in 2003 or so they switched to fuel injection.
Would it be better to get a fuel injected one 'cause I can get it new, or should I get a used carb'd one since they're probably easier to work on.

Discuss

Gummiente · #2 Post by **Gummiente** » Sat May 13, 2006 12:49 am

skoebl wrote:Discuss

Fuel injection. End of discussion.

dieziege · #3 Post by **dieziege** » Sat May 13, 2006 2:06 am

Fuel injection is MUCH easier to work on.

Carbs aren't difficult, but any sort of tuning (beyond setting idle speed) requires pulling the carbs, reworking them, reinstalling them, testing the results, pulling the carbs, reworking them, reinstalling them, testing the results, over and over and over. That's a difficult and messy process. With decent FI systems (and as I understand it most MC FI systems are decent) that can all be done with a box and a cable (assuming you already have a computer).

FI is also much more reliable, produces better power for the fuel burned, a smoother running engine, and so on.

Unless you have an engine that will spend most of its life at a fixed RPM/power (e.g. generator, airplane engine, boat engine) FI is a no brainer.

paul246 · #4 Post by **paul246** » Sat May 13, 2006 2:08 am

If you frequently travel through mountainous terrain fuel injection has the advantage when it comes to altitude changes. But, a CV carb does a pretty good job, too.

Cold starts are easier with fuel injection. However, the carb comes with a choke that will enable you to ride off just as quickly. Most people complain about "cold bloodedness" because they don't let the choke actually perform its function, they shut it off prematurely.

Some fuel injection set-ups can be abrupt, that is, there isn't the smooth transistion between minor throttle variances. Most have this tendency now "mapped out", but its still something to watch for.

Both require cleaning. The fuel injector pintels gradually become clogged with each shut-down and consequent heat soaking. This should be done with a proper cleaning kit, not with the "mechanic in a can". Carbs need cleaning, not from use so much but from long term storage. Proper storage habits will preclude this for a long time.

The carb will let you know when something is amiss. Gradual degradation in performance, a backfire or an odour from running rich will give you a chance to correct things. Even if the carbs are poorly set-up and out of sync the engine will, in most cases, continue to run. If a problem comes up with fuel injection (infrequent that it does) it will most likely happen suddenly and you will be sitting at the side of the road waiting for a recovery vehicle.

Personally, I would go either way and take the bike that appeals to me the most overall.

Sev · #5 Post by **Sev** » Sat May 13, 2006 2:28 am

I don't think either of them is a reason to go with or avoid a certain bike. It's sort of like final drives, chain vs belt vs shaft, if you truely like the bike you won't care about the extra work that goes with maintaining one over the other, or the little changes in the way it makes the bike handle.

Get the bike you want and forget about the rest, it's not going to be a HUGE difference.

scan · #6 Post by **scan** » Sat May 13, 2006 3:32 am

I agree with Sev, but voted for FI. If I had a choice, I'd pick FI first. I wouldn't pick one over another though based on that. FI is low maintanace and has the bike computer adjust for different conditions. A carb is fine most of the time though as long as it is used often and you are using a cleaning premium fuel. Carbs are more prone to gum up when stored and not properly drained and cleaned, so if period of long down times are likely, you might have an issue if you are lazy.

Myself002 · #7 Post by **Myself002** » Sat May 13, 2006 9:34 am

get the 2003 or later, not only for the fuel injection but also for the angular look

also the model changed again in 2004 just made it a bit shorter is all.

skoebl · #8 Post by **skoebl** » Sat May 13, 2006 10:09 am

Myself002 wrote:get the 2003 or later, not only for the fuel injection but also for the angular look also the model changed again in 2004 just made it a bit shorter is all.

Shorter length-wise or height-wise?

So I guess the general consensus is "just get the bike you like....buuut, get FI"

I guess my experience with car electronics going wrong on me (as well as me being dirt poor at the time), kind of fouls my view of EFI. But, then again, I don't like to put off something just 'cause of a couple, remote problems.

I actually haven't decided if I like the tube frame or the squarish frame better...I guess I'll just have to take a good hard look at both of them.

Myself002 · #9 Post by **Myself002** » Sat May 13, 2006 10:28 am

height wise the 2003 was a bit taller. The tailights on the 2003 + are much better than the big button on the ver 1

TechTMW · #10 Post by **TechTMW** » Sat May 13, 2006 10:34 am

paul246 wrote: However, the carb comes with a choke that will enable you to ride off just as quickly.

I'm working on a bike now (1996 Moto Guzzi) that has fuel injection AND a choke.

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