Considering a sporty 1200, but I am having thoughts on F.I. vs. Carb.
I figure a good carb person in 10 years will be hard to come by, unless I learn to "be that person". It doesn't scare me off, but whats my pros and cons of carb vs F.I. ? Do injectors break after so many miles ? what will be pricier now and in the future for a fix and mod on the bike ? Just something to consider.... Thanx

 

nonsense about finding a good carb person to work on your bike. working on a carb is not rocket science. Pretty simple stuff.

 

Modding FI will always be MUCH more expensive and so will be working on it. Yes, injectors clog over time, but if you don't clean a carb the jets can clog as well. You get more flexibility with FI, but changes and repairs = $$$$$$$$$$$.

 

I had never torn into a carb before, and I was the same way, but I got a screaming deal on my 93, that had sat for a couple years. The previous posters are right, carb work is not rocket science, if you can remember how it came apart, you can put it back together and the tune work is just trying different size pilot and main jets.

 

Thanks...

One more thing.... will one run faster andstronger than the other ?

 

My 2 cents. Fuel injection is easier on drivability (no cold start issues, off idle stumbles, etc). But if you want to open it up with Stage 1 kits, etc., figure on spending 2 - 3 times as much. Remember all FI engines need to be dyno'd and re-calibrated after all mods. If I had a cruiser that I was going to keep stock and just enjoy, I would go with the FI. But if you are going to play with it, on a limited budget, carb is better. Just ask the local harley groups, or at rallies, about trusted carb tuners; if working on them bothers you. Pretty simple to figure out though.

 

I don't think there would be much difference in speed or power if carb was tuned properly.

 

If you want the old Harley Chug,Chug. Get the carbed. If you want to start up and ride away, get the EFI.

 

Amen to that. If I had the choice at the time it wouldhave beenEFI. It may be more expensive to do upgrades, but the upgrades will be precise. Not a guessing game like rejetting. Watching a remap on a dyno machine was very impressive. Total performance perfection in all the power bands. There is no way a carb can mix air and fuel as precise as a computer and injector.

 

Remember all FI engines need to be dyno'd and re-calibrated after all mods.


Not So if you bought the right EFI.

As for the chug chug, Mine sounds like any harley I've heard, But then again, I can adjust my idle with a few clicks of my mouse.[sm=biker2.gif]