View Poll Results: Cost of ownership... Carb or EFI?
Carbureted (old school rules!)
15
50.00%
EFI (time marches on.)
10
33.33%
What are you smokin?
5
16.67%
Voters: 30. You may not vote on this poll
Long term cost of ownership... carb'd vs. EFI?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
Long term cost of ownership... carb'd vs. EFI?
I've been thinking about this everytime somebody with a FI bike starts comparing it to the Superhawk.
I can't help but think the first criticism is always that the Hawk is carbureted.
Is that really such a bad thing? I guess it's giving up some power somewhere on the curve, and burning a bit more fuel, but aside from that, what's the big deal? It seems that it's going to get harder and harder to own these FI bikes when they're 10+ years old and start losing aftermarket support. From the work I've done on carbed bikes so far, there doesn't seem to be much that can't be fixed.
Time marches on? I'm not quite so sure.
I can't help but think the first criticism is always that the Hawk is carbureted.
Is that really such a bad thing? I guess it's giving up some power somewhere on the curve, and burning a bit more fuel, but aside from that, what's the big deal? It seems that it's going to get harder and harder to own these FI bikes when they're 10+ years old and start losing aftermarket support. From the work I've done on carbed bikes so far, there doesn't seem to be much that can't be fixed.
Time marches on? I'm not quite so sure.
Last edited by CentralCoaster; Mar 3, 2009 at 09:43 PM.
Super Byrd
Superstock
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 356
From: Cumming, Ga
I like carbs they're easier to work on and you don't have to have a chip to reprogram the map. Even though EFI is nice cause it can adjust the air/fuel mixture to give you a clean running engine. EFI is really nice when you have a inductions system, easier to tune.
It just really depends on the vehicle, but for the hawk I'm happy with carbs.
It just really depends on the vehicle, but for the hawk I'm happy with carbs.
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,708
I'm voting for old faithful... carburetion. I'm not just saying that because I own a VTR... it IS the reason I own a VTR! I use to dream of a VTR with FI, but a few years of working on modern motorcycles with complex FI systems has really changed my tune. I think that the those gigantic carbs add a lot to the VTR's personality. For some bikes FI is great... can you imagine an RC51 without it???
<edit>
I should correct my statement... I wouldn't take any carburetion over fuel injection... just constant velocity carburetion.
</edit>
<edit>
I should correct my statement... I wouldn't take any carburetion over fuel injection... just constant velocity carburetion.
</edit>
Last edited by inderocker; Mar 4, 2009 at 09:11 PM.
Will drum for BBQ
Back Marker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 166
From: Kentucky
FI has some major advantages. I took the Hawk around the Smokies/Blue Ridge Parkway a few years back. The thing didn't want to run at high altitude. Wouldn't idle, coughed, lost power,etc. The 919 on the same roads didn't change it's mood at all. Altitude compensation is sweet on a FI bike.
You can pop intake/exhaust mods onto a FI bike and if you have a PCIII just load a different map and away you go. Much easier than trying to pull your tank and rejet or shim needles. You can also map across the spectrum, richer at low rpm and leaner up top for example, which you can't do with carbs.
Not that using a choke is a big deal, but I've never had to use the enricher on the 919. Just hit the starter button and it's running. JBAXX is right, on/off throttle transistions on FI bikes seems more abrupt than on a carb machine. Some are better than others. The 919 is not the best at it.
As far as cost IDK.
You can pop intake/exhaust mods onto a FI bike and if you have a PCIII just load a different map and away you go. Much easier than trying to pull your tank and rejet or shim needles. You can also map across the spectrum, richer at low rpm and leaner up top for example, which you can't do with carbs.
Not that using a choke is a big deal, but I've never had to use the enricher on the 919. Just hit the starter button and it's running. JBAXX is right, on/off throttle transistions on FI bikes seems more abrupt than on a carb machine. Some are better than others. The 919 is not the best at it.
As far as cost IDK.
Last edited by HondaJim; Mar 4, 2009 at 02:03 AM.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,547
From: Way Out West
I like carbs just fine. If you have tools, a brain and some time, you can spend $60-$80 on a jet kit and tune your bike as you wish. About a third or a quarter the cost of a Power Commander or equivalent.
The manufacturers didn't go to FI because it provides a massive performance advantage, they went with FI 'cause it's easier to meet EPA and Euro emission standards. That means the FI comes with lean/flat spots at the rpms where the compliance testing is done.
I've got nothing against FI. If you've got the money for the black box, the money and time for the dyno, you can probably map it and make the bike run as good and strong or better than it would with any carb set up. It just will cost you more.
As for elevation? My house is at 800 ft. I regularly ride at sea level and in the mountains at 7000 ft. or more. Runs fine through that entire range.
The manufacturers didn't go to FI because it provides a massive performance advantage, they went with FI 'cause it's easier to meet EPA and Euro emission standards. That means the FI comes with lean/flat spots at the rpms where the compliance testing is done.
I've got nothing against FI. If you've got the money for the black box, the money and time for the dyno, you can probably map it and make the bike run as good and strong or better than it would with any carb set up. It just will cost you more.
As for elevation? My house is at 800 ft. I regularly ride at sea level and in the mountains at 7000 ft. or more. Runs fine through that entire range.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 267
either one is ok by my. EFI gives you easy starting, smooth running regardless of elevation and air temp. carbs are finikey sometimes depending on where and what you have done to the bike. but they still give you great power and reliability
what i don't like about the new bikes is the emissions control they have on them. my dad has a 07 st1300 and the thing has catalytic converters on it. i know that a motorcycle does put out emissions after all it is still a internal combustion engine. but arn't the manufacturers getting a little carried away i thought the PAIR system was bad enough
what i don't like about the new bikes is the emissions control they have on them. my dad has a 07 st1300 and the thing has catalytic converters on it. i know that a motorcycle does put out emissions after all it is still a internal combustion engine. but arn't the manufacturers getting a little carried away i thought the PAIR system was bad enough
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MotoGP
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Posts: 2,708
Manufacturers would like nothing more than to never put emissions B.S. on any of their bikes. It's our government who demands it. Unfortunately, it doesn't go unwarrented... it's just a sign of the times. That is why the VTR is such a valuable bike to me. it's the last of it's kind emissions-wise. Just block of the pair system and you are good to go.
As for FI being better at elevation... it's really marginal. My '04 VFR800 ran like crap at 10k feet right along with my buddies Super Hawk. It can only compensate so much before it has to be remapped.
As for FI being better at elevation... it's really marginal. My '04 VFR800 ran like crap at 10k feet right along with my buddies Super Hawk. It can only compensate so much before it has to be remapped.
Thread Starter
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SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
The elevation of the blue ridge parkway can't be higher than that.
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MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,452
From: San Clemente, CA
Since carbs rely on a difference in air pressure to operate, they run richer as altitude increases. In the '70s up at Mammoth Lakes (8000') most cars had black smoke (rich) coming out the exhaust. Since the '90s you don't see that anymore.
EFI systems on cars have a much more elaborate sensor system than motorcycles such as: maniford absolute pressure (MAP) sensor, intake air temperature sensor, manifold air temperature sensor, mass air flow sensor, which allows for much more accurate monitoring of the air/fuel mixture. Therefore EFI can adjust to changes in altitude much better than carbs. It relies on fuel pump pressure, not atmospheric pressure, to supply fuel to the cylinders.
My understanding is that motorcycles have a much simpler EFI system due to space limitations.
My VTR runs better at idle and part throttle when above 3000' (no carb farts). That's with stock jetting and exhaust. This is because it's running lean at sea level for emission control. My wife's SV650S doesn't know the difference between sea level and altitude and starts right up regardless of air temp. And with EFI the pulseair system (PAIR) is not needed to pass emissions.
So my vote is for EFI if motorcycle manufacturers can improve it to the point that cars are at now.
EFI systems on cars have a much more elaborate sensor system than motorcycles such as: maniford absolute pressure (MAP) sensor, intake air temperature sensor, manifold air temperature sensor, mass air flow sensor, which allows for much more accurate monitoring of the air/fuel mixture. Therefore EFI can adjust to changes in altitude much better than carbs. It relies on fuel pump pressure, not atmospheric pressure, to supply fuel to the cylinders.
My understanding is that motorcycles have a much simpler EFI system due to space limitations.
My VTR runs better at idle and part throttle when above 3000' (no carb farts). That's with stock jetting and exhaust. This is because it's running lean at sea level for emission control. My wife's SV650S doesn't know the difference between sea level and altitude and starts right up regardless of air temp. And with EFI the pulseair system (PAIR) is not needed to pass emissions.
So my vote is for EFI if motorcycle manufacturers can improve it to the point that cars are at now.
Last edited by VTRsurfer; Mar 4, 2009 at 09:41 AM. Reason: add to post
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From: Toronto, Ontario
i'd much rather be able to plug in my laptop and tune the bike for new exhaust etc etc than having to rip the tank off (spill some gas), pull the airbox off, pull the carbs off...always a possibility of something or other messing up (stripped bolt, FOD falling into intake runners...etc etc), and having to do this several times before getting the tune right is DEFINITIVELY not attractive...
knowing that the bike is running 100% perfect only on the exact same temparature/altitude as when tuned is not cool IMO.
i like that EFI tunes for this, i like that u can alter the tune to whatever u want....and speaking of Cat converters, just like we remove PAIR, FI guys take them off too and put aftermarket pipes on....same deal.
knowing that the bike is running 100% perfect only on the exact same temparature/altitude as when tuned is not cool IMO.
i like that EFI tunes for this, i like that u can alter the tune to whatever u want....and speaking of Cat converters, just like we remove PAIR, FI guys take them off too and put aftermarket pipes on....same deal.
Sexual Daredevil
SuperSport
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 597
From: Mother Earth- orbiting around Charlotte, NC. But now over the border in S.C.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
The problem I see though is for every 1 revision that makes the bike more reliable, there's 10 more useless things they add that can fail and leave you broke, or broken down.
Remember stock is BAD!
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 760
From: Jacksonville FL
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,452
From: San Clemente, CA
Rarely a TPS or another sensor goes bad, but even the VTR has a TPS.
And if it's a Japanese car, the EFI system is pretty much bulletproof.
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Squid
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 99
Manufacturers would like nothing more than to never put emissions B.S. on any of their bikes. It's our government who demands it. Unfortunately, it doesn't go unwarrented... it's just a sign of the times. That is why the VTR is such a valuable bike to me. it's the last of it's kind emissions-wise. Just block of the pair system and you are good to go.
As for FI being better at elevation... it's really marginal. My '04 VFR800 ran like crap at 10k feet right along with my buddies Super Hawk. It can only compensate so much before it has to be remapped.
As for FI being better at elevation... it's really marginal. My '04 VFR800 ran like crap at 10k feet right along with my buddies Super Hawk. It can only compensate so much before it has to be remapped.
I bet a turbo or supercharger would have helped a lot.
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MotoGP
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Posts: 2,708
I drove up Pikes Peak in a rental Dodge Intrepid (FI, of course) and it had absolutely no power at all at those altitudes. Maybe 25-30 mph top speed going up with 4 average sized adults. I rented the car in Denver, so I don't know if it was a high altitude car or not.
I bet a turbo or supercharger would have helped a lot.
I bet a turbo or supercharger would have helped a lot.
Nothing does well at those elevations... except for airplanes! 
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