[AnthraxBird]

Let me tell you, it feels great to tune your bike throughout the RPM range, rather than have a computer try and do it for you.. But FI Bikes require less winterization.

 

[heisti]

...Lazy @ss mofo's then Fi is yours but get a degree in electronics to help with the inevitable break downs In a few years a similar argument maybe ... manual gearbox or auto ....... :shudder:

in a few years? my car is the same year like my bike: 1997... but you have no idea how many computers are hiding in an old mercedes and every single one of them is causing troubles. for example: one computer isn´t sure about the temperature of some shitty suspension damper and that is causing the computer of the transmission to slow the car down to 60km/h :rant: - modern technology? no thanks! if there are no carbs on the road one day i´ll ride the trans rapid

 

[bullet]

I can ensure you that both ways can let you down and find your self swearing on the road side for couple of hours...

 

[11276]

I was under the impression that FI has at least 2 benefits over Carbs, interesting that no one mentions them:
a. better fuel mileage
b. cleaner exhaust

Am I just another victim of false information on the web? Of course I am not talking about a 1-to-1 comparision, after all those statistics are ww averages, so let's not compare "my bike is better tuned" but rather try to stay on the theory and less on the implementation...

btw, sorry Duck, just can't get used to the idea of comparing my red devil to a supermodel - I might need some more time to get used to her

 

[bullet]

a. better fuel mileage
b. cleaner exhaust

In theory a 10-12 % better mileage
on the road it varies a lot ..mostly weather dependent...
The best mileage i could get was when i used the PC III...leaned 2% lows-mids and leave 7000 and above untouched..got 40 50 kms more..
As for the exhausts emissions yes assuming you keep all the original systems intact and in mint condition..
I believe that an experienced hand and keeping the revs in torque range can distinguish the difference

 

[TheDuck]

btw, sorry Duck, just can't get used to the idea of comparing my red devil to a supermodel - I might need some more time to get used to her

.... and there I was thinking I was making it so easy! Come to think about it I had better not mention that I have been taking 'leg measurements' today

 

[11276]

In theory a 10-12 % better mileage on the road it varies a lot...

That's no small percentage! In a long weekend trip when I tank 5 times that already sums up to noticeable savings!

As for the exhausts emissions yes assuming you keep all the original systems intact and in mint condition..

Those are always checked on the yearly test, since emission control is such a high priority topic nowadays... and still not globally controlled, meaning different countries have different regulations (e.g. CA vs TX)

I believe that an experienced hand and keeping the revs in torque range can distinguish the difference

Of course keeping yourself below 7000rpm will keep your emissions to a low level, but honestly how often does that happen ;-) Besides, not everyone has an "experienced hand", and as such rely on technology to control those things.

Another thing (as a difference between Carb and FI), is that the Carb models have more raw HP power, which might result in higher insurance costs (depending on how the rate is calculated between engine CC and HP)...

 

[Bach]

Looking at my Haynes manual - Carb 144.6 hp (rear wheel) 85 lbf ft :
FI - 144.6 hp, 85 lbf ft


Carb 39 mpg, 190 miles per tank
FI 36 mpg, 190 miles per tank (bigger tank)


Carb 10.6 seconds, 134.7 mph (quarter mile)
FI 10.3 seconds 136 mph

Carb 177 mph
FI 180 mph

These figures apparently came from MCN tests. If these small differences matter to you, you should probably buy a Harley LOL. Only thing that needs to be answered is the reliability question. Although I am most certainly not an expert on this question, it seems from reading the forums that Birds have problems with charging systems and cam chain tensioners equally more than anything else. Parts might be easier to get for FI birds because they were manufactured for a longer time. (?) Good luck

 

[bullet]

Of course keeping yourself below 7000rpm will keep your emissions to a low level, but honestly how often does that happen ;-) Besides, not everyone has an "experienced hand", and as such rely on technology to control those things.

Another thing (as a difference between Carb and FI), is that the Carb models have more raw HP power, which might result in higher insurance costs (depending on how the rate is calculated between engine CC and HP)...

Running the bird on 6000-6500 on last gear gives me 160 km of speed ..more than enough for touring and being loaded with luggage..once there all i have to to is keep steady throttle under 30%..and the rest belongs to the O2 sensor...

The carbed birds have slightly different distribution of power due to the different cam lobe lifts and different ignition timing..the honda press kit gives bigger volume for the Fi bird tank but carbed birds lack of internal fuel pump and filter

 

[keith]

carb is king

 

[11276]

and the rest belongs to the O2 sensor...

Just wondering, do all FI models have O2 sensors?

 

[heisti]

i think so. how would the cpu otherwise know how much o2 comes in?

 

[11276]

for our birds maybe, but my "other bike" is also FI but has NO O2 sensors (and it's a 2005 model!)

 

[heisti]

hm...

 

[Shewie]

No O2 sensor on mine. No cat either.

 

[heisti]

oem?

 

[Shewie]

As far as I know the only North American birds with that stuff are the California spec ones. The rest are running open loop.

 

[TheDuck]

As far as I know the only North American birds with that stuff are the California spec ones. The rest are running open loop.

Yep I've never read/seen anything different. UK (as always) was a bit different, 99-2001 no CAT, O2 sensor etc etc change over at digi dash change over model ............ this issue is also probably tied in with the change of the temp sensor position i.e taking it off the rad. IMHO the easiest way to tell what is/should be there is to look for the larger dia exhaust (as it enters the cans) that tells you it has a CAT and O2 sensor.

 

[Ghazzah]

Carbs are old school and rule! The carbs on the Bird are a very advanced piece of kit. Honda did a fantastic job here. Oh, and black is the fastest colour ... and Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs are the best tires.... opcorn:

 

[heisti]

and what oil?