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FI vs carb motorcycles.

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T2urtle

T2urtle

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aside from tunning. lets all assume the bike remains stock maybe a slip on exhaust. i dont see a disadvantage of having a fuel injected bike.

everyone says carbs are easier to tune, maybe get better mileage.

I'm thinking since i'm in the midwest, bike only gets ridden 4-5 months tops. Then the bike sits in storage. Common sense would be to target FI bikes rather then carburetors. Injectors rarely get clogged up. overall less maintence, i dont need to remember to use the choke on start ups. I dont need to clean,sync, rebuild. isn't a FI bike almost maintence free?

what year did the SV650 go to FI? i know 2nd gen sv650 are all FI. Most sport 600's made the switch by 03. zx6r,cbr,gsx-r.
 
You are correct sir. And the SV went FI in 2003 (2nd Gen) all prior model years were carb'd.

I've owned mine for 3 years now and 15,000 miles. Coming from a bike with carbs and a choke it was like, "why aren't all motorcycles fuel injected?" Hell, even some of the Harleys are fuel injected now. My bike has always started right up warm or cold with no problems at all to speak of.

I have a slip on pipe on my bike and didn't do anything to it. I get a little popping under decel sometimes but it sounds pretty cool IMO. You can get a power commander to adjust the mixture if you want but it isn't going to really do much other than part you from another couple hundred bucks. It would be worthwhile with a full aftermarket exhaust but not with a slip on.

Check out svrider.com if you're thinking about getting an SV. Lots of great advice over there and it is a very active forum.
 
i have a co-worker who offered me his 89 ninja zx600 for dirt cheap, but it leaking at the carbs. since its my first bike, i thought to myself should i just get that ninja since its dirt cheap and learn for the season or two and then move up to a FI bike like a SV650 or one of the 600r's

I think it makes more sense to me and my pocket. i really do like the SV650, and Bandit look. gives me more of a woody then a zx6r
 
i can't see how carbs are better on any engine. my friend does love constantly screwing with all 4 carbs on his ancient yamaha, tho. FI has been an option on harleys for years, maybe not all models, idk.
 
T2urtle said:
i have a co-worker who offered me his 89 ninja zx600 for dirt cheap, but it leaking at the carbs. since its my first bike, i thought to myself should i just get that ninja since its dirt cheap and learn for the season or two and then move up to a FI bike like a SV650 or one of the 600r's

I think it makes more sense to me and my pocket. i really do like the SV650, and Bandit look. gives me more of a woody then a zx6r
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That '89 could be a decent bike...or it could be a nightmare. I wouldn't even ride it if it is leaking gasoline at the carbs. Sounds like a nightmare.
 
Leaking gas on a carb is almost always a float issue. Be it a worn float needle, debris in or around the seat, o-ring, float level itself, etc. A rebuild kit should solve the problem if it's not cleaning or adjustment related.

Only real positive to a carb for me is my ability to work on them without dropping $$$ on a device to remap.
 
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see my thoughts are... most cars went FI in about 93. i think some corollas and etc were still carb then but for sure by 96 when OBD2 came out. Wouldn't the same idea be for bike engines as well? I always thought maybe there was a huge plus as to why some bikes are still carbed. Maybe its just cheaper.

that 89 only started leaking this year. I'm going to see how i fit on it and then if i like it, tell him to get the that leak fix and it will be mines. Me and him probaly split the cost, he told me the shop he takes it to wants $300 for carb clean/sync/ rebuild. Works for me easily. Since final cost is still dirt cheap.

I almost jumped on a $1800 SV650 that needed a carb cleaning but there was more issues then i wanted. The ninja will cost me about 1/2 of that. But its never been laid down and i was told it is MINT.

sucks i cant find a lively forum with ZX600 owners. kawi forums are just mainly zx6R/RR guys, no one has the old school stuff.
 
T2urtle said:
see my thoughts are... most cars went FI in about 93. i think some corollas and etc were still carb then but for sure by 96 when OBD2 came out. Wouldn't the same idea be for bike engines as well? I always thought maybe there was a huge plus as to why some bikes are still carbed. Maybe its just cheaper.

that 89 only started leaking this year. I'm going to see how i fit on it and then if i like it, tell him to get the that leak fix and it will be mines. Me and him probaly split the cost, he told me the shop he takes it to wants $300 for carb clean/sync/ rebuild. Works for me easily. Since final cost is still dirt cheap.

I almost jumped on a $1800 SV650 that needed a carb cleaning but there was more issues then i wanted. The ninja will cost me about 1/2 of that. But its never been laid down and i was told it is MINT.

sucks i cant find a lively forum with ZX600 owners. kawi forums are just mainly zx6R/RR guys, no one has the old school stuff.
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Yeah, you can tell by looking at a bike if it's a basket case or not. Look for leaking fluids, rash on the engine casings, rash on the plastics, rust, oil weeping out between the cylinder head and the block (or anywhere for that matter). Check the tires for cracks and wear, check the brakes to make sure they work well, check the battery, check the chain and sprockets for wear, start the bike up and see how it runs.

I'd have a shop go through it before riding it if you don't know what you're doing. It's your neck on the line if something breaks. Well worth having it checked out even after you buy it. Hell, I'd do that with any used bike.
 
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