| Author | Message | ||
     Hughlysses |
Of particular interest to Buell owners, "Highest Tech Possible or Home Workshop Repairable?" http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2010/09/15/highe st-tech-possible-or-home-workshop-repairable/#comm ents I've thought about this stuff myself as far as keeping my Uly running for another ~20 years. | ||
| Glitch |
I've always liked simple things, it's one of the things I love about air cooled engines. Way back when the XBs were new, there were threads about the ECM and how that was the only thing keeping people going back to the dealership. That was quite a topic once upon a time. Now with Direct Link, ECMspy and the like, it's no big deal any longer. Don't care for all the Fly-By-Wire stuff. If things keep going the way they are, I'll be riding dirt bikes if I want a simple newish bike... | ||
| Xl1200r |
Fly by wire used to make me nervous. Then I realized that most cars are using the same system and they don't fail, and when they do it's less often than a throttle cable would. I owned an old 'simple' bike. Air-cooled, magneto, kick start, etc. I couldn't trust it to ride more than 20 miles away from my house without a backpack full of tools. I sold it to buy my S3T - something a little older but still modern enough to trust and use on a daily basis. I'd argue that least dependable bike on the market today is still more reliable than the best bike from 60 years ago. | ||
| Koz5150 |
Having a carb was the deciding factor on buying my 2002 M2 vs. the X1 or even the XB9R 8 years ago. No regrets then, no regrets now. Nothing I can't fix or understand on my bike. | ||
| Jaimec |
Xl1200r: +1000! | ||
| Xl1200r |
Koz - what about the carb is better? Granted, I understand that the X1 had some EFI troubles, but by 2002 I'm sure they were worked out, no? My S3's EFI has been spotless, never goes out of adjustment, never needs to be cleaned and I never assume it's the problem if the bike doesn't run correctly. I've owned a number of vehicles with both carbs and EFI, and the EFI wins every single time. | ||
| Koz5150 |
Call me in 20 years... If I don't answer it's because I am out riding my M2 not searching for a new EFI box for an S3. I had read enough articles on guys trying to remap this and tweak the system using stuff like ECM spy. Just not my cup of tea. I changed the exhaust and intake and do a quick rejet. If I want to "upgrade" I can pick up a Mukini (spelling?) for less the $300 and it's even easier to tune. 20 years from now, those carbs will still be easily had if I need one, try finding a Buell EFI box then. | ||
| Hootowl |
in 20 years you'll be able to get engine management computers in a box of cracker jacks. | ||
| Blake |
I'm with Koz. I have one of each type, 1997 Cyclone and a 2009 Uly. Both run well, but I still prefer a carbureted motorcycle. Simpler is better for me. Maybe when I can do a tune via iPhone on the Uly I'll change my mind.  | ||
| Hughlysses |
If I don't answer it's because I am out riding my M2 not searching for a new EFI box for an S3. Yea, but you've still got an ECM just like the rest of us to control ignition, advance, etc. To me the $1000 question is going to be 8 or 10 years from now when an ECM fries, will we be able to build one from scratch? IIRC somebody sliced one up and it's made up of off-the-shelf fairly common electronic parts. ECMspy will take care of getting a program on it. | ||
| Hootowl |
There are already aftermarket EFI boxes you can use on Buells. There's no magic here. A small calculator likely has just as much computing power. | ||
| Rich |
If I can't build one from scratch, someone will sell me one. IF I need one. Plus, in 20 years I'll be 80, so I hope I'm riding anything, FI or not. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I wish I had a fuel injection retrofit for my KDX-200 (two stroke dirt bike). After removing that carb and tweaking things maybe 50 times (literally) I did finally get it jetted pretty well... provided the temperature doesn't change too much, and provided I'm not at a significantly different altitude... | ||
| Jaimec |
Ten years, 158,000 miles on my 1985 K100... never a problem with the Fuel injection up till the bike was stolen in 1995. Eleven years and 144,000 miles on my 1999 K1200LT and no issues there either. Every single car I've owned since I've started driving has been fuel injected. Never a problem. It's a non-issue. | ||
| Jandj_davis |
I wouldn't own a bike with a carb now that I have used a bike with EFI. I love the reliability and ease of use. Fly-By-Wire though I can do without. I have it on my current car, and HATE the way my foot isn't really attached to the feed of gas. 50% pedal has the same response as 100% pedal. Of course, bike versions are likely more refined, since bikes are at such a high state of tune. Now, if we could just get more companies to put a belt drive on their bikes... | ||
| Hootowl |
"I HATE the way my foot isn't really attached to the feed of gas" Unless you're driving a diesel, all you're controlling is the throttle plate, which controls air, not fuel. Fuel is always controlled by the computer. In a drive by wire, it controls the throttle plate too. As always, I could be wrong. | ||
| Fast1075 |
My XB is the first fuel injected bike I have owned...and it DOES have fueling issues...not real bad...but they are there...I have managed to get the part throttle surging down to "ALMOST INVISIBLE"...but it is not butter smooth like I could tune my older carburetted bikes... | ||
| Froggy |
The biggest problem I have with my Blast is the carb. A few months ago, it wouldn't start. I couldn't tell you why. I spent 2 days going home and to my bike trying to swap parts and making phone calls till I figured out what was wrong. Last time my XB wouldn't start, I was able to figure out the issue in about 20 seconds on the side of the road 500 miles from home. Anyone know how hard it is to add DDFI to a Blast? (Message edited by Froggy on September 16, 2010) | ||
| F_skinner |
Froggy, it seems that I saw a Blast at Homecoming that is just what you are talking about. I cannot remember the young mans name (Loose1 maybe). I do not remember much (I'm old) but I did ride it. | ||
| Cataract2 |
What'd you think of it Frank? |
