Fuel Injection vs Carburetor: Which is Best for Your Motorcycle?
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Carburetor vs fuel injection: Pros and Cons

The fuel injection system is not a new invention, despite this, disputes between bikers do not cease as to what is better to choose: carburetor vs fuel injection? Studying the material on the subject, we made a number of interesting conclusions, which we hasten to share with you, dear readers. In the article, we will analyze the specifics of different mechanisms of fuel supply to the motorcycle, what pros and cons both systems have, which is better to choose in each case.

Fuel injection vs carburetor.

Carburetor: pros and cons

Carburetor motorcycle.

Until the 80s of the last century, motorcycles were produced exclusively with a carburetor fuel injection system. This is a familiar technology, providing for the manufacture of a warm-air mixture in the combustion chamber and regulation of its supply to the engine with the help of flaps, diffusers, and valves. The principle of operation of the carburetor is quite simple, even though it consists of many moving and flowing elements that need periodic adjustment.

Advantages of carburetor

  • Independence. The carburetor is a separate mechanism that operates independently of the electrical equipment.
  • Price. Carburetor-powered motorcycles usually have a lower price than modern injector ones. Although, this is a moot point, as much of this parameter depends on the number of cylinders. While single-cylinder bikes are surely cheaper, as the number of cylinders increases, the price difference becomes less noticeable.
  • Repairs. The carburetor has no complex electronic systems, almost any motorcyclist has enough technical skills, and a screwdriver to remove it in case of malfunction, adjust, purge, clean, thereby returning to operation.
  • Maintenance. There is practically nothing to break in the carburetor, in case of failure of components they are easy to replace, they cost inexpensive.
  • Demanding to fuel. Practically painless approach to the choice of fuel, you can use gasoline with a small octane number.

Disadvantages of the carburetor

  • Low efficiency. The carburetor is unable to maintain the optimum composition of the fuel mixture in different modes of operation.
  • Low reliability. Periodically requires repair or adjustment, since it has many wearing and moving parts, for example, spring locking needles, membranes, seals, jets.
  • Eco-friendliness. Even modern carburetors do not meet modern environmental safety standards.
  • Sensitivity to external temperature. Sensitive: at high temperatures, they get very hot, and at low temperatures, they freeze.

Fuel injection: pros and cons

Fuel Injection motorcycle.

Fuel injection - a mechanism that feeds fuel into the combustion chamber of a motorcycle. Its main difference from the carburetor is the very way of feeding the fuel mixture. While in the carburetor, the fuel is sort of sucked into the cylinder when there is a pressure difference, in the injector, fuel is injected into the combustion chamber from the nozzles. The fuel injection is a solenoid valve that opens when the current is applied.

Motorcycles equipped with an fuel injection engine have onboard computers that allow them to monitor a huge number of sensors, detecting deviations from the norm and adjusting the fuel mixture process independently. It is an automatic system that needs no adjustment or intervention from the outside.

Advantages of fuel injection

  • Economical fuel consumption.
  • Maintenance. No need for constant adjustment and tuning.
  • High reliability. Rarely breaks, doesn't need a planned repair.
  • Eco-friendliness. Due to the fact that the combustible mixture is completely burned, the emission of toxic substances into the atmosphere is reduced by 50-70%.
  • Efficiency is 5-10% higher than that of a carburetor.
  • Sensitivity to the external environment. Does not react to temperature fluctuations, does not need prolonged heating or cooling.

Disadvantages of fuel injection

  • Dependence on electrical equipment. Even if one wire falls off, the engine won't start, you'll need the help of a specialist.
  • Price. The cost is higher, but given all the advantages, the investment pays off over time.
  • Maintenance. Diagnosis and adjustment of the injector are impossible without special equipment.
  • Sensitivity to the fuel mixture. Low-octane fuel is not suitable for the injector.
  • Repair. In case of failure of components, the repair will cost quite a lot.

What's better for a motorcycle - carburetor or fuel injection?

Motorcycles with fuel injection and carburetor fuel systems continue to coexist, each in its own niche. Carburetor models can still be found on low-end single-cylinder scooters and small-cube motorcycles. They are often chosen for affordability reasons.

Fuel injection have long and confidently replaced carburetor engines. They are more efficient and fuel-efficient. While the first fuel injection systems, manufactured back in the 80s, often broke down, on modern motorcycles fuel injection are practically eternal.

Fuel injection VS carburetor motorcycle: what to choose?

Having analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of different fuel supply systems, we can conclude that the key parameter for choosing between these mechanisms will be the specifics of motorcycle operation. If you live in the city, care about the environment, do not have extra time and a special place to adjust and adjust the fuel system, are used to comfort - give preference to the fuel injection.