Carburettors and fuel injectors both have the same job: delivering fuel to the engine. While fuel injectors are now the standard across motorcycle models, bikes with carbs are still available, and some riders swear by them. So is fuel injection better than a carburettor motorcycle, and is a carb bike still worth considering?
The oldest and simplest fuel system, carburettors were the standard on motorcycles for decades. In 1980, a new, more environmentally friendly approach, fuel injection, arrived on the scene. While carburettors mix fuel and air inside them before delivering it to the combustion chamber, fuel injectors spray fuel directly onto the engine. While a valve attached to the throttle controls the carburettor’s air intake, a fuel injector uses an electronic control unit (ECU) to deliver the perfect ratio of air and fuel.
If you’re trying to choose between a carb vs. fuel injection motorcycle, here’s the Taverner Motorsports guide to how these two fuel systems are different in important ways.
Performance: Carburettor vs Fuel Injection Motorcycle Engines
Fuel injection offers a faster, more precise throttle response and improved fuel efficiency, thanks to the electronic control unit (ECU). They’re also easier to start in cold weather than carburetted motorcycles, and the more accurately measured fuel-to-air ratio delivers improved acceleration. Fuel injectors are more capable of delivering power across all load and RPM ranges, which carburettors can struggle with.
Maintenance: The Ease and Complexity of Each System
Carburettors have more potential issues and require more frequent cleaning and maintenance than fuel injectors. Carburettors are also more sensitive to changes in temperature and air pressure, and may require more manual adjustments for optimal performance levels.
On the upside, carburettors are a lot easier to service than fuel injectors and are cheap to repair with basic tools.
Signs that your motorcycle’s carburettor needs cleaning include difficulty starting the engine, stalling or irregular idling, backfiring, loss of power and decreased fuel efficiency. It’s best to clean the carburettor without taking it off the motorcycle so that you don’t have to remove and re-fit the throttle and intake rubbers. Maintaining a carburettor motorbike is a relatively simple process for most garage mechanics, involving cleaning the jets and other internal components, as well as replacing any gaskets and seals that show signs of wear and tear. A good fuel system cleaner can prevent the build-up of dirt and varnish.
Is fuel injection better than carburettor motorcycles as far as maintenance goes? While fuel injectors are reliable systems that require less maintenance than carburettors, they still need to be cleaned at least every three years to maintain their performance. While a simple fuel tank cleaner can handle the most basic cleaning jobs, you may have to remove and clean each injector with specialised tools if they’re very dirty.
Customisation: Modding Carbureted and Fuel Injected Bikes
One of the areas in which a carburettor motorcycle is better than a fuel-injected motorcycle is in the area of modification. Carburettors are known for being easy and affordable to modify. Motorcycle carburettor tuning is the detailed process of adjusting the air-fuel mixture for optimal engine performance. The process of motorcycle carburettor tuning involves fine-tuning the mix for optimal idle speed, setting the float height and testing and fine-tuning as necessary. This kind of customisation improves the performance of your bike and keeps the engine healthy.
There are many ways to enhance your ride on a carb motorcycle. Aftermarket carb kits can deliver a weighty increase in power and performance. You can change carburettor sizes to one more appropriate for your riding style, such as a carburettor that improves your throttle response or delivers more top-end power.
Customising a fuel-injected bike involves making modifications to the ECU or using aftermarket engine control devices. Performance fuel injectors excel at increasing airflow to the engine, and an upgraded fuel pump enhances your motorcycle’s handling on a modified engine.
Due to involving detailed electrical components, including sensors, a fuel-injected bike is more complex to modify than a carbureted one. Unless you have sufficient mechanical and electrical skills to handle components like wiring, it’s best to leave modding a fuel-injection motorcycle to the professionals.
Fuel Efficiency: Which Is More Eco-Friendly?
This one’s a no-brainer. Once the only way to mix fuel and air in the right proportions, carburettors fell out of favour mainly because fuel injectors arrived on the motorbike scene with a more environmentally-friendly approach. Carburettors have a bowl where fuel sits, and the contents of that bowl evaporate. As they’re more precise, fuel injection systems burn less wasted fuel than carbs and, as a result, produce far fewer emissions.
Carb Vs Fuel Injection Motorcycle Cost: Upfront and Long-Term Expenses
Is fuel injection better than a carburettor motorcycle in terms of expenses? There are two factors to consider: motorcycle sale price and ongoing costs.
Carburettor motorcycles are older and simpler, making them more affordable. This can be particularly tempting for those on a budget. On the other hand, carb motorcycles use more fuel and often require more maintenance, which can add up over time. Carburettor motorcycles are more prone to issues like fuel leaks, and parts can wear out that aren’t cheap to replace.
Fuel-injected motorcycles are newer and more expensive upfront, but their reliability and improved fuel economy generally make them more cost-effective to run over time.
Which one is best for you: carb vs. fuel injection motorcycle? While a carburettor motorcycle is ideal for mechanically minded riders who prefer a classic riding experience and good throttle response, a fuel-injection motorcycle is ultimately easier for those who prioritise affordability and precision.
Get the Best for Your Motorcycle with Taverner Motorsports
Whether you prefer a carburettor or fuel injector motorcycle, you can find all the servicing, maintenance, repairs and restoration you need at Taverner Motorsports. The independent family business, helping Brisbane’s two-wheeled community since 1975, Taverner has serviced, repaired, and modified almost every motorcycle model we can think of. With an extensive network of parts suppliers worldwide, we can provide the same service for your motorcycle, regardless of its make, model, or age.
We have a passion for Harley-Davidson motorcycles and offer upgrades to enhance their performance, including turbocharger kits, supercharger kits, and engine modifications such as performance cylinder head/manifold work, engine balancing, custom pistons, and clutch upgrades.
We’re your one-stop shop for routine motorcycle servicing and maintenance, and our skilled technicians provide both major and minor servicing. We can perform every service necessary to keep your motorbike running safely and smoothly, including oil and filter changes, as well as inspecting the suspension, brakes, and chains.
Taverner is also your motorcycle restoration expert with a passion for restoring motorcycles back to their former glory. With unrivalled expertise and knowledge of classic motorcycle types, we can carry out a wide range of mechanical services from basic repairs to full-scale engine rebuilds. On top of our mechanical knowledge, we can source hard-to-find parts for more authentic rebuilds and restorations.
No matter what you ride, the Taverner team are on hand to help you with any enquiries. Contact us and request a quote.