carburetor or fuel injected

B-1B_Guy

+1 here for the TFI. For all the reasons listed above and you never need to worry about altitude changes. I go from 3K to 10K+ feet in a day and never need to worry about jetting.

The4opps1

I have to go along with the FI guys, also. Yes there are sensors up the wazoo....Yes the "computers" that the FI units utilize can be intimidating. Yes, carbs are simpler...if they're running right. Can't tell you how long it took me to learn how to tune and trouble shoot the 3x2 barrel Holleys that are on my old Galaxie. Modern FI units are pretty reliable and trouble free. Much better than carbs IMO....

NEWHD74FAN

Well I am biased and like carbs, but for all the reasons TQ stated. Being new to the V-Twin scene, just at 2 1/2 years, I find I am still a very happy HD Sportster rider with carburetor fueling. Have no problem with cold starting, and fueling is spot on.

Like Chop says, EFI is the wave of the future and is very good once setup properly...just takes more savvy, experience and $$$'s...! One need only look at all cages that are EFI equipped, to see it is pretty much standard fare and all the nits are worked out.

EFI obviously works, but is still fairly new to motorcycles although even OFF ROAD DIRT BIKES have gone to EFI and Disc Brakes, once the old timers got over the fact that new tech is not too FRAGILE in the rough and tumble world if done right.

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Delmar

My first Harley was a carbed 2003 Sport and I never had a single issue with it. Never popped back and routinely got 50MPG. Yes it was cold blooded when starting, but as long as you weren’t stingy with the choke it ran like a champ. It would even pull the choke back in on its own when it warmed and you got into the throttle.

The Sports replacement is the 2001 Road King with MM injection. It too runs like a champ and gets 40-42MPG, however I feel intimidated that I won’t be able to figure it out should something go wrong. If it ever develops a fatal tuning problem I will likely replace with a carb. I don’t have a need to squeeze out every last horsepower, I just like simple and reliable. Yes I’m a dinosaur and proud of it.

Charlies Harley

Sure didn't mean to stir up a hornets nest here just let me shed a little light on were I am coming from. I am 57 years old, been pulling wrenches since 1974, 35 going on 36 years, its not fun anymore, I bought this thing to ride.

Hobbit

you didnt stir nothing up the OP asked which was best for him as a novice to learn maintenance and servicing

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fwcole

They both have advantages, but fi is the better for performance and efficiency.

kicker

Everyone has a good side to what is the way to go. 883 to 1200 the 12 is the way to go. If DIY is your go than the carb is you. I wrenched at shops for some time and the FI is the better runner of the two but my old man turned me on to the love of old technology. It always seems to be honest. Or it is just my pull to the old ways.

Jack Klarich

Carbs on a project chopper or restore

ron1978

i've had both carbed and efi, i'd go with the efi any day, out matches my carbed bike 10 to 1., most of it is starting , its starts so quick with efi.

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2005 RoadKing Classic / Touring Package, all the trimming, tons of chrome. stage 1/ vance & hines Duals