[trimbled]

Hey I am a brand new rider (taking my course this weekend) and I am looking at what bike to get. One question is if I will be riding alot at different altitudes (Sierra Mountains), is it better to get a fuel injected bike than a carb?

[eternal05]

…despite what Gary says, a modern bike with electronic fuel injection will handle changes in ambient temperature and pressure much better than a carburetor will. Adjusting to different environments is precisely where FI has advantages over carbs.

[Gary856]

Bikes w/ FI have a slightly more modern, sterile feel; bikes w/ carbs have a slightly retro, elemental and mechanical feel. Each has it’s appeals. In fact, I’m beginning to think – wouldn’t it be fun to have a bike with a kick starter?

There are a lot of great bikes that use carbs, and how a bike performs and appeals to me overall is much more important than the FI vs carb thing.

[JackTrade]

Re kickstarters, I sometimes think the same thing. If you’re gonna have carbs, why not go full-on retro? That said, electronic starting makes for one less thing to worry about when my bike dies on me at a busy intersection…

In flat track racing, the bikes (often HD XR750s) often have kickstarters.

It’s quite a scene when a rider goes down, but (frequently) is able to contiue quickly: a couple of guys from his pit crew race out to help him get the bike up and they all start pushing it as fast as possible. Rider then jumps on the bike, simultaneously hitting the starter on his way down onto the saddle.

When it works, it’s pretty cool how fast they’re able to get underway again; when it doesn’t, it’s funny to watch the frantic pumping of the starter as the bike gradually slows to a stop and falls over again.

[BouncingRadical]

If you are changing altitude alot, I would go with Fuel Injection hands down. With a crab you would be rejetting constantly or running a ‘happy medium’ jetting where you can run not to lean down low and not to rich up high. I had a buddy go up some Colorado mountains and barely making it up some mountains due to his jetting.

I’m with Elwood all the way.

[eon]

You have crabs?

[BouncingRadical]

I got some special shampoo and I tiny comb, so no. Not anymore, at least.

[Author]

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