- This topic has 3 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 8 months ago by Jeff in Kentucky.
Who makes a Fuel Injected “Standard?”
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August 14, 2010 at 6:36 am #4170mtbjayParticipant
Looking for a starter bike for my wife (5’9″). We’ll know more about her tastes in a week when she’s completed the training/safety course. For now – I am looking for recently made FUEL INJECTED bikes.
-Ninja 250 – not so much. (Maybe she’ll change her mind on that…)
– Hornet 599 (rare) but still in the running
– Suzuki TU250 (even more rare, used)What else is there?
I know she likes rider position of the “standards” and cruisers. The little cruisers though (HONDA REBEL, SUZUKI GZ250) I think she’ll find too small, cramped and underpowered. I liked the 599Hornet I test rode for her. The SUZUKI GS500F was nice too, but the manual choke really worries me. I’ve had some bad experiences with cars w/manual choke (Grandpa’s Honda Accord) and wouldn’t want to see her unable to start her finicky bike, get all frustrated and stuff, then not want to ride it. Ya dig?
I am keeping my search to newer model years (< 5 years old, < 10,000 miles) for reliability concerns. Any suggestions? Oh, sub $3K. Preferably $2,500 or less. J
August 14, 2010 at 6:52 am #28070eternal05ParticipantIf you’re worried about fuel injection because of a bad experience with an old car with carburetors, that may not be the best grounds for deciding what motorcycle to buy. Any bike built in the last five to ten years, fuel injected or not, should start up fine if properly maintained.
That said, if you’re die hard for fuel injection, finding a bike that’s cheap, has a low seat height, and is otherwise a good beginner bike is easy. Just use the handy spreadsheet I made a while back.
The truth is there’s not too much out there if you’re in the US. Outside of the US you will have much better luck, both with fuel injection (for environmental reasons) and with smaller/more-beginner-friendly bikes (for intelligence reasons). From what I can see, you’re stuck with any Kawasaki that uses the 650R powerplant (the Ninja 650R, ER-6n, and Versys), as well as Suzuki’s 650s (SV650, Gladius, V-Strom 650, and GSX650F). I personally think you’d be much better off considering smaller (both in weight and engine displacement) carbureted bikes, especially if your wife is 5’9″ and you want to stick to that budget, but that’s your call.
August 14, 2010 at 2:40 pm #28073WeaponZeroParticipantHonda 599 and Ninja 250 aren’t fuel injected. The only fuel injected 250cc bikes on the market are the Hyosungs (which are a risky buy), Yamaha WR250X, and Suzuki TU250.
That being said, pretty much any bike OVER 500ccs made in recent years is always fuel injected.
Every bike I’ve ever ridden was carbureted and at least 8 years old. Never had any problems starting. I think you’re making a mountain out of a mole hill here in the way you’re allowing yourself to become scared by carburetors.
EDIT: Saw the price range. Sub-3k, fuel injected, the only thing you might find that is fuel injected and falls under that price range is a used TU250 or a used Suzuki SV650. and even that’s a stretch. fuel injection is relatively new technology in motorcycles that, up until about 5-6 years ago, was a feature only found on high-end bikes. given your price range you might be barking up the wrong tree in fuel injected bikes. but really carbs arent a problem at all.
August 14, 2010 at 4:56 pm #28075Jeff in KentuckyParticipantCarbs are easier to adjust if you change the intake and exhaust, but they do get dirty easily, especially with improper winter storage. I suggest an aftermarket fuel filter that is better than the stock filter, and adding some Sea Foam to the gas every winter to help keep the carb or carbs clean. Also, keep the fuel valve on during storage, so as fuel evaporates from the carbs, more fuel enters the float bowls and prevents a gummy mess in the carbs.
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