If you could

[yogidozer]

Given a choice to buy a brand new MG with the options of.....
Fuel injection & computer (wi-fi and Starbucks locator as an option)
Or
Carbs. and point ignition.
Which would you choose?

[fossil]

Of course, the modern one, albeit I am not interested in Starbucks.

[yogidozer]

Of course, the modern one, albeit I am not interested in Starbucks.

That's what the wi-fi is for.. When your bike dies, and you can't fix it on the spot, use the wi-fi to locate the nearest coffee hole, til the wrecker gets there. 🤣

[arveno]

I am a dinosaur...
So you already know the answer 

Actually I would choose carbs and elec. ignition.

Regarding coffee I prefer Gas station coffee ah ah

[Joliet Jim]

Since it's been around for 20 years in Guzzis, I'll take the fuel injection and coffee black leftover in the coffee cup from yesterday.

[JJ]

Given a choice to buy a brand new MG with the options of.....
Fuel injection & computer (wi-fi and Starbucks locator as an option)
Or
Carbs. and point ignition.
Which would you choose?

The *new* V85TT (...hold the Wi-Fi and Starbucks locator, please!)





NOTE:  ...and I will keep my 20-year old '98 Centauro GT

[larrys]

Have made my choice. Carbs and electronic ignition. Yep, I'm a dinosaur, too. I understand carburetors, I don't know anything about motorcycle fuel injection systems.
Larry

[jas67]

Definitely fuel injection.

I'm likely to be very tempted by the more road-oriented sport model of the V85 when it comes out.

[guzzisteve]

Carbs & points, It'll be the only thing running after the large sunburst happens.

[yogidozer]

I am a dinosaur...
So you already know the answer 

Actually I would choose carbs and elec. ignition.

Regarding coffee I prefer Gas station coffee ah ah

I'm with ya on that!

[Ncdan]

No computer in my bike!!!!

[usedtobefast]

Can we have carbs and electronic (no points) ignition?      I might go that route ... eliminate a lot of sensors that can fail, and I don't have to go back to filing points.   

I really don't like the new trend of throwing more and more electronics on a bike.  ABS is kind of nice though.  Traction control I can see if your bike makes 130+ HP. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

I 've already made that choice. The Mighty Scura has simple electronics, no stupid "immonilizer" antenna and all hat other crap to fail. It's as reliable as a hammer.

[SmithSwede]

Another “what if” question.   Could we make points and carbs be better than they used to be with modern technology?

For example, we now routinely make spark plugs with exotic metals that resist electrostatic erosion much better.  What if we made points out of that metal so they lasted 100,000 miles. 

Maybe precision CNC machines, and improved gasket materials, could create better carbs. 

[oldbike54]

 Is it acceptable to like both old a new tech ? After all , old tech was once new , and what we consider new tech will become old .

 Dusty

[yogidozer]

Is it acceptable to like both old a new tech ? After all , old tech was once new , and what we consider new tech will become old .

 Dusty

Look at all the post with FI or computer problems. Nuff said. 

[Moto]

My preference is fuel injection and ECU that have no functional connections to the dash or the ignition switch. If the bike can be started when the dashboard/instruments are removed and the ignition switch is hotwired, I'm satisfied. (My Italjet qualifies, but not my Griso.)

Moto

[oldbike54]

Look at all the post with FI or computer problems. Nuff said. 

or

 It isn't like we don't hear about carburetors giving people fits , or failing condensors , or issues getting an old bike (pun intended) timed correctly .

 Dusty

[wirespokes]

Points can last a very long time when they're passing micro amps with the use of an amplifier. Still, if you're going to go with electronic ignition, why not eliminate the points entirely?

I'm not a fan of computers and electronics on bikes, so guess my answer. Nice when it works, but can leave you dead in the water with a long wait for an expensive tow and a longer wait at the shop. I'd rather have something I can fix myself.

And all those electronics that 'help' make for a better ride? No thanks. I'd rather keep track of my gas with a trip meter and petcocks with reserve handles, rather than a low fuel warning light. I like interacting with my bike - things like the special procedure firing it up when it's cold, making sure the side stand is up, paying attention to traction and all those other things a rider needs to do.

Yeah, 70s and 80s technology was once new, but that's not really the argument - it's rider interaction and whether the new technology is actually necessary. Does it really enhance the experience? If we could legally ride 150 mph, then maybe it would all be necessary - ABS, traction control, engine management and all the rest. But at half that speed, the old tech and simpler machines do just fine at a fraction of the cost and only slightly more maintenance. I've heard too many horror stories of newer bikes with extremely difficult issues to repair or diagnose even with the shop's computer. No thanks, I prefer simple.

[yogidozer]

or

 It isn't like we don't hear about carburetors giving people fits , or failing condensors , or issues getting an old bike (pun intended) timed correctly .

 Dusty

Yeah, those are serious problems.

[yogidozer]

Spare points and condensers take up a TON of room in the saddle bags, don't they? 

[oldbike54]

 While the old Jackal isn't *new* tech by any stretch , it is injected and computer controlled and other than a broken wire hasn't failed to run in 150K miles . Seriously , I don't really miss sticking floats filling a crankcase full of gasoline , or fiddling with a 6 CA dual points system on a 1968 Triumph , or the ridiculous old BMW design where the points are behind the points cam/bob weight assembly . Remember those ? The experience of owning an old motorbike is wonderful in short bursts , everyone should own a loop , or a vintage BSA , but the idea they are somehow simpler is silly , ever tried to keep all of the spacers required to assemble a 60's Triumph rear wheel in their correct order ?

 Dusty

[yogidozer]

I had the best dad in the world, followed him around everywhere, never needed to ask me to help.
Dig a ditch, mow the lawn, go fly fishing, I was happy to be with him.
I sat on the fender of his 50's Chevy pick up, learning to set valves.
I could change points/condensers before I started school.
I'm no smarter than average, anyone can install points.
Same deal cleaning a carb. Goes back together the same way you took it apart.

[Lannis]

I 've already made that choice.

Come to that, every single ONE of us has already made that choice!

[oldbike54]

I had the best dad in the world, followed him around everywhere, never needed to ask me to help.
Dig a ditch, mow the lawn, go fly fishing, I was happy to be with him.
I sat on the fender of his 50's Chevy pick up, learning to set valves.
I could change points/condensers before I started school.
I'm no smarter than average, anyone can install points.
Same deal cleaning a carb. Goes back together the same way you took it apart.

 Sure that carb goes back together just like it came apart , but I have witnessed some very intelligent folks not manage to accomplish that feat 

 Dusty

[yogidozer]

Sure that carb goes back together just like it came apart , but I have witnessed some very intelligent folks not manage to accomplish that feat 

 Dusty

And just who told you they were intelligent? 

[twowheeladdict]

Of course, the modern one, albeit I am not interested in Starbucks.

+1.  $#*& Starbucks!

[oldbike54]

And just who told you they were intelligent? 

 Oh , you know a couple of them from right here , and likely would consider them very intelligent 

 Dusty

[yogidozer]

Oh , you know a couple of them from right here , and likely would consider them very intelligent 

 Dusty

Don't believe everything people claim to be.
Example, I am a very handsome man 

[Tom H]

I own carbed bikes and bikes with FI and computer. I still prefer the bikes without all the computers and sensors. The carbed bikes just seem easier for my to track down and fix the problem when one arises. But with that said my '60's truck is giving me a bit of a fit right now.

With this said. I do like the FI bikes. You just start it up and ride. But when something goes wrong, they are for me a bit harder to tack down the problem. For me to LOVE the FI bikes, I would like to be able to hook up a scanner and have it tell me EXACTLY which part has failed. On a car I had to mess with, the scanner showed the code, but the code was rather cryptic and I had to guess what part made the code come up. Yes, I did look it up on the net and found the most likely cause and fixed it.

Tom