I am not too happy to know that they introduce FI on the 2008. I think that Yamaha are forced by the competition and the demand of consumers who think that the more gadgets you have, the better your bike runs. People want everything automatic, electronic. It can also be to meet the requirements for antipollution. With all the sensors and devices needed for injection, even if they are very reliable, I prefer my 02 with ONE carb. It has 47,000 miles and still with the same plugs and no maintenance at all with the fuel system beside air filter change. If something has to go wrong with the carburetor, it's easier to fix and probably cheaper too. For sure that in another 5 more years and more my carb will still do its job flawlessly. Another reason why I don't like FI is the way it idles. Last summer I went for a demo ride to test the Roadliner and the new 1300. Both with FI. The way they sound at idle is like an old Honda Hawk 305, it's too regular and too fast. I don't know if they informed me well when I asked if the idle speed could be reduced and they said it was not adjustable but they turned me off for my dream to have a Roadliner. When I returned home on my RS I liked it even more and decided to keep it and if I buy another one in a few years it's gonna be another RS. As I can see I'll have to buy a used 2006 or 7 to have a good old carb!
Why make it complicated when it is so simple and runs so good.

Salutation Raider Joe and I wish that you enjoy your RS as much as we all do, they are great bikes.

I've thought alot about this since I found out that 2008's had FI and I also came to a conclusion. Yamaha just made all our bikes more valuable. I can say that I have the last year model that came without fuel injection on it. The same way I can say about my 86 Silverado. Whats that old saying on the Tshirts, "Fuel Injections nice but I'd rather be blown" LOL

To All:

I want to Thank All of You for such a warm welcome to this site. It's great to find other Roadie owners with the same passion as me. I knew someone would find a fuel injector for my bike. After much thought, I like the "Bonding" ritual that was mentioned above. I absolutely love hanging out with my bike and others who enjoy their bikes. That is why I am here. BTW I am from Connecticut and would enjoy riding with any of you next Spring. This year I joined Southern Cruisers, Naugatuck Chapter. These guys and gals know some Beautiful routes. The northeast has some excellent roads for riding. I am sure that all of you have graet roads also in your area. Anyone taking long trips next Spring/Summer? I was thinking of riding out to Colorado and ride some of those mountains. I have a friend out there who has been asking me to come out there and go riding. I have started some preliminary planning and am trying to find the cheapest way possible. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also anyone like to ride with me would also be welcome.

Thanks again for the welcome.

RaiderJoe

RaiderJoe

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marcus5021 wrote:
It has 47,000 miles and still with the same plugs and no maintenance at all with the fuel system beside air filter change.

...............Might be time for some plugs, you will tell the difference, trust me. BB

There are always plenty of opinions about any subject and FI is no different. My bike with FI starts anytime, anywhere with the push of the starter button and will take off immediately (I usually let it warm up) with no choke or babying the throttle or clutch. My buddy with a '02 Roadie spent several minutes explaining how best to start and how long to ride with the choke on for my RS. Just about all of the Roadies I've checked have very sooty exhaust (mine included) unlike my FI bike.

Speaking of automatics, I have a '78 and '79 Honda 400 automatic that are a blast to ride. I wouldn't have believed it before I got the first one. Cruise around town and never shift gears or pull in the clutch, you are never in the wrong gear. But the autos weren't macho enough and didn't last long.

I am looking forward to finding out more about the FI on the 08's.

Yamaha's only sensors for their other FI bikes are manifold pressure sensors. I worried about the complications of oxygen sensors in the exhaust, so was relieved to find out that they have not used them so far.

This change had to be for EPA air pollution standards. The fuel mix coming from carbs is always best at fairly specific RPMs, leaving the remainder of the RPM range either lean or rich. It works fine for us but it has consequences in emissions that may no longer be acceptable.

I don't know if it will help with the svs, or the front cylinder lean problem with drag pipes, especially without the oxygen sensors. But it would make the mix values more predictable so it has to help a little. This assumes that Yamaha wants to tune the FI to help resolve these issues.

Its welcome as far as I am concerned. I like carbs, and really enjoy fine tuning one, but FI is stepping up a notch in fine tuning. So looking forward to what comes from this. Plus I'm a computer guy and am anxious to find out if that will open some options, like perhaps being able to tune the mix curve at tuning time dynamically. That would be incredible. Not holding my breath on that one .

I just hope they didn't do it in a way that will spoil the way the engine looks by attaching an ugly apparatus to it.

Gram

On thing I found out is there is no reserve on the petcock. So once it starts sputtering you're screwed.

I asked about FI on my Roadie back when Yamaha (Star)announced the 08's had FI. I was a little upset of course because I was having some SVS troubles. Once I got that all straightened out I was less bothered about FI. I just recently bought a new Stratoliner and this is my first experience with FI. First thing I did was to cruise about 50mph and then hammer the throttle to see the response. All I can say is wow! It jumps and runs like a wild banshee. The next thing I did was to wait until a very cold morning and see how that was. I turned the key and hit the starter. A few cranks and bam! instant idle. It ran quickly at first and then settled in to a nice cadence. A little quicker idling than the Roadie but okay. This experience has led me to beleive that Star has done their homework and FI on the Roadie will be great. However, now that I've experienced both, I'd have to say that it would be much to expensive an undertaking for the benefits mentioned above. The Roadstar is a great bike just like it is, whether it's fuel injected or not, that's why I didn't trade my 02' in. My 3 cents anywho!

Guess I'm a bit old fashion, but if my bike had fuel injection, I would probably take it off, sell it on ebay and put an after market carb on it..I already took one fuel pump off just want it simple..I took the electronic ignition off my boat when it failed on me about 4 miles from the dock...put in a standard distributor with points and condenser and never looked back.. I carry a spare and can change it in about 10 mins...