 Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Hiya While my other bike was being serviced yesterday, I went to play on a new '08 fuel injected America. The bike looks great and I like the larger wider tank, new badges, new colour etc but the ride ... oh dear! (Sorry for the quality of the pics, I took them with my 'phone) The two tone blue is great - I'm biased though, I like blue bikes!!  The new clock has a couple of perdy lights ...
Fuel warning light (obviously as there is no fuel tap) and the engine management thingy light.  The 'carbs' look really good.
Funny, EFi but the 'choke' still works!
I asked the mechanic what it does (I'm guessing making the mix richer??) but he says they are going on the course to learn fuel injection inside-out.
That choke knob DOES do something, it's not there for show. Pull it and the revs rise ... that came out wrong but you know what I mean!! 
'Carb', RHS ...
There is a little bar across the opening of the fuel tank ...
Sensors fitted to both exhausts ...
The new tank is nice.
It's definitely quite a bit wider, closing your legs while riding there's only a small amount of movement.
There was a 'lull' when I changed gear - like, no power for a second which I hated.
I'm giving the bike the benefit of the doubt here because I was the first rider and it might not have been set up spot on.
Do I like the revamped look? No I LOVE it.
Would I buy one? NO.
The mechanic said he also preferred carbs ....
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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"Fuel warning light (obviously as there is no fuel tap) and the engine management thingy light." Why is there no fuel tap? no reserve? 
Warren
04 Caspian Blue and Silver America
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Fuel injected bikes (in my limited experience with efi on bikes) don't have fuel taps.
You get a warning light instead of the coughcoughsplutter warning to switch over to reserve.
There is no manual switch to reserve, just one tank with a low level warning.
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 81
Member
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Member
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Quote:
That choke knob DOES do something, it's not there for show.
A friend of mine has a fuel injected Kawasaki Vulcan and it has a "fast idle knob," which closely resembles a choke knob.
He said he never has to use it though because it idles fine immediately after start up.
Regards,
-Ward
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Why is there no fuel tap? no reserve?
If its like my old Suzuki, it does not need a fuel tap. It had a fuel pump in the tank. When you turned on the ignition you could here the pump turn on. When the ignittion is off the fuel cannot run throught the system. I could undo the fuel pipes from the under the tank and no fuel would run out.
Instead of having a reserve tap, you have warning lights.
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
There was a 'lull' when I changed gear - like, no power for a second which I hated.
I'm giving the bike the benefit of the doubt here because I was the first rider and it might not have been set up spot on.
Hopefully this is a bike that has not been set up right. EFI should work spot on every time. All the Jap bikes ive ridden with EFI have always been spot on, so have the Beemers. EFI cars have been running perfect for years.
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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NEVER trust an IDIOT light!!!!! why do you think they are called IDIOT lights, IDIOT????? i will never forget my dad saying that to me after i blew up a car one time, oil light came on at the same time the car went bang and quit hahahahahahaha 100mi and i get gas!!! i was comeing home from a service call the other day and when i got to a new intersection ( a brand new road) with no traffic light onto a main road. i looked left, looked right, looked left and realized i had seen something a ways down to the right tthat seemed out of place so looking right again i realize, its a biker sitting there on the side of the road, i look close and dont see a cell phone at his ear so i decide to turn right instead of left and see if assistance is needed. i pull up on the right side of him and say "trouble??" he sez i think its electrical it went sputter sputter and died, i just bought it and am headed home. i sez, did you check your fuel?? that bike is fuel injected isnt it?? he sez yea but they told me there is a light that will come on when i got about 30mi left. i sez, yea but did you look in the tank, and made the idiot light comment. well i guess you know i got about a 1/2 gallon out of my truck tank and got him to the station about 2 mi down the road. i followed him to ensure he got there ok and he then told me he had just bought it and i said it seems to me that the $$$$ you pay for a new custom (get this the best part) Hardley Davidson (just how i said it) they would have sent you home with a full tank hahahahahaha shoula bought a Triumph hahahahaha  dont ever trust an IDIOT light!!!!!
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Quote:
There was a 'lull' when I changed gear - like, no power for a second which I hated.
I'm giving the bike the benefit of the doubt here because I was the first rider and it might not have been set up spot on.
Hopefully this is a bike that has not been set up right. EFI should work spot on every time. All the Jap bikes ive ridden with EFI have always been spot on, so have the Beemers. EFI cars have been running perfect for years.
Mark,
Sometimes the manufacturers don't get the fuel mapping done right first time round.
Triumph had this problem on the original TT600's.
My Beemer also had this issue (very slightly) until my first service visit when the mechanics did an upgrade and has run perfectly for the past 11 years.
The first EFI Suzuki 750 GSXR's (circa 2001 or 2) were also notorious for this problem.
As a rule (perhaps with limited exceptions), the Italians got it right from the word go (excluding the beautiful but infamous Bimota 500 V-Due which was a direct injection system and which problem/model ultimately caused Bimota's original downfall in 2000/1, before being resurrected again).
So, on conventional engines and EFI systems (unlike that of the Bimota), these problems are not uncommon and are easily remedied.
In my own experience, this "hesitation" (as described by FT above) can sometimes be scary, especially in traffic.
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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i can't wait to go to triumph school to learn all the new stuff!
bloodfalcons.blogspot.com
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Quote:
That choke knob DOES do something, it's not there for show.
A friend of mine has a fuel injected Kawasaki Vulcan and it has a "fast idle knob," which closely resembles a choke knob.
He said he never has to use it though because it idles fine immediately after start up.
Regards,
-Ward
The Vics have that too. Almost useless. You shut it back off immediately after starting.
No one will miss the carbs except the crowd that still wants a kick starter.
And the petcock? Fugeddabout it!
Who wants to be fumbling for reserve while going through a turn at 50 mph? I'll take a low fuel light any time.
Sorry, the tank change is criminal. The "classic" Speedy tank is a work of art.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Who wants to be fumbling for reserve while going through a turn at 50 mph? I'll take a low fuel light any time
Amen!
Quote:
Sorry, the tank change is criminal. The "classic" Speedy tank is a work of art.
New one must be cheaper to make!
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Did you notice if it has AI fitted?
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 Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 807
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Mar 2007
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My question is: the new FI models make a few horsey's more over the carbed versions. Is this because they run cleaner and therefore can be tuned slightly more powerful (ie, with less restriction) and still remain within emissions standards? Erm, in other words, will they react the same with similar basic induction and exhaust mods or are these things done already which accounts for the few extra gee-gee's? Make sense? I'm not sure it does to me!! 
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 Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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I'm a little confused. Here's why.
On the United Kingdom Triumph site, for 2008,under specifications for Speedmaster/America is says fuel injection. On the United States Triumph site it lists carberation with electronic warmers.... just like previous years.
I was speaking to someone at a Triumph dealership and they told me that the bikes won't have EFI till 2009. Maybe Europe gets it first?
BTW, I also heard the 1400cc is due out in JUNE 08. But I don't know what engine the cruiser is to have.
Tali
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Maybe Europe gets it first?
Bingo
Stewart
.......
"It's outside your field of expertise."
"Poppycock normally is."
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Quote:
I'm a little confused. Here's why.
On the United Kingdom Triumph site, for 2008,under specifications for Speedmaster/America is says fuel injection. On the United States Triumph site it lists carberation with electronic warmers.... just like previous years.
I was speaking to someone at a Triumph dealership and they told me that the bikes won't have EFI till 2009. Maybe Europe gets it first?
BTW, I also heard the 1400cc is due out in JUNE 08. But I don't know what engine the cruiser is to have.
Tali
Europe is the fore-runner to make sure everything is alright before distributing to the USA market, after all America is Triumphs clinch pin for selling bikes.
The idea of having idiot lights for low fuel is better than nothing.
Ray(UK)
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
Who wants to be fumbling for reserve while going through a turn at 50 mph? I'll take a low fuel light any time.
And that is precisely the point of idiot lights newt was making. You cannot fumble with something you don't have unless you want to beat the light to death for misbehaving 
I can only wish I always have momentum when switching to reserve. Having to switch to reserve while accelerating from a light is most annoying and embarrassing.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
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Quote:
........ Having to switch to reserve while accelerating from a light is most annoying and embarrassing.
And potentially dangerous!
Thanks for posting the pix and comments. Hopefully Triumph can get the FI sorted out. Yamaha is still having problems with their FZ1 (according to the bike mags). You'd think Yamaha would have FI dialed in with no issues given their production volumes and R&D resources.
I'd have to see the tank in person to pass judgement. Do love that color combo.
Al
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
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NUTS to the idiot lite and the no reserve petcock. Also, ain't crazy about another sensor line coming out of the pipes, one more thing to mess up the clean lines. Yeah, I'm cranky, but no newer, better, HUH!, for this dude.
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Quote:
The Vics have that too. Almost useless. You shut it back off immediately after starting.
No one will miss the carbs except the crowd that still wants a kick starter.
And the petcock? Fugeddabout it!
Who wants to be fumbling for reserve while going through a turn at 50 mph? I'll take a low fuel light any time.
Sorry, the tank change is criminal. The "classic" Speedy tank is a work of art.
Count me in with the folks that wouldn't mind having a kick-starter. Also, I don't like the additional parts to mess with (or malfunction). I wonder how the fuel pump in the tank is changed out if it were to fail. And more sensors with the exhaust....no thanks. So this is progress I suppose, but I'll stick with my '03. Fortunately, my bike is in great shape, and paid for, and when it gets enough use, I'll do the big bore. I'd prefer to stick with carbs though, and the original shape of the tank...
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Old Hand
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Old Hand
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Quote:
Did you notice if it has AI fitted?
Probably not. Since it has 02 sensors in the exhaust, the injection is likely to be precisely controlled enough to not need that.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Did you notice if it has AI fitted?
Yes it did.
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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I am thinking that if it still needs AI to meet the limits it probably isn't that good an injection system. Or would it be because its an air cooled motor
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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many fi bikes used some sort of an ai system, i know suzuki and yamhama does
Frank
(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Funkle?? thought you might have realised that same as your others i.e ST there is much more adjustment of a sort on the fuel mapping and the Actia settings and like all new EFI bikes the throttle's are always set with some free play which can be erradicated at the customers request.
LOVE the 1050 motor in my tiger, still got the ST?
I think overall it will hold its own and carry on being much loved we just need Brett to do good value(i.e. cheap)Tuneboy to replace the screwdrivers and balance tubes.
Mike.
PS hows the draggin, times??
"four wheels move the body
-two wheels move to soul"
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
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I want a kick start and points both are dependable and very inexpensive to fix, no little black box to cost you a fortune when it fails and can in most cases be fixed with sand paper if it does fail.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Dude, you bought a bike that is way too new if that's the case... 
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I already have a collection of old bikes and love my SM but it would have been nice to be able to retro fit it like you can with HD. I would leave the electronic ign. until I had an issue but then save a bundle and use points to fix it if it did fail. I just like kick start would be cool to be able to retro fit that too and keep the starter also able to do with HD. Not sure if you can do those on the twin cam models though.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Well, with enough time, talent and money, anything can be accomplished. Heck, you might even sell a few conversions. 
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Old Hand
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Old Hand
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Quote:
I want a kick start and points both are dependable and very inexpensive to fix, no little black box to cost you a fortune when it fails and can in most cases be fixed with sand paper if it does fail.
I just realized. I only have 4 vehicles left with a real ignition system, and two don't count because they are diesels. Gotta admire the real engineers, they used mechanical designs to do what these whippersnappers can only do with computers.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Dec 2005
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I don't have a problem with EFI or warning lights. Though in truth I like the fuel switch, if only to turn it off when you take the tank off. I have worked with differing warning lights for years, if maintained they generally work, but I am thinking that mil spec combat switches are not installed in Triumph motorcycles!!
A dog, a bike, a ute,
Now in the deep south.. Newcastle.
Cold winters, cold rain
Come on summer
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
i can't wait to go to triumph school to learn all the new stuff!
Just got back yesterday... you'll not find a stick of info on the twins with EFI though.. couldn't even beg any discussion on the matter.
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Sorry, the tank change is criminal. The "classic" Speedy tank is a work of art.
I agree about the tanks on our bikes... however.. they had to put the fuel pump in there and they say it just wouldn't work in the old tank.
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Posts: 1,457 |
Hey Ian, you're way too old to be kick starting a bike and Beano, It's too bad the tuneboy is $400. There's some good tunes for the Tigers. It's cheaper to just go to the dealer and have them put it in.
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29 |
Quote:
I'm a little confused. Here's why.
On the United Kingdom Triumph site, for 2008,under specifications for Speedmaster/America is says fuel injection. On the United States Triumph site it lists carberation with electronic warmers
The real answer is that the USA market bikes are made in Thailand (which makes em with carbs) and the Euro bikes are made in Britain which had to change to EFI to meet the new Euro laws.
Personally I think EFI/low fuel light are good things. More power, less fuel, no messing around with jets/needles and balancing. They should have done it years ago!
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
The real answer is that the USA market bikes are made in Thailand (which makes em with carbs) and the Euro bikes are made in Britain which had to change to EFI to meet the new Euro laws.
No.. not really, I'm told some of the US spec bikes are still made in the UK but they did have to go to FI to meet the UK emmisions guidelines. The US hasn't enforced stricter regulations yet so they can use up some of those carbs they got laying around on our bikes. 
And all the parts are manufactured in Great Britain then shipped to Thailand for assembly so they are technically still true British bikes.
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
And all the parts are manufactured in Great Britain ...
Or wherever they can get them cheapest ...
Quote:
... then shipped to Thailand for assembly so they are technically still true British bikes.
Been saying that for a while too Chy.
Then again, the "I ain't buying no furin' built bike" fruit loops will chime in again.
Come to think of it, isn't ANY bike not built in one's own country a foreign built bike?? mmmmmmm
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
Then again, the "I ain't buying no furin' built bike" fruit loops will chime in again.
 
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week - try the veal.
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Rode an EFi America - not impressed
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 57
Member
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Member
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Quote:
Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week - try the veal.
All week huh? nothin else planned?
Attitudes adjusted while you wait.
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