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Fuel Injection Fuel Injection
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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 22 Oct 2000
Ian Ian is offline
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Fuel Injection
Anyone any knowledge or experience of problems which might occur with overlanding a fuel injected bike, such as the injection system blocking up, how to clean it, priming it if you run out, whether they run on poor fuel etc. Thanks in advance.
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Old 28 Oct 2000
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I have no overland experience myself with fi but the lack of injection problems with 1100 GSs which have got all RTW suggests that, on that bike at least, it is not a weak point. Diesels ar the same of course and they manage OK all over - Clean, air-free fuel is critical and injection systems have all sorts of filters (on BMWs too I guess) which might need cleaning/replacing once in a while.
As for repriming when you run out - good question - it's likely to happen if you have a small tank but it must be possible ithout calling your dealer in. Diesels (or the old ones I use) have a little lift pump you use to reprime or bleed the system of air - it's easy if messy - but I cant say I investigatd on the Dakar 650 or the 1100 GSs I rode.
Poor fuel is a timing thing, not injection related (getting out of my techy depth here). I do know the 1100 can be fitted with an optional 'low octane' ign rotor. The one I borrowed had it (which may explain why it was such a slug).

I would guess fi is no problem and certainly better than some BM carbs.

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Old 30 Oct 2000
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Ditto the above regarding dual sport fuel injection but as for priming, my ' 96 R1100R (same motor just about as a R1100GS) had ungratefully run out of gas on me a few times and I had no problem going again after getting more juice in the tank. The system is pressurized with a pump and I've had no problems with it in the last 27K miles.

The R11R I have has a pretty fine strainer in the tank as well as a fuel filter. I wouldn't worry too much myself about junk in the gas.
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Old 31 Oct 2000
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Converting the GS internal tank fuel filter to an external one that can be easily cleaned is a sane precaution for long distance travel imho, but other than that I would personally prefer FI over carbs on a long trip - better performance and mileage, especially at altitude - the FI compensates for the altitude, carbs don't.

Poor fuel isn't a big problem any more, just make sure you can clean the filter if you get a load of dirty fuel.

Priming as noted is not a problem.

Modern electronics are pretty reliable.

Having said that I ride an old stone age GS with carbs. But it's paid for. :-)

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Old 31 Oct 2000
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Yes, modern fuel injection is pretty reliable. But that doesn't mean it CAN'T break down in India, Africa, or any other place where it would be impossible to fix without DHLing all the parts.
I would say keep with carbs if you don't have the money for air couriers. I have heard horror stories of parts ending up costing many times the purchase price after shipping and customs.
To each his own. But I am not "upgrading" my F650 to the new injected version.
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Old 3 Nov 2000
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On the external fuel filter: Having just replaced my internal one I can say this: It's a real pain in the behind. An external one seems like a GREAT idea. (Although BMW recommends replacement every 24K miles which is pretty good).

My KLR650 (with carb) runs much better cold than my fuel injected R11R and is easier to start. However, the FI in the BMW requires little or no maintenance over the long haul. The jury's still out for me as yet but I'm leaning ever so slightly to FI.
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