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Which year did Harley Davidson start using EFI?

185K views 30 replies 21 participants last post by  HarleyJay 
#1 ·
This question came up in another post and got me curious.

I know the Sporties started in 2007, what about the Dual Cams?
 
#2 ·
I saw some '05 softails with EFI so i thought it was based on the family, but then i found this article. according to it, 2007 is when it became standard equipment, but has been available as an option since 1996.

Here we go, I just found this article:
Harley Davidson’s sportster motorcycle is the first Harley Davidson range of bikes which come with EFI installed. This started in the year 2007 itself. EFI is Electronic Fuel Infection, which comes as original Harley equipment in bikes like FLH, Buell’s, Dyna’s and Softails all offer EFI since the year 2007. An EFI was always an option since 1996 but technological changes and a concern for the environment has caused Harley to make advancements in the direction of producing bikes with EFI already installed.
source: blurtit.com/q612837.html
 
G
#3 ·
Yikes? I'm saying that's incorrect?! When I bought my 2005 Low-Rider I had a choice of carbureted (FXDL) or EFI (FXDLI). I choose the former. Come 2006 I'm saying normally aspirated H-D's were history - it was EFI or nothing?! As far as the Twin-Cam Big-Twins, I'm saying the 88-TC came out in 1999, and the 96-TC in 2007?! Well, if I'm wrong (maybe???) I'll take my punishment like a man and not to get my official Harley-Davidson Milwaukee Steak & Kudos Pie for dinner (yeah, I wish :rolleyes:), cool ?! :D

LRG :cool:
 
#4 ·
The old Magnetti-Marelli fuel injection used in the 90's was lousy. Idle problems galore, and not a very robust system either. Absolute junk.

The new EFI which debuted in '99 (I think) is far superior.

I don't know where the information in Motormcycle's post originated,but it's wrong; if your Harley has fuel injection, it came from the factory that way. They've had factory installed FI systems since '96.
 
#6 ·
I don't mean the link won't work, I mean the information is wrong. Harley has factory installed FI for years. At first, you could only get it on baggers, but when they started using Delphi's system, you could get it on baggers and Softails, and now you have no choice, I think it comes on everything.
 
#10 ·
Harley 1st used Fuel Injection on a limited edition Ultra-Classic in 1995. The following year it was an option on all touring models. They continued using the problematic Magnetti-Marelli system up until 2001, when they switched to Delphi. FI became an option on all models except Sporties, until 2007, when Harley stopped using carbs, and FI was used on all models.
 
#16 ·
Is HD running wide-band 02 sensors now? When did they first add standard 0xygen sensors to their EFI systems (for closed loop operation)?

I've read the horror stories about too-lean idles, overheating "parade mode", etc with the early EFI's but don't know when exactly they CORRECTED this, went to the new EFI system, etc.
 
#20 · (Edited)
For some things the Dyna was the First to get New things for others it was the Tourers .. Might See this Question 20 Years from Now about the First 107 M8 Engine which right now is available on Touring Models Only .. But am betting Most if not all Models ( Except Sportster and Street ) have it Next Year .. Back on Point 1995 Limited Edition Model still rings a bell although didn't research it, meaning that the First EFI Was an EVO Engine ..
 
#22 ·
I'd say you might be able to find out by doing a search on a Harley forum site using search words of 21st century. But then they are always saying it's about time Harley entered the 21st century. My 85 didn't but my 07 did. That sure is of no help but I was playing with BMW's in between those years. I'd certainly bet it was an EVO that first saw it though. I still think it's the best engine they made but will have to wait and see what the M8 does. My ears are probably jaded now with my Indian but I thought the M8 sounded good when I heard one. None of this helps with the question though.
 
#23 ·
I still think EVO is the best engine they made but will have to wait and see what the M8 does. My ears are probably jaded now with my Indian but I thought the M8 sounded good when I heard one. None of this helps with the question though.

I Test Rode the M8's on several different Rides and loved the Road Glide Special Best , Will just say if it holds up in Reliability like the EVO did Harley has a Clear Winner with this Engine ..
 
#24 ·
Agreed but I have always felt that if they had put the V-Rod engine in the Electra Glide or Road Glide it too may have been a winner. I just don't think it was given a fair chance being only in the V-Rod which was a bike that didn't fit many comfortably with that odd seating position.
 
#25 ·
I still think it's the best engine they made but will have to wait and see what the M8 does. My ears are probably jaded now with my Indian but I thought the M8 sounded good when I heard one. None of this helps with the question though.

The maintenance work on a V Rod may have been an issue with some as well .. Honestly don't know how easy or hard it would be, but heard from several that was the issue that had with the V Rod ..
 
#26 ·
I still think it's the best engine they made but will have to wait and see what the M8 does. My ears are probably jaded now with my Indian but I thought the M8 sounded good when I heard one. None of this helps with the question though.

The maintenance work on a V Rod may have been an issue with some as well .. Honestly don't know how easy or hard it would be, but heard from several that was the issue that had with the V Rod ..
Yep, that would certainly kill it even if it was a good engine. Your average owner has to be able to easily maintain one. Just another thing the EVO had going for it. Took very little effort to work on one. I'm seeing this 111 Thunder Stroke as another. Maybe even better.
 
#27 ·
Regular maintenance was a little more difficult on the V-rod and it required more of it. For example, it was almost easier to pull the engine to check the valves than it was to do it in the frame.

The Twin Cam requires less routine maintenance then the Evo and, like it, most of it can be done by the average owner. I think the Twin Cam is a better built engine than the Evo and is more thoughtfully designed, but the differences wouldn't be noticed by the average owner. Both engines have certain modifications that are easier to do on one than the other. Both require special tools to do major engine work, and the TC-B adds a few to that list, but the Evo requires far more machining and fitting when doing major work. For long term reliability I'll take a Twin Cam over an Evo.
 
#28 ·
Evo is the only Harley engine I have known, and it has been very very good to me...

I know some of the older designs hold a special place in people hearts, I can understand.
But I think the EVO was such a leap forward in reliability for the motor company that it must be noted as a true turning point in their history.

I know carbs are going to be a thing for the history books soon enough, just like points and kick start was for the generation before me. But I like my carb cause I know it. I feel like its one less thing I have to get professional help with.

Tuning is becoming a thing of computers not screwdrivers. Its all part of moving forward.

I am glad Harley is moving forward. For me reliability is king and performance is down the list a ways.

I think if the EVO is the benchmark for reliability going forward, the company will do just fine.
 
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