High Altitude Riding - Colorado ??

narow37 · Feb 19, 2008

depending on how long you will be at those altitudes, you may want to have a few different sizes of intermediate jets to change out.

chucktx · Feb 19, 2008

if you are passing through and not going to live there, you should be fine...you may experience a bit of a power problem, but it will only be temporary and not damaging.....

Gas Man · Feb 19, 2008

Yeah what Chuck said...

I took my carbed bikes to way high before on the skyway in North Carolina... less power but no real harm.... you'll be fine.

Cobrafast1 · Feb 19, 2008

Hey TS... above 10K, it'll run a bit rich as the air gets thinner. But you won't be up there that long. If you live there, I'd change, but not worth the hassle for a passing through trip.

I took a dirt bike up there in the 70's and spent a week dirt riding in the mountains. The two cycle engines really feel the problem. I had to rejet about 10K and 12K. But that was it and of course rejet on the way back down.

4 stroke engines are more forgiving. You'll feel some performance loss, but not that much to worry about. You'd rather be too rich than too lean. Too lean can really give you expensive problems.

Have a great trip. Sounds like a really nice ride.

Fibersnake · Feb 19, 2008

TS,

You should be fine especially for short periods. You will start going rich as you get up in altitude and thus loose some power. Depending on your current jetting and difference in altitude should not be a big issue.

Would not hurt to bring the screwdrivers and if she seems to rich, lean it out a little. Possibly more towards the lean for the lower levels which will create a gradual richening condition as the altitude increase and thus may find a decent compromise. If you find yourself too rich and can not adjust out enough to make up, then have a set of jets handy along with the gaskets, etc and install a lean set of jets.

One thing is keep in mind is that you do not want to be towards the lean side at altitude and then descent with out changing or adjustment for it will only get leaner going down and if there is enough change could get towards dangerous side and if your jet is already at the limits, you may not be able to richen it up enough going down if you had jets set for the top level.

In the days of old, Many travelers living up in the higher altitude would take the family trip to the coast without changing the optimal jets that were used for 10k and find major problems at 3k. Going the other way, it would smoke, loose some power and possible require a re-jet but no damage.

Last time I went from low level to upper (West Virginia, to Colorado and back) including a climb up the Mount Evans Scenic By-Way, I had my jets changed to the next smaller size here from the norm, then adjusted to get a decent ride, when I started up in the 9k range I was able to adjust fine with plenty of power and no problems (though I do have to admit that on the Mt. Evans the bike as well as I, were looking for air, then again this was in the 14k range). Had no issues at all and for the whole trip, though I may not have had the normal full power, I did gain better gas mileage and had the room for the higher altitudes. Once back home, just changed back to the normal jets and threw the other in the tool bag.

Good luck and get plenty of pictures.

Fiber

lee · Feb 19, 2008

as a belt and braces you might want to take a spare set of plugs too just incase they get a little fouled due to the rich mixture - get them gapped before you go unless you got the tools with you

PROFLYER · Feb 19, 2008

I didn't read the replies but I just moved to Loveland, CO from Tulsa. My bike was tuned spot on in tulsa and it still runs fine up here. It'll run a bit rich up here, but once you get into some of the mountain passes and such everyone runs rich...the air runs out pretty quick once you head up the hill. It'll still have PLENTY of power, but you'll feel it bog down...PM when you're headed out. I have a few friends that are meeting at my place then we're heading up, it's 5 hours and change from my place....

dingo · Feb 19, 2008

lee said:
as a belt and braces.........

Another phrase to add to the translation dictionary :cheers:

Hijack over!

lee · Feb 19, 2008

belt and braces - to doubly make sure - cover all the angles just in case

dingo · Feb 19, 2008

Lee,

I'm with you :cheers:

....I work with London every day and get over there a couple of times a year.....

braces = suspenders

Cheers,

Chris

aka dingo

chucktx · Feb 20, 2008

dingo said:
Lee,

I'm with you ....I work with London every day and get over there a couple of times a year.....

braces = suspenders

Cheers,

Chris

aka dingo

braces = suspenders.......somthing women wear to "trip triggers"!!:lol:

lee · Feb 20, 2008

that almost makes you English! have a great trip - I'm jealous of all of you going on these trips

chucktx · Feb 25, 2008

there are a lot of nice roads over there. they are narrow tho....and they drive on the wrong side of the road. the small towns and castles are great to visit and the country side is awsome. also, a lot of the animals are "free range"..........no fences!!

chucktx · Feb 26, 2008

yup, i live in southeast texas....got a pin on the map. i plan to attend rot. you will be able to pick me out....ride a black harley...with granite flames...lol lol

High Altitude Riding - Colorado ??

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