creole Posted June 7, 2012 #1 Posted June 7, 2012 Quick question. We have a 99 venture and have talked with friends about a ride in the mountains of Colorado. Friends with fuel injected bikes have concerns about ours not being fuel injected. Surely it's not a big enough issue to be concerned with, but thought I'd ask if anybody had experience with this. Thanks for the input, Creole.
Freebird Posted June 7, 2012 #2 Posted June 7, 2012 It's not a problem at all. Eileen and I rode the highest peaks in Colorado pulling a heavily loaded trailer and never had a problem with power. Have fun and don't worry about it.
Jactana Posted June 7, 2012 #3 Posted June 7, 2012 Last summer I rode down through Northern California and Nevada to Arizona on the high plains and quite a bit of riding was over 6000 ft above sea level. I noticed a loss of power over 7000 ft. periodically requiring grabbing a lower gear on climbs or when passing other vehicles. My riding companion said he'd see a puff of black when I really got on it, so she was running pretty rich. He was riding an '08 Suzuki Bandit (fuel injected) and didn't experience any power loss. It wasn't a huge problem, just be aware when you're passing that you don't have the normal ooomph you normally have. My bike normally lives at 2100 ft here in Kamloops and runs normal to about 6000 ft the way it's set up. Ron
ACE50 Posted June 7, 2012 #4 Posted June 7, 2012 Unless thier fuel injected bikes are closed loop systems, (newer ones with oxy sensors) they'd have similar problems. But I have noticed a diff in power in the Blueridge mountains, and not nearly as high as the Rockey's. You'd prob be OK though.
Bummer Posted June 7, 2012 #5 Posted June 7, 2012 Irene and I have been to Pike's Peak, Mt Evans, and Trail Ridge Road on both a First Gen and a Second Gen - several times. No problems with the carbs at all. A little less power gets made at 14k feet, but you'll still have plenty. It'll even idle, though if you're pouring on the coals then have to chop the throttle it may die. It'll start right back up, but a more smooth throttle hand is a convenient thing to have. I met a couple of guys at the top of Mt Evans with fuel injected BMW adventure touring bikes. They had to stay on the throttle a little bit because they wouldn't idle at the top of the mountain. If you haven't changed it recently, be sure to change your clutch fluid before you go. The stuff draws water which will flash off more easily at altitude, causing huge problems. With bad fluid you can pull in the clutch and nothing happens when you're nearing the top. Come back down and it'll work just fine. Of course, the problem is that you'll need that clutch at the top.
creole Posted June 7, 2012 Author #6 Posted June 7, 2012 Thanks for all the input. Pretty much what I expected, but didn't think it would hurt to ask!
ragtop69gs Posted June 7, 2012 #7 Posted June 7, 2012 If your bike is running properly you'll have no problem in the mountains. I have rode 2 up pulling a trailer with our '01, 11000 ft on the main road and we took a few side roads at the top that took us about another 800-1000 ft up.
Condor Posted June 7, 2012 #8 Posted June 7, 2012 A batch of us visited the Rim of the World on Bear Tooth Pass last July during the International, and not one complained about the loss of power, or difficulties in starting.
Dano Posted June 7, 2012 #9 Posted June 7, 2012 My 08' seemed like it ran better at the top of Beartooth Mountain pass last year, no problems at all. Saw some injected bikes having a bit of a problem with it tho..... Didn't we like it up there Condor? We did it twice.... wanna go back there
rod Posted June 7, 2012 #10 Posted June 7, 2012 I tend to use a lower gear above 6000 ft. I do a lot of riding in the high mountains. I ride pretty aggressive and stay on the twistys as much as I can. Rod
Dano Posted June 7, 2012 #11 Posted June 7, 2012 I tend to use a lower gear above 6000 ft. I do a lot of riding in the high mountains. I ride pretty aggressive and stay on the twistys as much as I can. Rod Sounds like a LOT of fun!
JohnMidnight Posted June 7, 2012 #12 Posted June 7, 2012 Didn't have any problems with altitude with the Lady, even when I rode it to the mountains roughly 1 month after she sat dormant for 2 years. Was just fine. Granted, six months later, the engine grinded a hole into the clutch line and I learned what it was like to ride without being able to pull the clutch in, thank god the police were all over the other part of town!
rickardracing Posted June 7, 2012 #13 Posted June 7, 2012 Pikes peak 14,100 feet to the summit. No issues what so ever. Make sure your carbs are synced and go.
utadventure Posted June 7, 2012 #14 Posted June 7, 2012 My 08' seemed like it ran better at the top of Beartooth Mountain pass last year, no problems at all. Saw some injected bikes having a bit of a problem with it tho..... Didn't we like it up there Condor? We did it twice.... wanna go back there When is Cody 3??
BradT Posted June 8, 2012 #15 Posted June 8, 2012 Rode my 99 all over the Colardo mountains occasionally pulling a trailer. Fuel mileage hurt a little and needed to run higher in the rpm's but no problems at all. Mine backfired constantly and didn't bother me but sure sounds like someone was shooting at yah. Enjoy Brad
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