High Altitude
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,635
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From: Adel Iowa
High Altitude
I live in the flat lands. (IA) I am planning a trip this summer which will take me through southern Colorado. I have a 98 carbed Fat Boy.
It runs fine here and ran great last summer when I went east.
This is the first time I've ever been to high altitude country. Can I expect any driveabilty issues? Do I need to set up the bike differently? Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks
It runs fine here and ran great last summer when I went east.
This is the first time I've ever been to high altitude country. Can I expect any driveabilty issues? Do I need to set up the bike differently? Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 3
From: Billings, MT
RE: High Altitude
I have a carbed FXDL that I bought in Milwaukee and rode back to Billings. Ride here at 3,000ft - 5,500+ most of the time and have done the Beartooth Pass (11,000+) without touching a thing. I've yet to see anything more than 91 octane gas around here either, and that works just fine. You should be OK as is.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 4
From: Columbus, OH
RE: High Altitude
If you are running a CV carb, the diaphram is supposed to compensate for altitude changes. If you are running an S&S or other, you will only experience a richer condition at high altitude, which in most cases can be fixed with a mixture screw adjustment. No need to carry jets, but might be good to have extra spark plugs.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 91
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From:
RE: High Altitude
I live here in Salt Lake at 4500 ft. I have been to 10,000+ ft on several occasions and don't notice any difference really. It has been my experience the CV carb adjusts to altitude rather well.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,716
Likes: 103
From:
RE: High Altitude
You'll be fine, I'm from IA and took my 1993 softy (cv carb) up to 11,000, not a problem.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,137
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From:
RE: High Altitude
When my bike was new and stock, my plugs fouled badly in the higher elevations of Wyoming. However, since I put on free flowing exhaust and air cleaner I've had no problems, and I go out west every year. I always carry spare plugs, though.
By the way, the reason the octane is lower out west is because of the elevation. There is less oxygen at higher elevations so you need a hotter burning fuel (lower octane number). So if you use 89 in the flatlands, 87 will do fine in the mountains.
By the way, the reason the octane is lower out west is because of the elevation. There is less oxygen at higher elevations so you need a hotter burning fuel (lower octane number). So if you use 89 in the flatlands, 87 will do fine in the mountains.
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