Running at high elevations
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Kalamazoo, Mi
Running at high elevations
Just completed riding from Michigan to Los Angels and what an amazing ride. Crossing the Rocky Mountains was a little bit of a challenge due to the elevation. Bike really struggled at times above 7000 feet needed to keep it higher in revs. Anyone have ideas, thoughts, or suggestions to help the performance on the trip back? The bike is a 2001 Sportster 1200 Custom this was my first time over the mountains on a bike so maybe it just is what it is, but if there is a way to get better performance shy of re-jetting the carb, well just looking for ideas.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 159
Likes: 2
From: Southern Idaho
It's just running rich at higher altitudes, don't worry about it since you don't do most of your riding at higher altitudes. I see the same type of issues with my fatboy when going over 8000+ mountain passes, it clears right up as I go back down.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Republic of Texas
Last time we made a trip into the mountains our mileage actually went up which was contrary to what I expected. I would have thought that I mis-figured it till someone else commented on how they were getting more miles to the tank also. Never cared enough to try to reason out the mileage change compared to altitude--- just an observation. I myself would not mess with my tuning since mountain riding doesn't appear to be your norm.
Last edited by oldairboater; Jun 29, 2010 at 12:19 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
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From:
Totally stock bikes have more problems at high elevation than modified ones. If you don't already have free-flowing air cleaner and exhaust, those modifications seem to help. If you have a "kit" in your carb those tend to make the bike disastrously rich even at sea level.
By the way, congratulations on using the correct term, "elevation". Planes fly at high altitude, bikes ride on elevated land.
By the way, congratulations on using the correct term, "elevation". Planes fly at high altitude, bikes ride on elevated land.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 697
Likes: 1
From: Just west of Tahoe
Just completed riding from Michigan to Los Angels and what an amazing ride. Crossing the Rocky Mountains was a little bit of a challenge due to the elevation. Bike really struggled at times above 7000 feet needed to keep it higher in revs. Anyone have ideas, thoughts, or suggestions to help the performance on the trip back? The bike is a 2001 Sportster 1200 Custom this was my first time over the mountains on a bike so maybe it just is what it is, but if there is a way to get better performance shy of re-jetting the carb, well just looking for ideas.
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Road Captain
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Kalamazoo, Mi
Totally stock bikes have more problems at high elevation than modified ones. If you don't already have free-flowing air cleaner and exhaust, those modifications seem to help. If you have a "kit" in your carb those tend to make the bike disastrously rich even at sea level.
By the way, congratulations on using the correct term, "elevation". Planes fly at high altitude, bikes ride on elevated land.
By the way, congratulations on using the correct term, "elevation". Planes fly at high altitude, bikes ride on elevated land.