Pike's Peak
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Pike's Peak
At 14,100 ft asl, will a 2009 RKC make it up there? I drove a '79 MBG to the top years ago and was funny... as I crested the last knoll starting the slow downhill roll to the Welcome Center the car said "ENOUGH!" and died 
. And interesting how many stops you have to make in descent at brake checkpoints. I was in good shape all the way.
Anyway, will I have problems in taking the bike up there?
. And interesting how many stops you have to make in descent at brake checkpoints. I was in good shape all the way.Anyway, will I have problems in taking the bike up there?
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 7
From: The Great Northwest
Don't know. But if you have a programmable EFI manager like a PCIII, you could probably load up a custom map for the climb.
I was stationed at Pete Field in Co. Springs for 3 years from 73 to 77. Rode my Kawi 750 Triple 2 Stroke (Purple) up Pikes once and actually had to walk along side it for the last 1/2 mile. It had a little power but not enough with me on it.
I was stationed at Pete Field in Co. Springs for 3 years from 73 to 77. Rode my Kawi 750 Triple 2 Stroke (Purple) up Pikes once and actually had to walk along side it for the last 1/2 mile. It had a little power but not enough with me on it.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
In 1980 I road a Kawasaki 1000 LTD (the 1st Kawasaki that was a semi-Harley style) up and down with no problems what so ever.
I understand it is now almost all pavement. In 1980 the top half of the mountain road was gravel. I almost lost it on one curve coming down a little to fast. Me and my buddy were passing cars going up the top half though. Electronic ignition is awesome.
I understand it is now almost all pavement. In 1980 the top half of the mountain road was gravel. I almost lost it on one curve coming down a little to fast. Me and my buddy were passing cars going up the top half though. Electronic ignition is awesome.
Last edited by Texas Fat Boy; Dec 23, 2008 at 10:59 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 146
From:
Should make it no sweat. You'll notice an extreme loss of power but you should be fine. There used to be a motorcycle race up Pikes Peak. An old brother from the club won it back in the 50's. Sadly he died in the spring of '07.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 552
Likes: 50
From:
Your '09 RKC is so much more technically advanced than a '79 MGB that it's not funny. The new bike has oxygen sensors and thus closed-loop feedback to the fuel injection, so that it will maintain the same air/fuel ratio at the top of the mountain as the bottom (certainly not true with the carburetor on the MGB; you would have been way richer at the top than at the bottom, which is likely why it stalled.)
Of course, as someone mentioned, you will have significantly less power at the top than at the bottom, since there's just not as much oxygen at the top. The bike will have a lot less trouble breathing than you will.
Of course, as someone mentioned, you will have significantly less power at the top than at the bottom, since there's just not as much oxygen at the top. The bike will have a lot less trouble breathing than you will.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
My '03 RK carbureted model had no problem whatsoever. Your more advanced EFI bike should do even better. Remember to tale some cold weather gear. It can snow up there in July!
Enjoy your trip and ride safe,
John
Enjoy your trip and ride safe,
John
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2008
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You should not have any problems, I was there last year and had all kind of vehicles there and did not see any break downs, on the way down there is a check point where they take the Temperature of your Brakes to see if they are over heating, if so they make you pull off and let them cool down for safety reasons. It is Beautiful Country there and remember the Higher you go the Thinner the Air Gets! I have never been that High Before! LOL
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 810
Likes: 0
Mt. Evans about a hour west of Denver is a hundred feet higher then PP. All blacktop. Had my '90 Dresser (carbed) up there without any problems back in '91. Like others said, dress warm..it was 34° at the top in July.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 195
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From: MN