Heading out West to the Rocky's

[TearlessTom]

Just curious, I leave at 50 feet above sea level.  We are heading to the Rocky's for 3 weeks vacation (including the drive out) So we will spend a week at Sedona AZ then a week at Pagosa Springs CO.  The elevation there will be from 7000 - 13000/14000.

I've read where just switching to the 85 octane from the 87 and 89 I run here will be sufficient.

Not going to re-jet just for vacation.

So my question I guess is, is this all I need to do and how much power can I expect to loose if any?

I've ridden many times in the Smokies where the elevation is under 7000. with no issues at all , actually I got much much better gas mileage there than at home.

Just wondering,  Thanks

[ptgb]

We live at 1000 feet in NE Ohio.

When we went out to Colorado for Inzane couple years ago, you can feel the loss of power with the Valks, but it isn't that pronounced. The most it was noticed was going up over the Eisenhower Pass on I-70 west of Denver. I imagine because you are up over 10000 feet and running at highway speeds.

We had four Valks in our group. Two had no issues except little loss of power. One blew a bit of black smoke, the other fouled a plug, but was good to go after a cleaning.

We were at higher than 7000 feet altitudes for about 2 weeks and it wasn't a problem. I wouldn't mess with the Valkyrie at all.

 

[TearlessTom]

What octane did you run or do you suggest?

[ptgb]

I ran the unleaded regular which there is 85 octane. Here regular UL octane is 87

[9Ball]

rule of thumb is you lose 3 to 5% for every 1000 feet...

You will notice a loss of power through the passes but just burn 85 octane (which is regular unleaded in the most of the areas of Colorado where I lived and traveled).

Have fun...Pagosa Springs is nice.  Be sure to enjoy the hot springs in town.  Different pools have different temperatures.   watch the higher temp pools especially until you get acclimated to the altitude and watch out for excesses of alcohol....altitude and alcohol can make some unpleasant things happen to lowlanders.

[X Ring]

If you get the chance go see Bishop's Castle west of Pueblo.  Pike's Peak is awesome and while you're in the Colorado Springs area, you have to see Garden of the Gods.

Marty

[longrider]

I live at 1500 ft and have travelled many times to Colorado.  You will lose a bit but not that noticeable.  If you have the opportunity run up Mount Evans.  Quite the view at over 14000 feet.  Your Valk should have no trouble.  Mine ran fine.

warren
vrcc 5054

[Hoser]

Only place I could even tell a difference was at Mount Evans, and that's 14,000 feet. Oh, and you'll get better mileage.  Hoser 

[Sodbuster]

I've never had good experience with the 85 octane out there in my bikes so I stay away from it and go with the 87 octane and if that's not available go with premium.  Put in some 85 octane once and could barely get 60 mph .... could have been some bad gas

[DenverDave]

Just to clarify, the 85 octane is the same as the 87 octane at lower altitudes. The octane rating is affected by altitude, hence 87 becomes 85.  In older vehicles, with no "automatic" timing adjustments, one would advance the timing. The rule of thumb is 1 degree advance for every 2000 feet in altitude, with a maximum advance of 4 degrees. Since the Valk has electronic ignition, you will not need to make any timing adjustments.


Quoted from http://www.ratwell.com/mirror/saabclub/242/altitude.html

"Fuels sold in Colorado and other high altitude states in the West, are generally 2 points lower in octane. Simply buy the same grade of fuel you were used to buying at low altitude. For example, if you had 87,89, 93, octane available in New Jersey, your choices in Colorado now are 85,87,91. If you were okay with middle grade 89 octane, your choice in Colorado will now be the middle grade 87 octane."

Hope this helps.

If you have any questions or need help, please contact me

Dave

[LilAbner]

Not sure when you are coming to Colorado. You will have a great time. Right now Mt. Evans
is full of Snow. Use 87 oct. gas, But also since you are coming from a low elevation to a high
elevation. Drink alot of water. If you don't you could get sick  from the elevation change.

[F6Dave]

As others have said, the octane is lower here in Colorado, and in other places above 4000 feet in elevation.  There is a perfectly logical reason.  At these altitudes there are less oxygen (and nitrogen) molecules in a given volume of air, so you effectively have less compression.  Therefore engines operate as well or even slightly better with lower octane fuels.  The only thing that irritates me is that the price doesn't reflect the lower octane.  To get 87 octane here I have to buy mid-grade, but at lower altitudes that same fuel would be sold as regular.

[Michael K (Az.)]

I was able to zip up Mt. Evans, 14k, with no noticeable problems in power. Can't say the same for me after getting off the bike, tho!!

[0leman]

I lived in WY for over 23 years.  Our home was around 7K in elevation.  So I was used to that elevation.  I worked, every so often, over 9k in the woods.  I would notice that little change, just walked a bit slower.  If you are coming from less than 100 feet, you will notice the change in elevation.  Be aware that some folks have major issues when they get above 9K feet.   Life threatening issues.  You have to breath a little more often and deeper as the air is a lot thinner.

As far as the octane goes, we used 85 octane the whole time I was in WY.  No problems with power, but then I didn't have a Valk then.  My CB750 rode great, lots of power.  No matter what has been said above, you will notice a drop in power about 9k feet.  Just allow for it when you go to pass.   

[hager the horrible]

I live in colorado and ride at higher altitude alot and also go to palm springs which is at and below sea level have made many trips where have been as high as 13000 ft and at and below sea level on the same trip riding a 2000 interstate with no mods and have had no problems

[F6CTrider]

If you get the chance go see Bishop's Castle west of Pueblo.  Pike's Peak is awesome and while you're in the Colorado Springs area, you have to see Garden of the Gods.

Marty

+1 on Bishop's Castle!  Ask the guy about taxes and the Supreme Court.  Then sit back and enjoy the free entertainment!

I am not much into the "toll / fee" for Pikes Peak and Mt. Evans is free only if you insist you are not going to stop.  (This has been a changing and debateable policy from the park service)

Another MUST is Hwy 550 from Durango up to Silverton and Ouray, it is Top Ten material!  Careful though, in parts the posted limit is 25, and you may not want to go that fast.

Any road through the state will be gorgeous, some are breath taking!  Enjoy

[MarkT]

On Jim Bishop - Get a baseball hat that says "OSHA" above the brim.  Then walk up to Jim and ask if he has a permit for that (whatever he's working on.)  Oh.  Don't have your kids along unless you want them to get lessons on cussing out the gov't.  We have a guy in our local club, his favorite sport is baiting Bishop.  Fun to watch.

[CASABROKER]

How could you loose 3 to 5 percent per 1,000 in altitude as mentioned ?  @ 10 k ft you'd be down 30 to 50 %  I don't think so.
 

[9Ball]

google is your friend....it's true.

http://www.bing.com/search?q=loss+of+horsepower+at+altitude&form=HPDTDF&pc=HPDTDF&src=IE-SearchBox

you'll find lots of discussion regarding loss of hp versus altitude....and again, it's a rule of thumb, not an absolute in all cases.  Also, doesn't apply to SC or turbo, only normally aspirated (carbureter) engines.