Altitude

[Hoss83]

Planning a trip this summer which will take me into the mountains and much higher altitudes.
My 83 V65 is of course a carbureted.
The question is: Can I expect poor performance or problems of this nature?
Hoping someone has ridden into much higher elevations and can shed a little light.
Might be no big deal, or CV carbs may not be affected as much but....I'm trying to plan ahead.
Thanks for any input...

[hootmon]

I know the 70's bikes had altitude compensators, not sure about later bikes...
They did only compensate to a certain point though..

[TLRam1]

I have ridden my 3rd Gem Magna in Colorado mostly in the 8000 ft level and over passes of 12000 ft., yes there is a loss of power.

[lragan]

I, too, have taken the 3rd gen over 12000+ passes in Colorado.  I found it had plenty of power for the riding I do -- which is pretty much Casper Milquetoast   I admit to being surprised at how well it performed.  Just keep above 3500 rpm going uphill, could pass anything that I needed to.

[Troystg]

I have only found 91 octane fuel here...  I can only "assume" it is due to the thinner air...  Hopefully I will be riding the valk in these mountains (rockies) in a month or two...

[Magniac]

That's odd, as a general rule, the higher you go in altitude, the lower the octane requirement. When I lived in Colorado, years ago, my job had me traveling the Rocky Mountain states from Canada to Mexico. In most areas you could find 85 octane, as opposed to 87, which is the lowest available most other places.

[Troystg]

Ok I should clarify...  I can only find the HIGHEST of octane to be 91....  Being from LA and TX we had 93 octane as the top fuel...

Yes there is LOWER.... 

[Hoss83]

I have ridden my 3rd Gem Magna in Colorado mostly in the 8000 ft level and over passes of 12000 ft., yes there is a loss of power.

Well it sounds like a loss in power is what I should expect but nothing too bad.....my riding partners are on 650 Versys and I should be able to run with them well enough......Right?
Thanks for the input, I feel  better about the trip. I think somebody needs to come up with a fuel injection conversion!

[hootmon]

I have ridden my 3rd Gem Magna in Colorado mostly in the 8000 ft level and over passes of 12000 ft., yes there is a loss of power.

Well it sounds like a loss in power is what I should expect but nothing too bad.....my riding partners are on 650 Versys and I should be able to run with them well enough......Right?
Thanks for the input, I feel  better about the trip. I think somebody needs to come up with a fuel injection conversion!

Your running a V65 with 650's and you are afraid you won't keep up? You should be able to remove one spark plug wire and keep up just fine, although I don't recommend it..

[TLRam1]

Have to remember the 650 will not be at the top of their game at that altitude either.

[Hoss83]

Ok..I'm aware I can smoke a 650 anytime and that part was more tongue in cheek. but they are EFI and I was assuming altitude does not effect them or at least as much.
If it effects injected bikes to the same extent, then 1 of my reasons for asking is moot so to speak.
That reason was one of the pro's in my pro and con list to purchase a new 2013 ride.
May not be a valid pro....!

[lragan]

If you need a "reason" (read that excuse!!) to purchase a new bike, one that is EFI is as good as any.  With an oxygen sensor in the exhaust, the mixture is always optimum.  So yes, it will maintain performance better than a carburetor engine.  Now if you really want good high altitude performance, add a supercharger!!

Nonetheless, I think your Magna will do just fine.

[Hoss83]

If you need a "reason" (read that excuse!!) to purchase a new bike, one that is EFI is as good as any.  With an oxygen sensor in the exhaust, the mixture is always optimum.  So yes, it will maintain performance better than a carburetor engine.  Now if you really want good high altitude performance, add a supercharger!!

Nonetheless, I think your Magna will do just fine.

Thanks for your input, I will always keep my Magna 65s but I have been looking hard at the new Ducati Hyperstrada that's coming out.
The VFR 1200 manual has my eye but not so much for it's looks (growing on me a little) the motor and ride has me curious most of all.
I would like to hear from a VFR 1200 owner......

[hootmon]

Is the 1200 out in the US yet?
Here is a nice article.

[TLRam1]

Is the 1200 out in the US yet?
Here is a nice article.

I believe so , if I remember correctly I saw one at the Honda shop.