One Day In Colorado On A Rented Harley

[1KPerDay]

Thannks for the report and pics. I did something similar in Maine... had a great time on a Road Glide.

[Jeff N]

Cool report and great pics!  

Do you think the altitude might have had something to do with the sense of power loss? When I visited my folks in Fort Collins many years ago my GPz900R was noticeably weaker in the mountains.

[bikerfish1100]

Do you think the altitude might have had something to do with the sense of power loss? When I visited my folks in Fort Collins many years ago my GPz900R was noticeably weaker in the mountains.

if it's a carbureted engine, yes, it would be choking on our air. if FI, should only be a very slight drop in throttle response and overall power.

[chornbe]

if it's a carbureted engine, yes, it would be choking on our air. if FI, should only be a very slight drop in throttle response and overall power.

eh... depends. That '08 is FI (All Harleys are FI as of '07 and it's been optional for about 10 years) and already runs sooooooooooo lean. Mine felt a little wheezy in the top end at the upper altitudes earlier in the year. The FI remained smooth, no abruptness, etc., just overall flatter in the top end.

[kendenton]

Great report and pics as always Ken.  

Other than not taking the time to remove the windscreen as you requesting, how was Eagle Rider to deal with?  I'm thinking of renting a Harley from them when I visit Sedona later this year.

I've rented from 2 Eagle Riders, Steamboat and Miami.  No problems either time.  The Miami outfit was a storefront in a strip mall, just bike rentals.  Steamboat's was part of a multi-line bike dealer, although not a Harley dealer.  The only thing I don't like about Eagle is the no-refund policy, but I can live with it.

[1KPerDay]

if it's a carbureted engine, yes, it would be choking on our air. if FI, should only be a very slight drop in throttle response and overall power.

The CV carbs on pre-FI harleys did fine at altitude. Both carbed bikes and FI bikes lose power at high elevation. Less air.

[bikerfish1100]

yeah, i said "very slight drop". maybe "some dropoff in power" would have been a phrase that all ya'll would have liked more?   it falls off somewhat with FI, but not all the way to the ground floor like it would with a carb. and whatever bikes lose, cars lose even more, so our power differential remains the same or better.
guys- i lived in CT for years, and now in the CO Front Range (45 mins from Estes Park, 1.5 hrs from 12,000+ ft. for the past 5) - i know what happens at altitude, believe me.

[1KPerDay]

yeah, i said "very slight drop". maybe "some dropoff in power" would have been a phrase that all ya'll would have liked more?   it falls off somewhat with FI, but not all the way to the ground floor like it would with a carb.

That's my only complaint. You make it sound like a carbed bike has to be pushed over the rockies... which isn't true.

[bikerfish1100]

That's my only complaint. You make it sound like a carbed bike has to be pushed over the rockies... which isn't true.

i currently ride both a KLR and my FI R1100S beemer, and have ridden late 70's BMWs (CV carbed) over Trail Ridge Road (at 12k+ ft, there are few roads higher in North America). Altitude would take the 1000cc bike and make it run like a 800 cc machine.

but is supect that the issues with this H-D's performance were NOT related to the FI/Carb situation. so any thoughts on what it was? just a POS?

[kendenton]

i currently ride both a KLR and my FI R1100S beemer, and have ridden late 70's BMWs (CV carbed) over Trail Ridge Road (at 12k+ ft, there are few roads higher in North America). Altitude would take the 1000cc bike and make it run like a 800 cc machine.

but is supect that the issues with this H-D's performance were NOT related to the FI/Carb situation. so any thoughts on what it was? just a POS?

Well, the tag did read 'POS"    I don't think it was altitude related, it didn't have oomph passing folks coming out of Steamboat.  

I say we stick a fork in the power issue - it's done.  Moving on...

[1reddawg12r]

Colorado is Beautiful..

[sagerat]

Nice pics; I've ridden in SW Colo but will now have to try to hit RMNP and central Colo.

[mtrider16]

I rented a R1150GS in Denver.     They have VFR, a Duc, as well as FJR and R1200RT.

Not the newest equipment on the planet, but it worked well for me.

David

[mtrider16]

 (Edited to remove sarcasm.)

Falls River Road is a beautiful ride when you get the chance.




David

[mtrider16]

Thanks for the pics.  - David