| Author | Message | ||
     Johnnylunchbox |
Do you think 3000 ft above sea level will affect the power output on my Uly? | ||
| Birdmanrh |
Well altitude affects ALL vehicles, so the answer is yes. (very minor with FI) If what you mean to ask is if it will effect your Uly in an adverse manner, than the answer is NO. (Message edited by birdmanrh on August 08, 2007) | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Not in an adverse manner. Just wondering about power output. I guess it is all the climbing we've been doing. You really have to wind her up on the steeper grades. The elevations around here in NE WV range from 1500 to 3500 feet. | ||
| Chris_in_tn |
I have ridden mine at just over 5000ft. with no }perceivable adverse affects. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
I guess the 95 deg and 100% humidity aren't doing much for power output either | ||
| Teeps |
I've ridden my Uly to 6k feet (Wrightwood,CA.) The only thing I noticed, is it back fired through the intake when restarting after filling with gas. Temp that day was probably about 85F. | ||
| Etennuly |
Many of us Uly riders have cruised over the Cherohala Parkway at one speed or another. The bikes have had no problems at over 5300 feet, up or down, to 1500 in just a short time. As a matter of fact I just did it last Saturday two up just a bit over the GVWR and it ran without a miss, cough, or sputter. On the Cherohala the temps regularly are 30 degrees cooler at the top, so if it is 95F at the bottom, the power loss for altitude is likely to equal out with the drop in temperatures. (Message edited by etennuly on August 08, 2007) (Message edited by etennuly on August 08, 2007) (Message edited by etennuly on August 08, 2007) | ||
| Hughlysses |
There will definitely be a measurable reduction in horsepower. Plug in your numbers on this page and it'll tell you how much: http://www.slowgt.com/Calc2.htm#BasAltCal | ||
| Bertotti |
What was the thread where it was mentioned to ride at a certain rpm for a certain amount of time when changing altitude? It re-calibrated the (AFV?) Kind of like rejetting when needed, I think that was the reference. | ||
| Brad1445 |
our peaks are 14,000 here, I see little difference, but noticeable.  | ||
| Orangeulius |
I have to agree with Etennuly. Having ridden the Cherohala about 5 times now in winter and summer I have experienced absolutely no difference in power at high altitude. http://www.digitalmediaone.com/Buell/Cherohala.jpg BTW how do you insert pictures vs a link like I have? | ||
| Fastmag |
I just did a week at 5000 plus altitude and the Uly will readjust and perform like it should. Wheelies all around. | ||
| Bertotti |
I found the thread that had reference to the afv recalibration and how to do it. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/295277.html?1186099439 It was in the ecm reset for beer thread. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Black Hills are 3,000 up to 6 or 7,000 and my ULY ran strong without a difference. | ||
| Lorazepam |
I think the highest roads in the black hills are around 6200 feet, if I recall correctly. I lived there back in 1980. Sturgis was way smaller and a bit rougher at that time. | ||
| Thunderbox |
The basic numbers are 3% power loss for each 1000 ft of elevation. Less air means less fuel means less power. You can't argue with the laws of physics. So much for seat of the pants dynos eh. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Thunderbox, You are absolutely correct and that is why the 07' airbox cover upgrade is so important. | ||
| Jmhinkle |
Actually you lose 3% of air density per 1000ft. Power loss is calculated from air density loss and works out to a little more than 3% per 1000ft. I'm down 17% power at 5000 feet. Any dyno shows it including seat of the pants. I've ridden the bike at sea level and there is a significant difference in power. The torque is what you miss. Once your rolling, you don't notice the big difference in the HP so much. Off the line, anything is a dog at 5000ft. | ||
| Arcticktm |
+1 to Thunderbox and Jmhinkle. 3% loss per 1,000 ft is the easy rule to use. The exact number is close enough to that to make the math too much trouble. FI only makes sure you don't lose more by running too rich at altitude (though a CV carb can do a fair job at eastern US altitudes). Of course, the exception to the rule is anything not naturally aspirated. A properly matched turbocharger can keep your power constant at altitude until you hit the limits of the turbo (speed, temp or aero). Seems most OEM's using turbos shoot for between 5k-10k ft to keep sea level power, but this varies by industry and emissions standard. The Arctic Cat turbo sleds I am familiar with kept sea level power up to around 7,000ft under most conditions. At that altitude, we could run with the (non-turbo)Yamaha's that had 30hp more at sea level. It was a good way to win bar bets with folks that weren't too savvy on their engine /altitude knowledge. Yes, I suppose I just went off on a tangent... | ||
| Thunderbox |
There is no proof that the 07 airbox cover increases either torque or HP unless the increase is in the middle of the chart. That is unlikely the top end would remain the same if there were a restriction problem with the 06 intake. Buell certainly would have been the first people to claim a HP or Torque increase if it made any difference in that area. There is no change in engine HP or Torque specs from 06 to 08 as far as I am aware. I hear people actually are complaining that the new bikes don't have as much jam as the 06s. Myself I think it was modified for pollution reasons and has something to do with air intake temperature hence the change from right to left intake holes. Myself I don't like the noise increase with the new airboxes. Sounds more powerful though. Back to the original question. Jmhinkle and I don't agree on a lot of issues but if we do on this altitude thing it has to be true. See buddy we can agree on something after all. Nice feeling. lol have a good one all. | ||
| Thunderbox |
One thing I wanted to mention that I forgot to. Have you ever noticed that your fuel economy is better at higher altitudes???? I know you have noticed it. Less air means less fuel and you have less air resistance to overcome also. When you produce less power you burn less fuel. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Jmhinkle said "The torque is what you miss. Once your rolling, you don't notice the big difference in the HP so much. Off the line, anything is a dog at 5000ft." That is exactly what I was talking about. It felt slower off the line and at lower RPM's. I felt that the torque was somewhat lacking, but a quick spin to the 4-5k range would move the bike just fine. | ||
| Jmhinkle |
My fuel economy has suffered since moving to higher altitude. I ride and drive everything harder because of the lack of power. Needless to say economy suffers from it. Only my Turbo vehicles got better MPG at this altitude. If you drive the same way at both altitudes, then your economy would definitely benefit. |
