KLR650 at different altitudes

[ImNotLost]

We're taking our KLR650's from sea-level (Lima, Peru) to above 4000m (La Paz, Bolivia) and down to sea-level again and I wonder if anyone has experience with this? First of all I'm wondering if re-jetting would be needed or if there is something simpler I can do... or perhaps I don't have to do anything at all? :-)

[AndyT]

I have ridden my 2000 KLR 650 at -100 meters in California to 4800 m in Peru with no changes to the standard jetting. It does run rich and lose power at altitude, of course. I think that most areas where there is high altitude, there is also a lot of elevation change, and it would not be practical to keep changing carb mixture. I would rather err on the conservative (rich) side, since rich only wastes a little fuel, where lean can cause a ventilated piston.

[PatOnTrip]

Hi ImNotLost!

You just have to drill a couple of holes on the top right side of your airbox on your KLR. Then put some plastic cap on it to keep your stock jetting setting.
As you will go higher in altitude, if you feel you are loosing some power, you just have to remove a cap or more. In the end, your bike will not run too rich and you still get good gas/mileage. Also, your bike will be run better at idle.

Patrick

[MichelleS]

My KLR650 '98 ran fine in Bolivia at near 5000m. I couldn't get more than 90km/hr going uphill when climbing up to that altitude (hardly a problem) and found that I did go through the fuel but then it was rubbish fuel so that played a part in it also.
We found we suffered more with the altitude than our bikes did (The KLR650 kept up with a fuel injected GS1150), so I'd be inclined to leave the jetting alone. And as AndyT mentioned, when in altitudes like that, you tend to be up and down a lot so could end up with more headaches then if you left it alone.
Good luck with it.

Michelle

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