I figured it is probably best toexplain the type of riding I do, etc. first. I live at about 1300 feet and do most of my riding in the 1300 to 3000 ft elevation ranges, and very up and down. On several occasions when I visit my Brother in KY for Whitetail hunting I'll ride at 600 ft., for two weeks out of the year I ride at elevations from 7500 - 11,000 ( maybe a little higher if the weather cooperates this year) in Colorado hunting Elk. As you can see I use my quad a lot for hunting, but I also like to trail ride too. As of lately I tried to avoid hills (Up or Down) due to my experience where I could see the sky through my floorboards. I think some of the suggestions using the AWD/reverse ivveride will help until I get a better feel for my machine. I do ride in some technical stuff where I need the ground clearance (Thats why I got the IRS).

Do I need to get my Carb re-jetted for the elvation ranges I ride? I see that the Polaris stock jet is good to 6k. I took mine out to CO last year, and It seemed to run fine, I had no trouble starting, and it ran fine, in fact it had no trouble pulling the Elk out. My machine seems to run a liittle rich here at my elevation (based on exhaust smell). Is a jet a pain in the A#% to change, or can I get a jet that works for all ranges? Is it easier to just switch Carbs? Should I lean mine up a little since mine seems to be burning rich now?

 

You got the right idea, if the drivability is ok, youre doing fine. If it starts and runs clean, then youre fine.
One thing which may help, and is quick and easy, is remove the air box lid, when you get symptoms of running rich at altitude. This should lean it out quite a bit. Cold weather, and high altitude leans out mixtures. If youre slightly rich now, it should be good when the temps drop in the fall. Just watch the lean/rich symptoms and keep an eye on the spark plugs.
Heres an article which list the symptoms of rich and lean.
symptoms

 

Thanks for the reply and the link. I am looking at taking my SP 700 to the dealer to see if I am eligble for the Carb updates, I have seen a lot of postings where the 03's were eligible for this service update. I figure they can tune it up and it will be on Polaris's dime, My Idle seems to be a little low to although it does not idle erraticly, or shut off, I think it idles around 860+- a few. I am just afraid thatt it will run worse after they mess with it, you know that leave well enough alone thing....LOL

Z

 

honda buster is right in the fact that cold weather will lean you out but correct me if i am wrong. the higher the elevation equals more density altititude meaning the air is less dense. that condition will make you rich. so the two go hand in hand. so at high altitude you are getting less air for the same amount of fuel makes you rich. i would think that you would have to make less adjustments in the winter because the cold weather ( leaning you out, air is more dense ) is working against your higher altitude that is making you rich. in the summer you should see more of a change.

steve

 

If I get what you are saying then that I guess that explains why My SP 700 seemed to run ok at the high altitudes...

 

Yep, I wrote it wrong. It should be lean when cold and rich at altitude. Sorry.

 

A quick fix if your running at higher elevations and the bike starts to bog because its running too rich is to drop the jet needle. Just lift off the seat, take off air box cover and snorkle, just two screws and pull the top dome off the carb remove the diaphram and pull out the plunger. Move the c clip(don't drop it) up two notches on the needle to lean it out and throw it back together.....

 

Thanks for the tip NB I'll have to remember that...... I like the spare gas can mount on the rack, where does one find one of them, and about what does one cost????

 

The gas rack was made by Kimpex out of Quebec for about $50CND. They also made the rear storage box....

 

Thanks for the info NB