My 2017 Alta Redshift MX...

Track and Trail 6/7/2017 9:52pm
6/7/2017 9:52pm
dirtdog36 wrote:
This is what the benefit of an Alta is!!! Not traction, not weight, not charge time, not cost... it's being able to ride on your own...
This is what the benefit of an Alta is!!! Not traction, not weight, not charge time, not cost... it's being able to ride on your own land anytime you want and no one complain

As for sound... there is no sound in Downhill MTBiking and yet most of us on this board also MTB but don't complain about no sound. As for sound and pro racing: there is something to this, have you tried to watch formula E race? It's brutal and I can watch almost any type of race but can't bear to watch the Eprix
There are plenty of popular sports out there without engine noises or exhaust fumes and MX can get there too imo. Personally, I find the sound of a full pack annoying after a few minutes. Full gates of 2ts were better but still annoying, especially the minis. Now, if we can have bracket racing my opinion changes. Love the sound of a few bikes being ridden hard but 22 or 40 bikes at once is just noise.
JMX82
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JMX82 6/7/2017 10:11pm
6/7/2017 10:11pm Edited Date/Time 6/7/2017 11:46pm
I really like Alta bikes and I wish they will be available in Europe soon. One thing I don't like about the bike is the styling of the rear end. I did crude "Photoshop" how I think it should look to make it look more like modern race bike.



10000hrs
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10000hrs 6/8/2017 3:11am
6/8/2017 3:11am
Look for the ICE mx mfg'ers to propose a rule change for longer motos.

The Shop

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ben990
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ben990 6/8/2017 6:45pm
6/8/2017 6:45pm Edited Date/Time 6/8/2017 6:46pm
I did a lap time comparison tonight, my 2016 Yamaha YZ450F versus my 2017 Alta Redshift MX.



It was 4 laps on each at my friend's practice track, and old school track with a lot of uphills and downhills, and rough. Here are the results:

2016 Yamaha YZ450F:
2:26.8
2:27.5
2:26.7
2:27.8

2017 Alta Redshift MX:
2:23.1
2:23.7
2:25.1
2:25.8

For me, the Alta is easier and faster in the corners. It is easier to be smoother and faster, and I make less mistakes on it. This thing still puts a big smile on my face.



Silas444
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Silas444 6/8/2017 7:06pm
6/8/2017 7:06pm
JMX82 wrote:
I really like Alta bikes and I wish they will be available in Europe soon. One thing I don't like about the bike is the styling...
I really like Alta bikes and I wish they will be available in Europe soon. One thing I don't like about the bike is the styling of the rear end. I did crude "Photoshop" how I think it should look to make it look more like modern race bike.



Just curious - before you decided it would be better if the bike looked like a clone of everything else out there, did you even ponder why a "modern race bike" has all that plastic hanging off the back of it in the first place? Answer: an exhaust. A very HOT exhaust. Which the Alta doesn't have. Ugh. We need MORE unique looking bikes, not LESS.
Juice_Mann 6/8/2017 7:18pm
6/8/2017 7:18pm
ben990 wrote:
I did a lap time comparison tonight, my 2016 Yamaha YZ450F versus my 2017 Alta Redshift MX. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/06/08/199487/s1200_IMG_0564.jpg[/img] It was 4 laps on each at my...
I did a lap time comparison tonight, my 2016 Yamaha YZ450F versus my 2017 Alta Redshift MX.



It was 4 laps on each at my friend's practice track, and old school track with a lot of uphills and downhills, and rough. Here are the results:

2016 Yamaha YZ450F:
2:26.8
2:27.5
2:26.7
2:27.8

2017 Alta Redshift MX:
2:23.1
2:23.7
2:25.1
2:25.8

For me, the Alta is easier and faster in the corners. It is easier to be smoother and faster, and I make less mistakes on it. This thing still puts a big smile on my face.



It's easier to ride faster on the bike you like more. Put a pro on those two bikes and the Yamaha is going to turn faster lap times all day long.
zookrider62!
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zookrider62! 6/8/2017 7:51pm
6/8/2017 7:51pm
ben990 wrote:
I did a lap time comparison tonight, my 2016 Yamaha YZ450F versus my 2017 Alta Redshift MX. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/06/08/199487/s1200_IMG_0564.jpg[/img] It was 4 laps on each at my...
I did a lap time comparison tonight, my 2016 Yamaha YZ450F versus my 2017 Alta Redshift MX.



It was 4 laps on each at my friend's practice track, and old school track with a lot of uphills and downhills, and rough. Here are the results:

2016 Yamaha YZ450F:
2:26.8
2:27.5
2:26.7
2:27.8

2017 Alta Redshift MX:
2:23.1
2:23.7
2:25.1
2:25.8

For me, the Alta is easier and faster in the corners. It is easier to be smoother and faster, and I make less mistakes on it. This thing still puts a big smile on my face.



Juice_Mann wrote:
It's easier to ride faster on the bike you like more. Put a pro on those two bikes and the Yamaha is going to turn faster...
It's easier to ride faster on the bike you like more. Put a pro on those two bikes and the Yamaha is going to turn faster lap times all day long.
I dont understand the point youre making. Why would someone care which bike a pro would go faster on? Tomac hauling ass on a Kawasaki would have no effect on how fast I would ride one.
dimetime
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dimetime 6/8/2017 7:56pm
6/8/2017 7:56pm
I think it's easier to ride because you don't have to shift. Of course it's going to be faster. It's less work to ride. No missed shifts, no engine bogs due to poor gear selection.

It's a super fast Powerwheel.
yz133rider
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yz133rider 6/8/2017 8:42pm
6/8/2017 8:42pm
I gotta snag a ride on one of these! So interested!
loftyair
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loftyair 6/8/2017 8:47pm
6/8/2017 8:47pm
When that thing is just a bit more powerful, weighs 30# less, and costs half as much, I will own one!
JMX82
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JMX82 6/8/2017 9:34pm
6/8/2017 9:34pm Edited Date/Time 6/8/2017 11:13pm
Silas444 wrote:
Just curious - before you decided it would be better if the bike looked like a clone of everything else out there, did you even ponder...
Just curious - before you decided it would be better if the bike looked like a clone of everything else out there, did you even ponder why a "modern race bike" has all that plastic hanging off the back of it in the first place? Answer: an exhaust. A very HOT exhaust. Which the Alta doesn't have. Ugh. We need MORE unique looking bikes, not LESS.
I think current design has too small area for race numbers and reminds me of early 80's Kawasaki's. Number plate design also doesn't match with front end design which has sharp angles. Bigger rear number plate would also protect your legs catching open area between rear wheel and number plate when you fall down...but that is just my opinion.
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colintrax 6/8/2017 9:58pm
6/8/2017 9:58pm
Juice_Mann wrote:
It's easier to ride faster on the bike you like more. Put a pro on those two bikes and the Yamaha is going to turn faster...
It's easier to ride faster on the bike you like more. Put a pro on those two bikes and the Yamaha is going to turn faster lap times all day long.
Blink
You know this how?
Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 6/8/2017 11:46pm
6/8/2017 11:46pm
ben990 wrote:
I did a lap time comparison tonight, my 2016 Yamaha YZ450F versus my 2017 Alta Redshift MX. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/06/08/199487/s1200_IMG_0564.jpg[/img] It was 4 laps on each at my...
I did a lap time comparison tonight, my 2016 Yamaha YZ450F versus my 2017 Alta Redshift MX.



It was 4 laps on each at my friend's practice track, and old school track with a lot of uphills and downhills, and rough. Here are the results:

2016 Yamaha YZ450F:
2:26.8
2:27.5
2:26.7
2:27.8

2017 Alta Redshift MX:
2:23.1
2:23.7
2:25.1
2:25.8

For me, the Alta is easier and faster in the corners. It is easier to be smoother and faster, and I make less mistakes on it. This thing still puts a big smile on my face.



Thanks for the detailed follow up Ben! Do you consider the track more of a big bike or small bike track? Any idea what kind of changes you would have to make to get the YZ's lap times down 3 seconds or more? A time machine?

The differences are stunning regardless. You still apparently haven't done any personal suspension setup?
ben990
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ben990 6/9/2017 4:56am
6/9/2017 4:56am
I would consider the track more of a small bike track.

I have done a little bit of suspension tweaking on the Alta. I adjusted the preload, and I went in a few clicks with the compression clickers for a firmer ride. I now have 73.5 miles on the Alta (maybe 5-7 hours?) and suspension feels pretty good.

As far as shifting, I have a Rekluse auto clutch in the YZ450F, and there is only one place I sometimes shift into 2nd on this track, a section similar to Unadilla's Screw U section. We call it Screwed By Kelly, after the owner of the track. I usually run the whole track in 3rd on a 450 or 500 two-stroke.

I did have to do some maintenance on the Alta yesterday - I had to tighten up the chain a smidge. Smile It is nice not having to think about air filters and engine oil!

Gonna do a Friday morning moto in a little bit, just because I can, and then off to the MX races on Sunday. Those +40 and +50 guys won't here me coming... Smile


ruy
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ruy 6/9/2017 6:33am
6/9/2017 6:33am
It's curios the Yankees are not able to make a competitive gasoline dirt bike and yet they are leaders with this electric bike.
I hope that next year are available in Europe and that I can make Enduro, Street and MX, with the smalls change for every thing, but the same bike.
I ride the electric KTM some times and it is great to be in the forest, not to make noise and that no one hears you.


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Johnny Depp 6/9/2017 6:55am
6/9/2017 6:55am
ben990 wrote:
I would consider the track more of a small bike track. I have done a little bit of suspension tweaking on the Alta. I adjusted the...
I would consider the track more of a small bike track.

I have done a little bit of suspension tweaking on the Alta. I adjusted the preload, and I went in a few clicks with the compression clickers for a firmer ride. I now have 73.5 miles on the Alta (maybe 5-7 hours?) and suspension feels pretty good.

As far as shifting, I have a Rekluse auto clutch in the YZ450F, and there is only one place I sometimes shift into 2nd on this track, a section similar to Unadilla's Screw U section. We call it Screwed By Kelly, after the owner of the track. I usually run the whole track in 3rd on a 450 or 500 two-stroke.

I did have to do some maintenance on the Alta yesterday - I had to tighten up the chain a smidge. Smile It is nice not having to think about air filters and engine oil!

Gonna do a Friday morning moto in a little bit, just because I can, and then off to the MX races on Sunday. Those +40 and +50 guys won't here me coming... Smile


A mostly 3rd gear track on a 450 seems pretty normal, kinda right in the middle. What can you tell us about your riding time and the battery usage so far? Good luck with your MX race, I bet you won't miss a corner like the scramble.Cool
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Micahdogg 6/9/2017 8:17am
6/9/2017 8:17am
ben990 wrote:
I would consider the track more of a small bike track. I have done a little bit of suspension tweaking on the Alta. I adjusted the...
I would consider the track more of a small bike track.

I have done a little bit of suspension tweaking on the Alta. I adjusted the preload, and I went in a few clicks with the compression clickers for a firmer ride. I now have 73.5 miles on the Alta (maybe 5-7 hours?) and suspension feels pretty good.

As far as shifting, I have a Rekluse auto clutch in the YZ450F, and there is only one place I sometimes shift into 2nd on this track, a section similar to Unadilla's Screw U section. We call it Screwed By Kelly, after the owner of the track. I usually run the whole track in 3rd on a 450 or 500 two-stroke.

I did have to do some maintenance on the Alta yesterday - I had to tighten up the chain a smidge. Smile It is nice not having to think about air filters and engine oil!

Gonna do a Friday morning moto in a little bit, just because I can, and then off to the MX races on Sunday. Those +40 and +50 guys won't here me coming... Smile


Good point on the chain. It will be interesting to see how hard that Alta is on tires and chains.

Pit Row

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Micahdogg
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Micahdogg 6/9/2017 8:20am
6/9/2017 8:20am Edited Date/Time 6/9/2017 8:20am
Oh as for the design of the rear tail section...I see a lot of room to stash some tools, parts, bottle of water, etc.... Storage space is a premium for us woods guys. Just finding a place for a wrench and spare plug can be a pain. That bike has a lot of marketability for a cross country model.
F451
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F451 6/9/2017 8:28am
6/9/2017 8:28am
Micahdogg wrote:
Oh as for the design of the rear tail section...I see a lot of room to stash some tools, parts, bottle of water, etc.... Storage space...
Oh as for the design of the rear tail section...I see a lot of room to stash some tools, parts, bottle of water, etc.... Storage space is a premium for us woods guys. Just finding a place for a wrench and spare plug can be a pain. That bike has a lot of marketability for a cross country model.
Good point and one I had not considered!
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nc_mx_kid 6/9/2017 8:41am
6/9/2017 8:41am
congrats on the new dirtbike and thanks for the write up
MotoSeat
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MotoSeat 6/9/2017 9:07am
6/9/2017 9:07am Edited Date/Time 6/9/2017 9:07am
Well we now have Ribbed seat covers for the ALTA.



ktm212
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ktm212 6/9/2017 9:11am
6/9/2017 9:11am
JMX82 wrote:
I really like Alta bikes and I wish they will be available in Europe soon. One thing I don't like about the bike is the styling...
I really like Alta bikes and I wish they will be available in Europe soon. One thing I don't like about the bike is the styling of the rear end. I did crude "Photoshop" how I think it should look to make it look more like modern race bike.



Silas444 wrote:
Just curious - before you decided it would be better if the bike looked like a clone of everything else out there, did you even ponder...
Just curious - before you decided it would be better if the bike looked like a clone of everything else out there, did you even ponder why a "modern race bike" has all that plastic hanging off the back of it in the first place? Answer: an exhaust. A very HOT exhaust. Which the Alta doesn't have. Ugh. We need MORE unique looking bikes, not LESS.
Some Pre-prints and a graphics kit and it makes it look quite a bit more aggressive, maybe you'd like this better.


Juice_Mann 6/9/2017 9:16am
6/9/2017 9:16am
Juice_Mann wrote:
It's easier to ride faster on the bike you like more. Put a pro on those two bikes and the Yamaha is going to turn faster...
It's easier to ride faster on the bike you like more. Put a pro on those two bikes and the Yamaha is going to turn faster lap times all day long.
colintrax wrote:
Blink
You know this how?
Maybe I'm being out of line? I'm all for the electric bike movement. Just from what I've heard the Alta isn't quite "there" yet.
Flatliner
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Flatliner 6/9/2017 9:27am
6/9/2017 9:27am
Juice_Mann wrote:
It's easier to ride faster on the bike you like more. Put a pro on those two bikes and the Yamaha is going to turn faster...
It's easier to ride faster on the bike you like more. Put a pro on those two bikes and the Yamaha is going to turn faster lap times all day long.
colintrax wrote:
Blink
You know this how?
Juice_Mann wrote:
Maybe I'm being out of line? I'm all for the electric bike movement. Just from what I've heard the Alta isn't quite "there" yet.
You could be right but real world user reviews are saying otherwise.

It's a little expensive right now but that's to be expected.

mark911
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mark911 6/9/2017 9:51am
6/9/2017 9:51am
MotoSeat wrote:
Well we now have Ribbed seat covers for the ALTA. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/06/09/199547/s1200_ALTA.jpg[/img]
Well we now have Ribbed seat covers for the ALTA.





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Johnny Depp 6/9/2017 10:15am
6/9/2017 10:15am Edited Date/Time 6/9/2017 12:29pm
MotoSeat wrote:
Well we now have Ribbed seat covers for the ALTA. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/06/09/199547/s1200_ALTA.jpg[/img]
Well we now have Ribbed seat covers for the ALTA.



mark911 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/06/09/199562/s1200_image.jpg[/img]


Hey wait a minute, it's not the seat we need to know about, but that kit suspension is a must know! Now if you can go do some laps over at Ben's track and time them with the suspension changes we might have grounds to ban you from competition for running a cheater bikeUnsure
ben990
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ben990 6/9/2017 10:21am
6/9/2017 10:21am Edited Date/Time 6/9/2017 10:24am
My 13 year old son is home from school today because of a broken collarbone and can't go on his field trip. I had him take some footage of me. He did it for 15 minutes, and then went in the house. I rode for another 20 minutes, and when I came back into the house he had put this together. Not my first choice of music but still pretty cool. I couldn't belive he did the whole thing in 20 minutes:



Man, I look slow in spots! I asked him if he slowed the video down, and he said that he did have a couple slow-motions in there. Maybe I will see if he can spped things up!
Steve125
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Steve125 6/9/2017 10:29am
6/9/2017 10:29am
mark911 wrote:
You can hear the engine just fine! The whine it makes is quite distinctive and also very speed dependent. By necessity the torque output at lower...
You can hear the engine just fine! The whine it makes is quite distinctive and also very speed dependent. By necessity the torque output at lower RPMs is somewhat restricted, but the power builds very quickly after that with an audible sensation not unlike a good 2 stroke coming on the pipe. However, this thing revs to 14k with enough room. The hard part is getting past that engrained feeling like you're going to blow the thing up, hang on and let it rip!

Which brings me to one of the unique characteristics of the bike, no transmission! With the Alta, the more you turn the throttle the faster the engine spins (translated, the more torque is applied) and the faster you go. Simple as that. So throttle position controls both torque AND speed. On a conventional bike with a transmission (electric or gas) you have a means to decouple speed from torque.

For example you mentioned jumps. My riding preference is to use speed and not torque to clear them. I'd typically accelerate up to the jump (high torque) and then shift up to lower my torque but keep my speed. I just feel more in control that way. With the Alta I can't do this. I'm kinda stuck with whatever torque the motor needs to maintain the necessary speed, even if it's way more (or less) than I want. This is not to be confused with engine/motor braking, which Alta has managed to replicate quite will.

The lack of a transmission eliminates one control variable at the riders disposal. In general I feel the advantage of not having to manage this tool outweighs the disadvantages, I just need to re-learn a few old riding habits.

In regards to charging time, with a 220 volt generator I can pretty much top off the battery from practice in about 30 minutes. Between motos about 1 hour from 25% to full charge. Frankly, you probably don't want to race below 20% battery anyway as voltage sag will reduce performance.




Would you consider the Engine (Motor) braking to be more like a 2 stroke, or a 4? Is the motor more free or more "break your wrist" when you chop the throttl.. I mean Dimmer switch?
ktm212
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ktm212 6/9/2017 10:46am
6/9/2017 10:46am
Steve125 wrote:
Would you consider the Engine (Motor) braking to be more like a 2 stroke, or a 4? Is the motor more free or more "break your...
Would you consider the Engine (Motor) braking to be more like a 2 stroke, or a 4? Is the motor more free or more "break your wrist" when you chop the throttl.. I mean Dimmer switch?
It definitely is more 4-stroke like in the fact you can't gas and coast like a 2 stroke. I spent about an hour on-and-off on my turn track last night with one and the engine brake was not as heavy as a 4 stroke downshift like I normally would do entering turns but its fairly significant. This was the first real time I spent on it and it will definitely take some getting used to, suspension more set up, and maybe a better front tire but all in all its very user friendly. Practicing starts was a whole lot easier too! haha

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