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asking for a friend...
Now where I need work is getting mentally charged up for tracks that have big jumps. There were a few jumps at the race that I wasn't doing that cost me some time. The older I get the more old-school I get. Slow sigh. It seems like more and more I see a big jump and I make that decision not to do it - I lose 1-2 seconds a lap by not doing it, but on the positive side I potentially save myself 6 months in plaster! And I will be able to race next weekend.
I am coming up on 400 miles (maybe 20-30 hours) on this thing, and it is still awesome! I haven't cleaned an air filter or changed gearbox oil in 6 weeks, and I have probably ridden this thing 25 to 30 times or so.
I did have to perform some critical maintenance on it yesterday though... my left grip started to get a little loose, spinning slightly. I safety-wired it up, so I should be good to go now! I also noticed that one of my race numbers has started to peel up a bit, and one of my fork stickers has a chip in it. And I might as well torque the sprocket bolts too. Damn! More maintenance stuff coming up!
A video of Sunday's race will be coming soon - be patient and be careful sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for it!
Great read, thanks!
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I was going to ask you if i could take it for a spin for 20$ haha.
Ben, that track has some sizable step ups. Jumping a 270lb motorcycle is not something you want to do until you're very comfortable. I suspect the stock springs and valving are pretty soft for you. The more damping you can tolerate the more predicable the bike will leave the jump face and if you happen to land short it'll resist bottoming much better.
Some recent work on the new Alta this week. Shoot AEO Powersports a call in Mesa, AZ for info if you're looking to upgrade yours or have any questions on what you can do to these things!
Pit Row
That's a lot of torque to play with via the computer and power can be delivered in the most optimal way possible which results in, among other things, less wheel spin. Rotational mass and the gyroscopic effects from a crankshaft are also eliminated. No clutch to modulate the power delivery. Just a "throttle."
A lot of variables are removed with the Alta and the power delivery is entirely different so it definitely stands to reason that this is going to also change the way the suspension behaves.
They've had Nate Adams riding the Redshift on ramps. I'm very curious to see/hear/read how all of this changes how the bike can be manipulated in the air from the perspective of a professional FMX rider, where all the aforementioned dynamics of an internal combustion engine are used to their advantage to make the bike appear to defy physics.
This is cool stuff...
Easy enough to get used to.
Suspension valving too soft, turned the clickers in a bunch. Forks top out in whoop section.
Rear spring too stiff and I weigh 200 lbs. No preload and 98 mm sag.
Used about 60% battery for 1 moto. Recharged for 45 minutes while I took a break, barely enough juice to finish the 2nd moto. Map 2.
Struggles to jump the big jumps on my track, especially the 2 big uphill ones jumping up out of the lower elevation. I can easily over jump these on my Husky FC450.
Really my only concern after the initial ride is battery life. OTOH, I can now ignore my previous agreement with the neighbors to not ride on the weekends. 6 motos and practice at a race??? LOL
Battery life is better than my 1st impression, the battery must not have been fully charged the 1st time (but the meter showed full). It takes just under 50% for one of my motos. Map 3 is better than map 2, doesn't seem to use any more battery and has more hit on the bottom. Bike is really easy to hit cornering lines with, especially on off cambers. In loose turns though the front tire will wash out. The bike hides it's weight until you bobble going slow, then it's heavy. Still struggling with the suspension, it's going to need some work for sure.
I like map 3 the best, but I will switch to map 2 if the track is really rough, or if it is slick.
I have raced my Alta several times in local motocross and GP style events, and on some tracks/courses the suspension worked well, and on others I ran into the limitations of the suspension. I am 51 years old, 215-220 pounds, and ride at the vet intermediate level.
I just put heavier springs on my Alta, both front and rear, and it feels a lot better now, less wallowly (is that a word?) and the forks don't dive like they used to. I am racing it in a GP race (2 30 minute motos on an mx track with woods sections) this Sunday so I will be able to see how the suspension works with the new springs in race conditions.
And accessing the rear shock was awesome. Three bolts and I was here:
Two more bolts and the shock was off.
I asked this before but I'm convinced not many read anything I say on here...
As far as sand, I haven't ridden it on a track that was all sand, but I have ridden on a track where a couple of corners are sandy and it feels good. Cornering is where the Alta feels better than other bikes I have ridden - it is quick and nimble, and you always have the right amount of power on tap. I feel smoother and more in control.
https://youtu.be/aoBtcj7LUeY?t=3m42s
Once you get the right spring you'll know more. Subscribed for the rest of the story.
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