Bad news on Alta

Kanewel433
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Summerville, SC US
10/24/2018 10:42am
Moto96 wrote:
Electric is a hard sell to motorsport enthusiasts. Check out the crowd excitement over electric. I get excited just to hear a F1 car start.

https://youtu.be/ywR4AYqPXz4
If this video doesn't explain the reason for them closing, then no answer will suffice.

Long live internal combustion.
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barnett468
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10/24/2018 11:06am
BobKerr wrote:
Bad news, but I am not surprised. The technology and cost just isn't there yet. Until an electric bike can run longer than the rider is...
Bad news, but I am not surprised. The technology and cost just isn't there yet. Until an electric bike can run longer than the rider is able to last, and cost the same as a gas bike, they just won't be bought in volume. It will happen though one day in the future.
"Bad news, but I am not surprised."

Me neither,
10/24/2018 11:32am Edited Date/Time 10/24/2018 11:33am
I went out riding yesterday after work on MTB single track with my MXR. I live in a very populated part of San Diego. I simply rode out of my garage, through my neighborhood, and into the MTB trails. I disturbed no one, and in fact got a lot of thumbs up from random onlookers as i was riding around the valley. I even impressed a few MTB'ers and i was joking around that I was going to buy a full suspension mountain bike, but decided to buy this instead for more-or-less the same price. They were jealous. I only used about 1/4 battery in about an hour of ripping around MTB single track, which included some hill climbs.

Try that with your ICE bike. You wouldn't last 1 minute before annoying the hell out of someone.
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38special
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US
10/24/2018 11:44am
I went out riding yesterday after work on MTB single track with my MXR. I live in a very populated part of San Diego. I simply...
I went out riding yesterday after work on MTB single track with my MXR. I live in a very populated part of San Diego. I simply rode out of my garage, through my neighborhood, and into the MTB trails. I disturbed no one, and in fact got a lot of thumbs up from random onlookers as i was riding around the valley. I even impressed a few MTB'ers and i was joking around that I was going to buy a full suspension mountain bike, but decided to buy this instead for more-or-less the same price. They were jealous. I only used about 1/4 battery in about an hour of ripping around MTB single track, which included some hill climbs.

Try that with your ICE bike. You wouldn't last 1 minute before annoying the hell out of someone.
Wow... around here, you'd get zero thumbs-up from "onlookers" if you were riding a motocross bike on MTB single track. I'll leave it at that.
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The Shop

Moto96
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10/24/2018 12:05pm
I went out riding yesterday after work on MTB single track with my MXR. I live in a very populated part of San Diego. I simply...
I went out riding yesterday after work on MTB single track with my MXR. I live in a very populated part of San Diego. I simply rode out of my garage, through my neighborhood, and into the MTB trails. I disturbed no one, and in fact got a lot of thumbs up from random onlookers as i was riding around the valley. I even impressed a few MTB'ers and i was joking around that I was going to buy a full suspension mountain bike, but decided to buy this instead for more-or-less the same price. They were jealous. I only used about 1/4 battery in about an hour of ripping around MTB single track, which included some hill climbs.

Try that with your ICE bike. You wouldn't last 1 minute before annoying the hell out of someone.
38special wrote:
Wow... around here, you'd get zero thumbs-up from "onlookers" if you were riding a motocross bike on MTB single track. I'll leave it at that.
Alot of areas even Electric MTB's are banned. Anything "Motorized"
3
Sharc
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OH US
10/24/2018 12:57pm
Moto96 wrote:
Electric is a hard sell to motorsport enthusiasts. Check out the crowd excitement over electric. I get excited just to hear a F1 car start.

https://youtu.be/ywR4AYqPXz4
Kanewel433 wrote:
If this video doesn't explain the reason for them closing, then no answer will suffice. Long live internal combustion.
If this video doesn't explain the reason for them closing, then no answer will suffice.

Long live internal combustion.
I don't see this as relevant.
F-1 is pretty close to the highest level of Motorsport - Moto, pretty close to the the bottom

Alta was making bikes for you and me. Not the crowd.
Easy to ride and neighborhood friendly.

Moto is a participant sport - we buy the bikes & we ride them. We participate.
Moto is not about "the crowd"

F-1 - well ....
How many participate?
How many can pony up and purchase a car ?
How many could even drive it? Or fit in the cockpit?
F-1 needs the noise - so the "fans" can relate.

Spectator (the crowd) sport VS Participant Sport

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1
10/24/2018 1:08pm
Sharc wrote:
I don't see this as relevant. F-1 is pretty close to the highest level of Motorsport - Moto, pretty close to the the bottom Alta was...
I don't see this as relevant.
F-1 is pretty close to the highest level of Motorsport - Moto, pretty close to the the bottom

Alta was making bikes for you and me. Not the crowd.
Easy to ride and neighborhood friendly.

Moto is a participant sport - we buy the bikes & we ride them. We participate.
Moto is not about "the crowd"

F-1 - well ....
How many participate?
How many can pony up and purchase a car ?
How many could even drive it? Or fit in the cockpit?
F-1 needs the noise - so the "fans" can relate.

Spectator (the crowd) sport VS Participant Sport

Man, you hit the nail on the head. +1
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newmann
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10/24/2018 1:35pm
Sharc wrote:
I don't see this as relevant. F-1 is pretty close to the highest level of Motorsport - Moto, pretty close to the the bottom Alta was...
I don't see this as relevant.
F-1 is pretty close to the highest level of Motorsport - Moto, pretty close to the the bottom

Alta was making bikes for you and me. Not the crowd.
Easy to ride and neighborhood friendly.

Moto is a participant sport - we buy the bikes & we ride them. We participate.
Moto is not about "the crowd"

F-1 - well ....
How many participate?
How many can pony up and purchase a car ?
How many could even drive it? Or fit in the cockpit?
F-1 needs the noise - so the "fans" can relate.

Spectator (the crowd) sport VS Participant Sport

Man, you hit the nail on the head. +1
Meh, he only partially hit that nail. How many fans in the stands at the SX races actually own, ride and race bikes? Take all those bikes and replace them with e-bikes and see what the result is with those 50,000 fans per event.

He did hit it square on the head about the Alta being neighborhood friendly which is one of the main things I keep pointing out. But liking the Alta for reasons other than the Kool Aid drinkers gets you called names around here.Laughing

10/24/2018 1:43pm
If someone would have just given that one dude Harley Davidsons CEO contact info we wouldn’t be in this mess
Tarz483 wrote:
Where can i find that thread ?
I must have missed it, sounds like a good one.
1
GrapeApe
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Mc Kinney, TX US
10/24/2018 1:56pm
I went out riding yesterday after work on MTB single track with my MXR. I live in a very populated part of San Diego. I simply...
I went out riding yesterday after work on MTB single track with my MXR. I live in a very populated part of San Diego. I simply rode out of my garage, through my neighborhood, and into the MTB trails. I disturbed no one, and in fact got a lot of thumbs up from random onlookers as i was riding around the valley. I even impressed a few MTB'ers and i was joking around that I was going to buy a full suspension mountain bike, but decided to buy this instead for more-or-less the same price. They were jealous. I only used about 1/4 battery in about an hour of ripping around MTB single track, which included some hill climbs.

Try that with your ICE bike. You wouldn't last 1 minute before annoying the hell out of someone.
38special wrote:
Wow... around here, you'd get zero thumbs-up from "onlookers" if you were riding a motocross bike on MTB single track. I'll leave it at that.
Around here he'd have his ass beat within minutes. Sound has zero to do with why mountain bikers don't want motorcycles on single track.




3
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Sharc
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10/24/2018 1:59pm Edited Date/Time 10/24/2018 2:06pm
newmann wrote:
Meh, he only partially hit that nail. How many fans in the stands at the SX races actually own, ride and race bikes? Take all those...
Meh, he only partially hit that nail. How many fans in the stands at the SX races actually own, ride and race bikes? Take all those bikes and replace them with e-bikes and see what the result is with those 50,000 fans per event.

He did hit it square on the head about the Alta being neighborhood friendly which is one of the main things I keep pointing out. But liking the Alta for reasons other than the Kool Aid drinkers gets you called names around here.Laughing

Fans at a show is even more irrelevant.

So you're saying people in a stadium to watch SX = Bike Sales ?

This sport has shown time & time again that what wins on Sunday WILL NOT equate to an increase in sales.
The RMZ 450 is WAY more successful in SX than the CRF-450.

Plus -
How many of those people rode (or owned a bike) before going to a show?
How many went to a show and then ran out and bought a bike ?
How many would quit riding if SX (the Show) went away ? .....
Come on ' ....

How much money will Honda, Kaw, Suz, Yam, KTM & Husky see from those 50,000 SX fans ?
I'm pretty sure it's Feld getting your money at a SX - Not the OEM's ?
2
newmann
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10/24/2018 4:19pm
newmann wrote:
Meh, he only partially hit that nail. How many fans in the stands at the SX races actually own, ride and race bikes? Take all those...
Meh, he only partially hit that nail. How many fans in the stands at the SX races actually own, ride and race bikes? Take all those bikes and replace them with e-bikes and see what the result is with those 50,000 fans per event.

He did hit it square on the head about the Alta being neighborhood friendly which is one of the main things I keep pointing out. But liking the Alta for reasons other than the Kool Aid drinkers gets you called names around here.Laughing

Sharc wrote:
Fans at a show is even more irrelevant. So you're saying people in a stadium to watch SX = Bike Sales ? This sport has shown...
Fans at a show is even more irrelevant.

So you're saying people in a stadium to watch SX = Bike Sales ?

This sport has shown time & time again that what wins on Sunday WILL NOT equate to an increase in sales.
The RMZ 450 is WAY more successful in SX than the CRF-450.

Plus -
How many of those people rode (or owned a bike) before going to a show?
How many went to a show and then ran out and bought a bike ?
How many would quit riding if SX (the Show) went away ? .....
Come on ' ....

How much money will Honda, Kaw, Suz, Yam, KTM & Husky see from those 50,000 SX fans ?
I'm pretty sure it's Feld getting your money at a SX - Not the OEM's ?
Those 50,000 fans would be demanding their money back from Feld if there were only e-bikes on the track.
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JM485
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Davis, CA US
10/24/2018 4:29pm
Let's keep a running talley here.

Reasons Alta's are good:
1. American made
2. Exponentially simpler mechanically than even a two stroke
3. Stealth factor
4. Small, versatile company made up of people who actually like motorcycles
5. Invests in racing
6. Extremely fun to ride
7. Almost zero maintenance required
8. Much more elegant engineering solution than a gas powered bike
9. Excellent handling
10. Extremely tunable for all skill levels

Reasons Alta's suck:
1. "Uhhhh, they don't make noise so it's gay. . ."


The inability for people to see past their nose is honestly disturbing to me sometimes.
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1
zehn
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Anchorage, AK US
10/24/2018 4:32pm
JM485 wrote:
Let's keep a running talley here. Reasons Alta's are good: 1. American made 2. Exponentially simpler mechanically than even a two stroke 3. Stealth factor 4...
Let's keep a running talley here.

Reasons Alta's are good:
1. American made
2. Exponentially simpler mechanically than even a two stroke
3. Stealth factor
4. Small, versatile company made up of people who actually like motorcycles
5. Invests in racing
6. Extremely fun to ride
7. Almost zero maintenance required
8. Much more elegant engineering solution than a gas powered bike
9. Excellent handling
10. Extremely tunable for all skill levels

Reasons Alta's suck:
1. "Uhhhh, they don't make noise so it's gay. . ."


The inability for people to see past their nose is honestly disturbing to me sometimes.
but but but muh braps....
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Moto96
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10/24/2018 5:36pm
Sharc wrote:
I don't see this as relevant. F-1 is pretty close to the highest level of Motorsport - Moto, pretty close to the the bottom Alta was...
I don't see this as relevant.
F-1 is pretty close to the highest level of Motorsport - Moto, pretty close to the the bottom

Alta was making bikes for you and me. Not the crowd.
Easy to ride and neighborhood friendly.

Moto is a participant sport - we buy the bikes & we ride them. We participate.
Moto is not about "the crowd"

F-1 - well ....
How many participate?
How many can pony up and purchase a car ?
How many could even drive it? Or fit in the cockpit?
F-1 needs the noise - so the "fans" can relate.

Spectator (the crowd) sport VS Participant Sport

Its relevant to motor sport enthusiasts. Go buy a Tesla. Nobody gives a shit when you pull away or even notices. You might as well be driving a Leaf or a Volt.

Go buy a F12 Berlinetta for example, all you have to do is start it, and everyone is checking that out. You can sound like an F1 car all day long.

RBSR and SX and Motocross would be dead with electric bikes.

2 strokes is the only thing lately breathing any excitement into this sport. Look at the 2 full threads of what 14-16 pages?
Plus 30 other threads.



2
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just James
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Wolf Creek, OR US
10/24/2018 5:46pm
JM485 wrote:
Let's keep a running talley here. Reasons Alta's are good: 1. American made 2. Exponentially simpler mechanically than even a two stroke 3. Stealth factor 4...
Let's keep a running talley here.

Reasons Alta's are good:
1. American made
2. Exponentially simpler mechanically than even a two stroke
3. Stealth factor
4. Small, versatile company made up of people who actually like motorcycles
5. Invests in racing
6. Extremely fun to ride
7. Almost zero maintenance required
8. Much more elegant engineering solution than a gas powered bike
9. Excellent handling
10. Extremely tunable for all skill levels

Reasons Alta's suck:
1. "Uhhhh, they don't make noise so it's gay. . ."


The inability for people to see past their nose is honestly disturbing to me sometimes.
You were doing pretty good until #8. Have you told your parents yet?
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slipdog
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10/24/2018 6:00pm
Generally, nothing good comes in a thread after 10 pages
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make1go
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10/24/2018 6:39pm
Tarz483 wrote:
Im wondering if I'm alone on this opinion But I have no interest in Seeing Different types or sizes of bikes race against each other I...
Im wondering if I'm alone on this opinion
But I have no interest in Seeing Different types or sizes of bikes race against each other
I want to see 450f vs other 450f
250f vs others on 250f
125 two stroke against other 125 two stroke .
And same for electric, I would only want to see others on electric, the point of a race to me is to put 2 or more people on similar equipment and then race to see who is the better rider or who is the better rider that day , am I the only one that thinks this way ?
Btw to clarify I'm not talking bad about any bikes
And I would like there to be electric personally
I just think they should have there own class
And then they will get out of the gate the same way.
there was a time when 125s raced 250s and 250s raced 450s.

cept the cc advantage was way to much,
but heres the kicker....
4t are much more expensive to rebuild
and some suposed "good guy of mx" was bought off to not change it back..

that some guy also apposed letting alta race pro, wonder why...??
1
1
JM485
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10/24/2018 8:19pm
JM485 wrote:
Let's keep a running talley here. Reasons Alta's are good: 1. American made 2. Exponentially simpler mechanically than even a two stroke 3. Stealth factor 4...
Let's keep a running talley here.

Reasons Alta's are good:
1. American made
2. Exponentially simpler mechanically than even a two stroke
3. Stealth factor
4. Small, versatile company made up of people who actually like motorcycles
5. Invests in racing
6. Extremely fun to ride
7. Almost zero maintenance required
8. Much more elegant engineering solution than a gas powered bike
9. Excellent handling
10. Extremely tunable for all skill levels

Reasons Alta's suck:
1. "Uhhhh, they don't make noise so it's gay. . ."


The inability for people to see past their nose is honestly disturbing to me sometimes.
just James wrote:
You were doing pretty good until #8. Have you told your parents yet?
Told them what, that I made it through engineering school and got myself a job so that I'm aware of the common language used in the field? You gotta do better than that chief.
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KB221
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10/24/2018 9:44pm
slipdog wrote:
Generally, nothing good comes in a thread after 10 pages
like this post
roninho
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10/25/2018 12:15am
Moto96 wrote:
Its relevant to motor sport enthusiasts. Go buy a Tesla. Nobody gives a shit when you pull away or even notices. You might as well be...
Its relevant to motor sport enthusiasts. Go buy a Tesla. Nobody gives a shit when you pull away or even notices. You might as well be driving a Leaf or a Volt.

Go buy a F12 Berlinetta for example, all you have to do is start it, and everyone is checking that out. You can sound like an F1 car all day long.

RBSR and SX and Motocross would be dead with electric bikes.

2 strokes is the only thing lately breathing any excitement into this sport. Look at the 2 full threads of what 14-16 pages?
Plus 30 other threads.



I own a 2 stroke and ride it every weekend. In addition i frequently attend gp's/dutch national mx races. I cannot imagine myself going to watch a MX race full of e-bikes (regurlarly, i will give it a shot, but can't imagine i like it without sound).

Having said that, the moment an electric bike becomes financially comparable to 125/250cc's (cost, resale value, parts availability) i will instantly buy one.

The reason is quite simple, due to noise i cannot ride a bike anywhere nearby. Last weekend i rode my bike for 2 days, in total a bit over 2 hours. I also had to drive my car a total of over 4 hours to get to and from the track. I can shoot a cannon from my house and won't hit a house, but the moment i ride my 125cc on our field i will have issues with the neighbours. With an e-bike me and my mates will simply rent a field nearby, create a track, get a permit (which you'll get) and ride anyday you want without bothering anybody.
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mpy
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10/25/2018 1:02am
I really prefer the sound of a steam engine...
just James
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10/25/2018 3:28am
JM485 wrote:
Let's keep a running talley here. Reasons Alta's are good: 1. American made 2. Exponentially simpler mechanically than even a two stroke 3. Stealth factor 4...
Let's keep a running talley here.

Reasons Alta's are good:
1. American made
2. Exponentially simpler mechanically than even a two stroke
3. Stealth factor
4. Small, versatile company made up of people who actually like motorcycles
5. Invests in racing
6. Extremely fun to ride
7. Almost zero maintenance required
8. Much more elegant engineering solution than a gas powered bike
9. Excellent handling
10. Extremely tunable for all skill levels

Reasons Alta's suck:
1. "Uhhhh, they don't make noise so it's gay. . ."


The inability for people to see past their nose is honestly disturbing to me sometimes.
just James wrote:
You were doing pretty good until #8. Have you told your parents yet?
JM485 wrote:
Told them what, that I made it through engineering school and got myself a job so that I'm aware of the common language used in the...
Told them what, that I made it through engineering school and got myself a job so that I'm aware of the common language used in the field? You gotta do better than that chief.
Just a little Vital style humor. No offense intended.
I am not in the market for a bike, but I would like to take a spin on an Alta. They seem like they would be fun.
Silas444
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Mid-state, ME US
10/25/2018 6:09am
newmann wrote:
Those 50,000 fans would be demanding their money back from Feld if there were only e-bikes on the track.
Hmmm - just curious - then why do NFL and NBA and MLB and MLS and NHL fans attend all those events? Could it be that ball-and-stick sports don't need engine noise to generate fan interest because the ATHLETICISM they're putting on display is inspiring enough? And if so, is there anyone out there who attends more than one motocross or supercross race who DOESN'T think the riders are displaying amazing athleticism? In other words: are we, or are we not, different from guys who race cars? Those guys NEED the noise, I think we can all agree on that, but do WE? Myself, I think not.
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seth505
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10/25/2018 6:55am
slipdog wrote:
Generally, nothing good comes in a thread after 10 pages
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Fourth_Floor
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Saint Marys, PA US
10/25/2018 7:00am
newmann wrote:
Those 50,000 fans would be demanding their money back from Feld if there were only e-bikes on the track.
Silas444 wrote:
Hmmm - just curious - then why do NFL and NBA and MLB and MLS and NHL fans attend all those events? Could it be that...
Hmmm - just curious - then why do NFL and NBA and MLB and MLS and NHL fans attend all those events? Could it be that ball-and-stick sports don't need engine noise to generate fan interest because the ATHLETICISM they're putting on display is inspiring enough? And if so, is there anyone out there who attends more than one motocross or supercross race who DOESN'T think the riders are displaying amazing athleticism? In other words: are we, or are we not, different from guys who race cars? Those guys NEED the noise, I think we can all agree on that, but do WE? Myself, I think not.
You can't compare it to stick and ball sports because they have been the same since their inception. If the players somehow magically starting making loud 2 or 4 stroke sounds and their farts made the stadium smell like race gas then a lot of die hard football and basketball fans are going to be bitching and finding a new sport to watch.

I'm a HUGE fan of Alta and the idea of electric bikes because it would allow me to ride more places (mostly illegal places) without being noticed and also be able to build a small practice track on my land that wouldn't be possible otherwise due to noise. That being said, I am not interested in seeing a complete takeover at the pro level nor can you expect the majority of moto fanatics to be open to that. The sound of a good running motor has been giving moto fans a chub since the inception of the sport. Sound is such a huge part of the sport and riders use it as their "voice" when on the track. I love the idea of electric bikes and I hope they stay a thing and the Japanese brands get on board but I have zero interest in watching a full gate of them zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz around a track.

Let's compare to stick and ball sports again. The early days of those sports the players looked like pretty average people and for the most part had dorky uniforms and weren't very intimidating. The guys now are monsters as training, exercise and diet have come leaps and bounds from their sports inception. People like to go and watch these physical freaks of nature compete with one another. Now lets take a look at motocross. The riders certainly don't look intimidating but the look of a modern 450 is to the average person and if they're contemplating taking it for a spin, once that thing is fired up, snarling like satan's hellhound and blowing your hat off from the exhaust back pressure you're definitely not getting on that death trap. You take the noise factor out of it, they're going to take 'er for a spin. People are attracted to watching shit that scares them and a full gate of ICE bikes revved to the moon is fucking intimidating and gets your heart rate up even if you're not on the gate, the sound does that. Ever hear someone panic revving over a jump? Your heart rate goes up and you're like "holy fuck look at that guy!!!!". You can't take that out, it just doesn't work any which way you try to flip it.
Moto96
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10/25/2018 7:17am Edited Date/Time 10/26/2018 5:16pm
Serious questions. How many watched RBSR on mute?

If you did not, would it have been as good on mute? Because thats what E Moto would sound like.
jonboy688
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10/25/2018 7:39am
i would like to mute Jeff and Ralph when sx is on!!
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seth505
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10/25/2018 8:40am
NO BUENO

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