Would AJ's ride made a difference on Alta's outcome if 2 years ago?

flykay
Posts
89
Joined
1/5/2013
Location
SE
Edited Date/Time 11/12/2020 1:26pm
I just saw AJ Catanzaro's clip on youtube when he tests a Alta MXR. Sound as he is super impressed and I must say he looks good on it. Even if I love 2-strokes and would hate seeing them go, I guess electric is the future. Maybe not in the next 10 years or so but still. I wont mind shredding a smaller SX style track on one. When I saw this and got inspired, it had me wonder, if this clip and other similar that makes us wanna have one, would it have changed the outcome for Alta?
Or is it just me and there are hundreds of films like this already?
I like AJ, check out the film here;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViHaPiTsMvI
14
10
|
yz133rider
Posts
5029
Joined
8/1/2013
Location
Avondale, PA, USA
10/18/2020 3:27pm
If Alta would have not gotten involved with hd they’d likely be around still.
43
7
blockhead17
Posts
2831
Joined
6/13/2018
Location
Tokyo, JP
10/18/2020 3:51pm
I’m bummed, I was a huge fan of the company and the whole electric movement. This company did an incredible job at producing a motorcycle so competitive straight away. Hill on it at straight rhythm was soooo cool!
8
4
RMT
Posts
1269
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Chicagoland, IL, USA
10/18/2020 3:52pm
They were a little pricey also.
5
2
loftyair
Posts
2904
Joined
7/3/2009
Location
riverside, CA, USA
10/18/2020 3:56pm
The HD thing, and being located where they were made the price way higher than anywhere else.
1
1

The Shop

Skylebones
Posts
51
Joined
2/26/2018
Location
Marietta, GA, USA
10/18/2020 4:03pm
I'm honestly excited about electric bikes only because we've had so many local tracks close because of noise issues. If that fixes the problem and more tracks stay open, sign me up!
25
3
Fourth_Floor
Posts
978
Joined
7/13/2016
Location
Saint Marys, PA, USA
10/18/2020 4:49pm
I've had my Alta for a year now. 100% without a doubt the best bike I've ever owned period. Once I got the suspension dialed, I have zero complaints. The bike is extremely fun to ride, confidence inspiring and is FAST!! Every time I've switched bikes with someone to let them try it out, I felt like I was riding something vintage. Gas motors feel clunky and a bit odd now compared to the clean and crisp power delivery of the Alta.
12
5
colintrax
Posts
4695
Joined
8/25/2015
Location
Taylorsville, GA, USA
10/18/2020 4:52pm
AJ isn't big enough, or influential enough to sell any large amount of them.
But yeah the Alta bikes were/are cool.
7
JM485
Posts
5812
Joined
10/1/2013
Location
Davis, CA, USA
10/18/2020 5:22pm
Lack of sales was not Alta’s problem
12
10/18/2020 5:52pm
I have 6 acres. I have the freedom to ride whatever I want.
Imo Electric Dirt bikes are the future. Just based off of The restrictions of sound alone. It’s a real problem in lots of areas. The Human population in general are bigger whiners. It’s called progression....😏
I’d buy a first year model if Honda produces that prototype.
Alta was amazing, to say overpriced for a premium/Leander in the market brand is a real stretch. After working at a H-D dealership I think H-D could drag any brand down. 800#’s of chrome per unit....

Ghost
16
2
-MAVERICK-
Posts
66980
Joined
3/26/2015
Location
Ontario, CA
10/18/2020 6:02pm
No.
9
3
Flatliner
Posts
4252
Joined
11/3/2009
Location
CA
10/18/2020 6:03pm
Honda has one in the pipeline. 🤷🏻‍♂️
6
Sawfish
Posts
789
Joined
6/8/2013
Location
Las Vegas, NV, USA
10/18/2020 7:23pm
Skylebones wrote:
I'm honestly excited about electric bikes only because we've had so many local tracks close because of noise issues. If that fixes the problem and more...
I'm honestly excited about electric bikes only because we've had so many local tracks close because of noise issues. If that fixes the problem and more tracks stay open, sign me up!
They’ll complain about dust next. Even if there isn’t any. Or some endangered lizard.
16
1
mikec265
Posts
1668
Joined
10/19/2015
Location
Edinboro, PA, USA
10/18/2020 8:14pm
No. Josh Hill riding an Alta at Straight Rhythm didn't do it either. On a related note, there is now a Loretta Lynn's class for the KTM/Husky electric minis.
If you read between the lines, Alta didn't have enough pull on the rule makers, but KTM did. Cobra is supposed to be in on that too, but the bikes are not available yet.
5
abomination
Posts
708
Joined
1/9/2016
Location
SLC, UT, USA
10/18/2020 8:20pm Edited Date/Time 10/18/2020 8:33pm
yz133rider wrote:
If Alta would have not gotten involved with hd they’d likely be around still.
why does this pure speculation get admired? @yz133rider, what about getting a potential investor likely caused their downfall, since you must know?
3
Zoom
Posts
1394
Joined
10/21/2012
Location
Cypress, TX, USA
10/18/2020 8:22pm
I was a Regional Manager for Alta and trust me HD was not the downfall of Alta.

There was an agreement between Alta and HD for Alta to build an entry level bike for Harley. The deal went sideways and the deal broke up. There was another OE that came into the picture and was interested in doing a 100% acquisition of Alta. We were pumped. It looked like a great deal.

After that OE saw the bleeding, they pulled the plug on the deal. Many investors were interested but the bleeding was too great at that point.

It was really hard for a high tech, start up, dirt bike company based in Silicon Valley to sell enough units to pay the bills. We were selling one product, a dirt bike. If that same dirt bike was branded as a Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha and had ATV's, UTV's, street bikes, other dirt bikes, lawn mowers, generators etc. also being sold it would have worked.

I truly believe that if Alta could have made it to 2020, with the help of the pandemic and people getting outdoors more on trails and tracks with dirt bikes sales going through the roof, they would have made it.

I loved the bike, the company, the people and my job. No regrets. Well, one. Wish I would have kept at least one of my 5 demos!
44
1
flykay
Posts
89
Joined
1/5/2013
Location
SE
10/19/2020 1:02am
Zoom wrote:
I was a Regional Manager for Alta and trust me HD was not the downfall of Alta. There was an agreement between Alta and HD for...
I was a Regional Manager for Alta and trust me HD was not the downfall of Alta.

There was an agreement between Alta and HD for Alta to build an entry level bike for Harley. The deal went sideways and the deal broke up. There was another OE that came into the picture and was interested in doing a 100% acquisition of Alta. We were pumped. It looked like a great deal.

After that OE saw the bleeding, they pulled the plug on the deal. Many investors were interested but the bleeding was too great at that point.

It was really hard for a high tech, start up, dirt bike company based in Silicon Valley to sell enough units to pay the bills. We were selling one product, a dirt bike. If that same dirt bike was branded as a Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha and had ATV's, UTV's, street bikes, other dirt bikes, lawn mowers, generators etc. also being sold it would have worked.

I truly believe that if Alta could have made it to 2020, with the help of the pandemic and people getting outdoors more on trails and tracks with dirt bikes sales going through the roof, they would have made it.

I loved the bike, the company, the people and my job. No regrets. Well, one. Wish I would have kept at least one of my 5 demos!
Thanks for sharing that Zoom. Its sad that so many blame HD then.
So your opinion is solely towards the tough challenge business wise,start up etc or where there also factors as location and being in California?
2
flykay
Posts
89
Joined
1/5/2013
Location
SE
10/19/2020 1:08am
mikec265 wrote:
No. Josh Hill riding an Alta at Straight Rhythm didn't do it either. On a related note, there is now a Loretta Lynn's class for the...
No. Josh Hill riding an Alta at Straight Rhythm didn't do it either. On a related note, there is now a Loretta Lynn's class for the KTM/Husky electric minis.
If you read between the lines, Alta didn't have enough pull on the rule makers, but KTM did. Cobra is supposed to be in on that too, but the bikes are not available yet.
I watched RBSR and Hill, and it was awesome. I also saw some other films with riding by Hill and others. I just feel in hindsight that it was early and people like us where skeptical and many probably felt that videos and reviews was biased. I really liked the way AJ presented it (also with the generator on the truck 😂 ).
Its sure great that KTM/Husky and also Cobra has the minibikes going! 👍
1
MudPup545
Posts
1700
Joined
11/14/2014
Location
Imlay City, MI, USA
10/19/2020 1:56am
I have 6 acres. I have the freedom to ride whatever I want. Imo Electric Dirt bikes are the future. Just based off of The restrictions...
I have 6 acres. I have the freedom to ride whatever I want.
Imo Electric Dirt bikes are the future. Just based off of The restrictions of sound alone. It’s a real problem in lots of areas. The Human population in general are bigger whiners. It’s called progression....😏
I’d buy a first year model if Honda produces that prototype.
Alta was amazing, to say overpriced for a premium/Leander in the market brand is a real stretch. After working at a H-D dealership I think H-D could drag any brand down. 800#’s of chrome per unit....

Ghost
Brand new ORV park just opened here in Michigan a few weeks ago. Already has a big chunk that is now off limits to dirt bikes. Reason? Noise complaints.
1
Zoom
Posts
1394
Joined
10/21/2012
Location
Cypress, TX, USA
10/19/2020 6:13am
Zoom wrote:
I was a Regional Manager for Alta and trust me HD was not the downfall of Alta. There was an agreement between Alta and HD for...
I was a Regional Manager for Alta and trust me HD was not the downfall of Alta.

There was an agreement between Alta and HD for Alta to build an entry level bike for Harley. The deal went sideways and the deal broke up. There was another OE that came into the picture and was interested in doing a 100% acquisition of Alta. We were pumped. It looked like a great deal.

After that OE saw the bleeding, they pulled the plug on the deal. Many investors were interested but the bleeding was too great at that point.

It was really hard for a high tech, start up, dirt bike company based in Silicon Valley to sell enough units to pay the bills. We were selling one product, a dirt bike. If that same dirt bike was branded as a Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha and had ATV's, UTV's, street bikes, other dirt bikes, lawn mowers, generators etc. also being sold it would have worked.

I truly believe that if Alta could have made it to 2020, with the help of the pandemic and people getting outdoors more on trails and tracks with dirt bikes sales going through the roof, they would have made it.

I loved the bike, the company, the people and my job. No regrets. Well, one. Wish I would have kept at least one of my 5 demos!
flykay wrote:
Thanks for sharing that Zoom. Its sad that so many blame HD then. So your opinion is solely towards the tough challenge business wise,start up etc...
Thanks for sharing that Zoom. Its sad that so many blame HD then.
So your opinion is solely towards the tough challenge business wise,start up etc or where there also factors as location and being in California?
Harley was an easy target and had history with their partnership with Beull.

Yes, being based in Silicon Valley made it difficult, but it also helped attract a group of engineers from Tesla that joined the team early to help create the battery.back.

The Alta battery was the secret sauce. It was the most powerful compact battery in transportation in the world.
8
Spudnut
Posts
1943
Joined
6/25/2018
Location
USA
10/19/2020 9:02am
I doubt it
1
gt80rider
Posts
7139
Joined
4/19/2008
Location
Boulder, CO, USA
10/19/2020 9:23am
First off... electric is not new tech... its old.. super old... Tesla (the real one) was doing it back just after the turn of the 1900s...

Secondly.. its no cleaner than gas......

Third.... gas engines are MUCH easier to ride... electric has too much torque down low, making for an odd (yet fast) feel... feels fast from a dead stop, but that isn't an advantage...

Electric is the way those that run the show, want things to go now.... nothing more, nothing less.. this isn't zero point energy here....
6
26
10/19/2020 9:30am
I have 6 acres. I have the freedom to ride whatever I want. Imo Electric Dirt bikes are the future. Just based off of The restrictions...
I have 6 acres. I have the freedom to ride whatever I want.
Imo Electric Dirt bikes are the future. Just based off of The restrictions of sound alone. It’s a real problem in lots of areas. The Human population in general are bigger whiners. It’s called progression....😏
I’d buy a first year model if Honda produces that prototype.
Alta was amazing, to say overpriced for a premium/Leander in the market brand is a real stretch. After working at a H-D dealership I think H-D could drag any brand down. 800#’s of chrome per unit....

Ghost
MudPup545 wrote:
Brand new ORV park just opened here in Michigan a few weeks ago. Already has a big chunk that is now off limits to dirt bikes...
Brand new ORV park just opened here in Michigan a few weeks ago. Already has a big chunk that is now off limits to dirt bikes. Reason? Noise complaints.
Where is the new park?
1
Adam43
Posts
3311
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
WF
10/19/2020 10:08am
JM485 wrote:
Lack of sales was not Alta’s problem
The fact that they lost money on every sale certainly was, though.
Kebrock
Posts
46
Joined
5/3/2017
Location
Pinckney, MI, USA
10/19/2020 10:24am
I have 6 acres. I have the freedom to ride whatever I want. Imo Electric Dirt bikes are the future. Just based off of The restrictions...
I have 6 acres. I have the freedom to ride whatever I want.
Imo Electric Dirt bikes are the future. Just based off of The restrictions of sound alone. It’s a real problem in lots of areas. The Human population in general are bigger whiners. It’s called progression....😏
I’d buy a first year model if Honda produces that prototype.
Alta was amazing, to say overpriced for a premium/Leander in the market brand is a real stretch. After working at a H-D dealership I think H-D could drag any brand down. 800#’s of chrome per unit....

Ghost
MudPup545 wrote:
Brand new ORV park just opened here in Michigan a few weeks ago. Already has a big chunk that is now off limits to dirt bikes...
Brand new ORV park just opened here in Michigan a few weeks ago. Already has a big chunk that is now off limits to dirt bikes. Reason? Noise complaints.
Where is the new park?
Holly, MI
10/19/2020 10:42am
Skylebones wrote:
I'm honestly excited about electric bikes only because we've had so many local tracks close because of noise issues. If that fixes the problem and more...
I'm honestly excited about electric bikes only because we've had so many local tracks close because of noise issues. If that fixes the problem and more tracks stay open, sign me up!
Sawfish wrote:
They’ll complain about dust next. Even if there isn’t any. Or some endangered lizard.
Yup.This has been my argument from the beginning. You eliminate noise, they will complain about dust. Eliminate the dust issue, they will complain about destroying the ground. Eliminate that issue and they will continue to find the next thing to bitch about. It will never end no matter what we can possibly come up with to fix the last complaint.

People hate us and what we do. No way around it and it won't change.
6
1
yz133rider
Posts
5029
Joined
8/1/2013
Location
Avondale, PA, USA
10/19/2020 10:42am
gt80rider wrote:
First off... electric is not new tech... its old.. super old... Tesla (the real one) was doing it back just after the turn of the 1900s...
First off... electric is not new tech... its old.. super old... Tesla (the real one) was doing it back just after the turn of the 1900s...

Secondly.. its no cleaner than gas......

Third.... gas engines are MUCH easier to ride... electric has too much torque down low, making for an odd (yet fast) feel... feels fast from a dead stop, but that isn't an advantage...

Electric is the way those that run the show, want things to go now.... nothing more, nothing less.. this isn't zero point energy here....
Have you ridden one? I have, and it was incredibly easy to ride.
6

Post a reply to: Would AJ's ride made a difference on Alta's outcome if 2 years ago?

The Latest