Posts
2297
Joined
12/14/2010
Location
Charlotte, NC
US
Edited Date/Time
12/20/2022 8:42am
Hey guys. I raced my Alta MXR in the Open Expert class at Cahuilla this past weekend. Here's a good look at what its like to race an electric dirtbike against gas dirtbikes! Enjoy and let me know what you think.
Well done. I'm really looking forward to riding an electric.
I thought you were going to ass-end a couple of those guys!
Probably tough for them to tell when/how fast you are overtaking them when they can't hear your bike.
Yeah i talk about that at the end of the video. Definitely something to think about when racing an electric bike!
Nice- you look fast and smooth.
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Nice!
The lack of sound coming up on someone slower concerns me. Are there any rules against having a horn on an electric bike in amateur racing? Or some kind of noise maker that simulates a gas powered engine just while you are behind someone?
Since when is it the rider's in-front of you responsibility to get out of your way? I don't see it as a problem. If you crash into someone from behind, isn't it your fault?
I'm not saying the rider in front of an electric bike should get out of the way... i'm just saying currently riders know when another rider is breathing down his neck, and won't pretend he's the only rider on the track, or cross lines over a jump. Riders will generally hold there line and not do stupid shit when they know someone is behind them.
It would probably make it safer with no sound. Ive seen guys willing to die before they were gonna get passed on a normal practice day.
Yeah, i talk about this at this point of the video: https://youtu.be/7NxCGSGHyEo?t=3066
It does get sketchy coming up on slower riders. On an electric bike you have to really pay attention to what riders are doing ahead because they cannot hear you coming. In a race situation its great because you can sneak up on guys and pass them. However, when lapping much slower riders or passing much slower riders on a practice day, you do need to be careful. I resort to yelling "HEYYYYY" just to let riders know i'm coming or where i'm at.
Solution @ 2:10
Even on my 4t I've had to yell at people lmao. I really need to get out of the C class.
I actually had a second Alta at one point, but the EXR (enduro) version. I put MX suspension and a 19" rear tire on it and sent it on the Pala main track, honking the horn and stuff. Really fun
thats pretty cool! haha
But all I can picture in the future is 30 riders on a track honking their horns at each other to get out of the way. Kind of like NYC or LA during rush hour.....lol.
Maybe they can change the sound of the horn to a 2 stroke engine?
either you dubbed in 4 stroke sound or there was a guy right on your ass most of the time lol.
Yeah that was the quick 250f ripper i was battling with.
I’m more amazed at how much smoother that track is then what we race on the east coast.
When every bike on the track is electric (ie, an Electric-only class), riders will be able to hear each other just fine.
It's already happening with the mini E divisions on the KTMs.
Pit Row
Yeah I'm kinda jealous.
Haha, this is the Cahuilla Vet track. I don't really ride vet tracks but this was a fun race with the Old timers gang and they typically race vet tracks. This was the Open Expert class though, and the kid i was battling was a 22 year old ripper. Lots of fun battling fast guys on a track like this.
So is the AMA going to make everyone with a Stark Varg or Alta run a separate class when these bikes are released? Right now, they are forced to run normal classes at most amateur events. Will E-Bike riders have the option to enter a normal gas powered class? The interim timeframe is what has me concerned.... which could be a long time.
Don't get me wrong here.... I am all for E-bikes and their progress. I think it will help our ability to keep tracks open and have more riding options. But I'm legitimately concerned about the time in-between when there are electric bikes and gas powered bikes racing on the same gate. Ok, I guess i'll just have to get used to yelling at riders in front of me if I am on an electric bike....
I love being able to hear the tires. Reminds me of riding an MTB.
Great ride. I have been following you for a bit and enjoy your content. What rear brake pedal do you run if you dont mind because the stock one is really small? There is really not much lowering adjustment either for my giant fused foot full of screws and plates. I usually lower them right away on all my bikes.
It’s a huge mistake for the sport to combine the classes . It will make the transition a clusterfuck for many years .
I can't help but think that may be part of the reason that Stark is delaying the release of their electric bikes also and are not telling us. Maybe some of the race orgs are putting the brakes on it until they are ready to adjust class structures.
He'll no we don't need more classes already a long day
Separate classes and let nature take its course .
There are too many amateur classes now I agree . MX has long needed a total class restructuring , and this might be a chance to address that problem as well . But combining E and ICE is only asking for major headaches . Look how screwed up things got from 2 to 4 .
Agreed. Maybe they will take a hard look at the other classes and drop some.
Stark has invested millions of dollars in their new bike. The only reason it’s being delayed is because it’s not ready.
Post a reply to: Gas Vs Electric ! Went to battle on the Alta MXR.