Posts
2295
Joined
12/14/2010
Location
Nashville, TN
US
Edited Date/Time
9/6/2018 6:56am
Had my first gate drop yesterday on the Alta RedShift MXR. Thought some of you might be interested.
Raced the 450 Novice class at Fox (Pala) Raceway on the Amateur track. Still need to work on starts with this bike as i'm not launching out of the gate hard enough. Once i figure it out, though, this bike is going to help me pull so many holeshots. I think 2 stroke open was in this race, too. Enjoy:
https://youtu.be/os51kslVN64?rel=0
My feedback after racing it yesterday:
- The AER48 fork works pretty well in stock trim. I'm 185lbs naked and was running 155psi.
- The stock shock is very under damped in the stock configuration. It's like Alta took the shock off a KTM 450 SXF and slapped on a much stiffer spring without accomodating the valving. I had to run the rebound damping all the way turned in, in order to help stop the pogo'ing effect of the rear end. I'll definitely be getting this shock massaged to suit me better.
- The front brembo brake works fantastically, even for this 258lb bike.
- The rear brake is a light switch in stock configuration - Its either all or nothing. Locks up way too easily. I'll be adding a Fasst return spring to add some resistance to the level to help mitigate that.
- The ergonomics of this bike are awesome. The seat is very flat and you can really shift your body forward and aft with quite ease. The shape of the shrouds allows you to comfortably get that inside leg forward and tight inside. There is ample surface area to grip the bike with your legs.
- This bike being so quiet is actually an advantage to you as the rider in a race situation. On one end you can sneak up on guys and they have no idea. On the other end it allows you to precisely locate riders behind you using your hearing. There is also a small effect where its difficult for riders behind you to gauge when you get on the power. You'll find yourself having to yell (as you hear me doing in the video) at the rider in front of you at times to let them know you are there.
- I feel like i'm able to rider harder longer on this bike compared to my 450 and 125. I attribute that to the smooth power, lack of need to shift or use the clutch, and also the bike being so quiet (i find loud engine sounds "clog" my brain after a while).
- Each race used about 30-40% battery in Map 4. I have the rapid charger and a 3200watt 240v generator that i use to recharge it between motos. It's important to keep the battery cool when charging it so often and rapidly like i was. Some guys use a misting fan aimed at the battery. I was simply squirting water on it out of a water bottle periodically. I'll probably go the mist fan route with a bucket of water soon.
Raced the 450 Novice class at Fox (Pala) Raceway on the Amateur track. Still need to work on starts with this bike as i'm not launching out of the gate hard enough. Once i figure it out, though, this bike is going to help me pull so many holeshots. I think 2 stroke open was in this race, too. Enjoy:
https://youtu.be/os51kslVN64?rel=0
My feedback after racing it yesterday:
- The AER48 fork works pretty well in stock trim. I'm 185lbs naked and was running 155psi.
- The stock shock is very under damped in the stock configuration. It's like Alta took the shock off a KTM 450 SXF and slapped on a much stiffer spring without accomodating the valving. I had to run the rebound damping all the way turned in, in order to help stop the pogo'ing effect of the rear end. I'll definitely be getting this shock massaged to suit me better.
- The front brembo brake works fantastically, even for this 258lb bike.
- The rear brake is a light switch in stock configuration - Its either all or nothing. Locks up way too easily. I'll be adding a Fasst return spring to add some resistance to the level to help mitigate that.
- The ergonomics of this bike are awesome. The seat is very flat and you can really shift your body forward and aft with quite ease. The shape of the shrouds allows you to comfortably get that inside leg forward and tight inside. There is ample surface area to grip the bike with your legs.
- This bike being so quiet is actually an advantage to you as the rider in a race situation. On one end you can sneak up on guys and they have no idea. On the other end it allows you to precisely locate riders behind you using your hearing. There is also a small effect where its difficult for riders behind you to gauge when you get on the power. You'll find yourself having to yell (as you hear me doing in the video) at the rider in front of you at times to let them know you are there.
- I feel like i'm able to rider harder longer on this bike compared to my 450 and 125. I attribute that to the smooth power, lack of need to shift or use the clutch, and also the bike being so quiet (i find loud engine sounds "clog" my brain after a while).
- Each race used about 30-40% battery in Map 4. I have the rapid charger and a 3200watt 240v generator that i use to recharge it between motos. It's important to keep the battery cool when charging it so often and rapidly like i was. Some guys use a misting fan aimed at the battery. I was simply squirting water on it out of a water bottle periodically. I'll probably go the mist fan route with a bucket of water soon.
MSRP
The cost levels out aftet a season or two i bet...
The Shop
Nice post, very informative... thanks
I pulled the trigger on one because i was in the market for a new bike and the lack of maintenance (and this is coming from me being super anal about the maintenance on my bikes) and quiet nature of the bike sold me. I'm already suffering from tinnitus in my right ear from riding motorcycles all my life, and I'm only 31, and i use ear plugs when i ride. No longer necessary on the Alta. I don't own property yet, but if i did there would be no question which bike to get. This is seriously the best bike to have it you have property or a private track and dont want to disturb anyone.
And cooling the battery is only something you'd need to think about if its hot out and you are racing multiple motos during the day and are charging it multiple times throughout the day.
Here's a vid of a few alta's riding through a shallow pond with no issues:
https://www.facebook.com/altamotorsusa/videos/1170912369653697/
I have no valve adjustments, and top ends last me a few years( I bought a compression tester I can use on anything)
Exhausts are no where near 1,000 bucks. I can buy 3 whole systems for 1,000 bucks.
Pit Row
In all seriousness I think the electric bike for professional racing will need some kind of noise making device added for both fan appeal and rider safety concerning rider proximity .
A whole bunch of E Bikes will make a damned sight more noise that most other passe' sports.
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