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The Future is Here; The Best Electric Motorcycle I Have Ridden

Butch

poseur
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Apr 5, 2002
Location
San Jose, bottom of dirty 130
Moto(s)
‘18 Alta EX006, ‘17 Alta MX019, 06R6, 05TM530 Black Dream, 01TM250 2T, ‘24 Yam Tenere 700
Name
Butch
BARF perks
AMA #: 1093637
Alta Redshift First Impressions

This is cheating.
I just rode the Redshift MX by Alta. This particular bike is the first delivered customer machine and was modified a bit from the MX setup for trail riding. Big fun.

The electric propulsion is a bit of a different experience from a internal combustion engine/ ICE. It does not provide the “hit” of a CR500 or even my 250 KTM; it delivers smooth tractable power that makes it deceivingly quick. With more riding, I might be quicker than with an ICE because I am smoother.
Smoother also conserves a rider’s energy, resulting in less fatigue. The Redshift MX, at 250 pounds, weighs more than the two stroke dirtbikes I am accustomed to, but the weight was only noticeable occasionally. The lack of the gyroscopic effect of the spinning ICE makes the bike more responsive than a comparable weight ICE bike. The result is more fun.

The “cheating” of smooth electric power from zero RPM enabled negotiating technical sections more easily. With an ICE there is a fair amount of manipulation of the controls to make sure the bike is in the right place through obstacles, with the right speed and momentum, with the right engine RPM to carry through the section and onto the next. The power delivery of the electric motor and software enable you to proceed more slowly (even stopping), picking lines and accelerate forward without losing critical momentum. It is just easier to ride, especially for the less talented like myself. The result is more fun.

The Redshift is a game changer for many (most?) conditions. Usually I find the dry slippery dusty summer conditions of north central California riding areas unappealing. With throttle and software controlled power delivery, traction is easy to maintain. I enjoyed riding in conditions that normally I would have not bothered with. The result is more fun.

Superman talented riders can negotiate a bike through amazingly challenging terrain. I need an advantage to go where they do.

I need an Alta Redshift.
I also need to ride the street legal motard version. It too will be a game changer.

Edit:
1. Oh, another thing. They are not silent. You can hear what the tires are doing. It is a new feedback on what the bike is doing.
2. Oh, another thing... The software has three settings for different conditions. I was on "torque" as described by Eric. More investigation is required. I imagine this effects battery range too.
 
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I'm jelly, really want to ride one! You took the long/nice way to get there, but...it feels slow? I still say they need a clutch.
 
Hey Butch, how does the Alta handle steep up hills and variable traction?
 
Hey Butch, how does the Alta handle steep up hills and variable traction?

...this is what it does best. And it does not feel slow, it just does not do the violent things that an ICE does... It does wheelies without you really noticing.
 
Thanks for the ride report.

That sounds like what I need in a dirt bike. Recently I took my 350 pound XR650L on a number of medium difficulty single track trails east of here. You have to maintain a certain minimum speed in first gear through the rough stuff so that you don't kill the engine by running it too slow. An electric bike would be great where I could go as slow as I want anywhere and still have the power available.

How does it do on hill climbs?

How far/long can you ride it on one charge?

Does it let you know how much charge is left so you can head back to the truck before you have to start pushing it?
 
Imagine riding through the woods with out the noise and vibrations. Cognitive resources unleashed!!!
 
Urban mx parks could actually be a thing someday.
 
How much$ & when will they be available?
 
How much$ & when will they be available?

$15K, 13 weeks
http://www.altamotors.co

We rode are Carnegie for almost 3 hours with still lots of charge left. It has a readout of remaining charge on the dash. The smooth power delivery is an unfair advantage on steep technical climbs. I rather like unfair advantages.
 
Urban mx parks could actually be a thing someday.

Holy balls, that never even occurred to me. Imagine having a mx park right next to the city skate park, something for everyone!
 
Its only a matter of time until someone adds a speaker system to mimic ICE. :rofl

20 years from now the tweleve o clock boyzzz will have silent motorcycles when they are ripping through your city.

Everyone will be happy.
 
Alta Redshift First Impressions

This is cheating.
I just rode the Redshift MX by Alta. This particular bike is the first delivered customer machine and was modified a bit from the MX setup for trail riding. Big fun.

The electric propulsion is a bit of a different experience from a internal combustion engine/ ICE. It does not provide the “hit” of a CR500 or even my 250 KTM; it delivers smooth tractable power that makes it deceivingly quick. With more riding, I might be quicker than with an ICE because I am smoother.
Smoother also conserves a rider’s energy, resulting in less fatigue. The Redshift MX, at 250 pounds, weighs more than the two stroke dirtbikes I am accustomed to, but the weight was only noticeable occasionally. The lack of the gyroscopic effect of the spinning ICE makes the bike more responsive than a comparable weight ICE bike. The result is more fun.

The “cheating” of smooth electric power from zero RPM enabled negotiating technical sections more easily. With an ICE there is a fair amount of manipulation of the controls to make sure the bike is in the right place through obstacles, with the right speed and momentum, with the right engine RPM to carry through the section and onto the next. The power delivery of the electric motor and software enable you to proceed more slowly (even stopping), picking lines and accelerate forward without losing critical momentum. It is just easier to ride, especially for the less talented like myself. The result is more fun.

The Redshift is a game changer for many (most?) conditions. Usually I find the dry slippery dusty summer conditions of north central California riding areas unappealing. With throttle and software controlled power delivery, traction is easy to maintain. I enjoyed riding in conditions that normally I would have not bothered with. The result is more fun.

Superman talented riders can negotiate a bike through amazingly challenging terrain. I need an advantage to go where they do.

I need an Alta Redshift.
I also need to ride the street legal motard version. It too will be a game changer.

Sounds nice, until you are at the MX park or in the woods and need to charge up. How long would it take to charge using an average 1000-2000 watt generator?
 
What a great write up:thumbup

and this:
Imagine riding through the woods with out the noise and vibrations. Cognitive resources unleashed!!!

The older I get the more I dislike the sound of ICEs....with the exception of the RC166 and any motogp bike
 
Sounds nice, until you are at the MX park or in the woods and need to charge up. How long would it take to charge using an average 1000-2000 watt generator?

Thinking the same thing. Looks like its estimated ride time is 2 hours. Looks sweet.
 
Thinking the same thing. Looks like its estimated ride time is 2 hours. Looks sweet.

3 hours to 80% charge at 110v but the battery takes about 10 minutes to swap out.

They are looking at "supercharger" options
 
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I wonder if you could bring along a sort of Tesla Powerwall, a bigass battery, and charge during lunch?
 
3 hours to 80% charge at 110v but the battery takes about 10 minutes to swap out.

They are looking at "supercharger" options

I like the swappable battery. Bring a few and swap during lunch or a break. Charge at night during BBQ/Beer time. Wake up and rip some more! :ride
 
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