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but does this mean in the future the tracks will all have to have charging stations?
https://youtu.be/UiT9G8oQqkQ
The Shop
I’ve told this story before and it’s kinda amusing. When Alta was going they supported an Endurocross Pro rider. At the first round of the 2018 season they had a couple vans and a bunch of guys for support. They also had an older loud ass generator that they stuck on the back side of their pits and left it running. Unfortunately that put the thing right next to our pits. After a little time I wheeled it into their pits and told them “it’s time for you guys to listen to this thing, because I’m tired of hearing it” they didn’t say a word and I walked away. A couple minutes later it was off😂
If tracks offered 240V 30A hookups for a small fee, it would eliminate that noise issue entirely. Heck, i'd be willing to hook up one of those Killawatt meters to monitor how much energy i was consuming throughout the day and pay for my energy usage.
There is a HUGE difference. None one of us are every going to drive an eF1 car. But we can all ride an e-MX bike. Yes, I worked for Alta and was drinking the Koolaid. But, as a motocross rider for the last 40+ years I have ridden every kind of bike and raced at the highest level. Been beaten by the best riders in the world.
I will tell you this, that riding an Alta was the most fun I had ever had on a dirt bike. Of the hundreds of demos I did, not one time did a rider get off the bike and not have a huge smile on their face. Isn't that why we ride?
Pro riders seemed to love it the most. They would jump on one and feel amazing right away. Less skilled riders also like it. One of the benefits is always being in the right gear. Never over revved or bogging.
Alta was not created to save the environment. It was made because the founders wanted an easier way to ride a dirt bike fast. The biggest draw back was range and that was improving and should continue to improve with the next OE that enters that space.
I'm not one of those guys that likes working on bikes. That was a huge benefit for me too. No air filters to clean, ever!!! No top ends, no valves to adjust, no clutch replacements, no oil changes, the list goes on.
My biggest regret is not keeping one of my five demos.
I'm looking forward to one of the current companies finishing what Alta started.
1. Tracks simply run 30 amp wiring (like any campground does) and they sell the power to riders. Now it turns into a revenue opportunity for the track owners, and a 100% no noise / no generator environment.
2. being the curious type, I send a once a year inquiry into the local police asking about complaints related to dirt bikes, 1% are due to idiots wheeling down the road, the other 99% are noise complaints. squeaky wheels get the attention and a loud bike is an attention getter.
3. if Yamaha puts this into production, I'd put a bet that it would almost immediately become their best seller YZ version and probably win over customers from every other brand. Yamaha is in the business of making money, money=motivation to commercialize an electric YZ.
Pit Row
I love the idea of the electric MX bike, especially the performance and ease of riding. But the no noise for racing is going to be really weird.
However, I watched LLs through the RacerX site and barely could hear anythng besides the commentators. And I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I also think about the new rider who knows nothing about working on bikes. This is much less intimidating. All the maintenance (chain, sprockets, tires, grips) is low risk, in that, even if you mess up, your bike isn't going to lock up on the face of a jump. It's basically like working on a mountain bike.
I don't care at all what type of motor if is. If the bike handles great, is the same weight, and make great power, I'd prefer an electric engine, just to get rid of the constant maintenance. I never ride more than 35 minute motos, so the range isn't a huge deal for me. As long as I can get in 2 hours of Moto total at the track, I am good.
Also, electric drivetrain performs the exact same every time you get on it, no matter the elevation you're at or the weather.
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