2018 Alta Motors RedShift MXR
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First Impressions: 2018 Alta Motors Redshift MXR and MX
What's The Future of Fast really like? Can we still say Braap?
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s1600 flalta18A 201165

It's truly amazing how far the Alta crew has come since we saw its predecessor, BRD, and then the first version of the Alta at the AIMExpo in 2014. While there's been a few electric motocross-based offerings on the market, the Redshift MX really stands out as the first one to be comparable and even competitive when compared to the current internal combustion offerings that we're used to. Beyond that they've kicked off 2018 with a big jump in performance as they launched a new race-focused model, the MXR, and were also able to significantly cut the costs on their standard MX model. Now their standard 2018 Redshift MX comes in around $4500 cheaper than the '17 version, including a few small updates to power and other small parts throughout the bike, for a MSRP of $10,495. So does that mean the latest and greatest Redshift MXR takes over the old pricing slot at $15,000? Nope, it slides in at $11,995, showing that Alta Motors is figuring out the market, their suppliers, and how to move their product...allowing them to make these cuts and become more competitive in the market place.

As we mentioned, the big news is the MXR model which we dropped specs on last month and falls in as a higher-end offering for the moto/track focused crowd. With a full selling year under their belt and this new model to introduce, Alta Motors decided to conduct their first ever wide-spread media launch at Perris Raceway to give us an opportunity to test the '18 Redshift MX and MXR side-by-side, plus work with their crew to learn more about the machines and the brand. Typically a First Impressions test for us includes our short and sweet, but informative videos to dive into changes on new models. Well in this case, things are so new we could ramble on forever about what it was like to test out both these bikes. So this go around we've added our usual video (directly below), along with another video interviewing Chief Technical Office and Co-Founder Derek Dorresteyn about some aspects of development we wanted to know. Below that you'll find a player for an audio file, which plays out the extended thoughts on the machines and experiences of the day. Then to end the article, you'll find a recap of what's new with the bikes and specs, enjoy!

First Impressions: 2018 Alta Motors Redshift MXR and MX

As we mention in the video above, wrapping all our thoughts on the Alta Redshifts into the video was near impossible, so you'll find some deeper comparisons and thoughts on the bike in an audio file below, directly below our next video where we do a quick impromptu interview with CTO and co-founder Derek Dorresteyn. This was done quickly as Derek had to catch a flight, so we apologize about some background noise from track equipment but it's definitely worth clicking play.

Derek will also be joining us next week for a round of our Forum QNA. If you have questions of your own for one of the main men behind the bike, get them ready and dive into our forum next week to ask him yourself.

Developing an Electric Motocross Bike: Derek Dorresteyn - Alta Motors

If you've scrolled to hear, we're guessing you want to hear more. Click play on the audio player below for our extended thoughts on hte bike and while you're listening, you can check out the specs and press release info below.

Podcast: In-Depth Thoughts on the Alta Motors 2018 Redshift MXR and MX

Alta Motors Release Info:

Designed to compete with a modern 350, the MXR comes equipped with 50 HP and more torque than its predecessors. The 2018 MXR Performance Maps allow the Redshift to be just as capable as a novice trail and woods bike as it is a professional MX2/Lites class motocrosser. The MXR requires no air filters, oil changes, or top end rebuilds, so you can spend less time wrenching on your bike and more time riding. Join the growing number of people that believe this is one of the most fun motorcycles ever built.

Mile for mile, there is no smaller, more compact, energy dense battery pack in transportation. The Alta Pack is waterproof rated up to IP67, is durable enough to handle shocks and vibes up to 20G, and is digitally self-monitoring. Our stacked honeycomb architecture allows for extreme energy density at 185 watt hours per kilogram, combined with a unique thermal wicking system to shed heat faster than any other lithium-ion transportation battery in production.

Alta’s water-cooled 14,000 RPM motor is pound for pound one of the most powerful in motorsports. It is optimized to the narrow width of the Redshift’s bulkhead and is precisely located at the roll center of the bike. This placement coupled with a very low counter-rotational mass allows for the lowest polar moment of inertia in motorcycling - drastically minimizing any gyroscopic impediment to handling. The Redshift's motor weighs 15lbs and puts out 50 HP at the countershaft and pushes power through a 3.5:1 gear reduction to deliver 147 ft-lbs of torque from a dead stop at 0 RPM.

The Redshift Bulkhead—the chassis core—functions as the outer motor casing, and the cooling circuit for the motor and inverter, as well as the transmission case for the gear reduction. Additionally, it is the main structural hub, connecting to the rear suspension, the airframe, the forged chassis, and the trellis skidframe. All of this integration is coordinated with very specific strength, weight, and stiffness goals to produce the best-handling motocrosser ever made.

Since 1973 Acerbis has been producing high quality plastic bodywork and the company has worked with everyone from legends like Preston Petty to OEM manufacturers such as Yamaha. We're proud to partner with them on the production of our Redshift plastics and subframe in an effort to create the vision of Alta Motors and the future of fast.

WP is a proven performer across every discipline of off road racing from amateur to international venues. Alta selected the WP AER suspension, which we believe to be the best air-sprung fork on the market, for the MXR for a significant weight savings and infinite tunability. The MXR also features an upgraded rear shock with improved valving and linkage dynamics, and additional weight savings from the short-body reservoir.

Brembo S.P.A. is the gold standard for high performance brake systems on motorcycles. Founded in 1961, the Italian company produces a range of products that can be found on motorcycles on the street and the trail. The Redshift MXR employs cast and machined Brembo calipers.

Warp 9 Racing is an American manufacturer of high performance motorcycle wheels. In a short amount of time Warp 9 Racing has gone from a boutique upstart to an OE supplier, offering some of the highest quality wheels on the market. We chose to work with Warp 9 Racing because their wheels are produced here in the US, and their exacting demands for quality and performance match our own.

With more than a century of innovation and racing heritage, Dunlop is the go-to for performance off-road motorcycle tires.

Map Options

  • ECO: A traction map that offers the best range profile. Also a great map for just starting out.
  • SPORT: Performance profile engineered to line up with 250f race machinery.
  • PERFORMANCE: Similar traits as the Sport map but with more bottom end and traction – it also makes a great starting gate map
  • OVERCLOCKED: Maximum torque and power are available without restriction – if you have the skill to control it. Thermal limiting will protect the machine if you push too hard.

DRIVETRAIN

  • MOTOR - High Speed PMAC
  • TORQUE* - 147 ft-lbs
  • POWER* - 50 HP
  • TRANSMISSION - 1 Speed
  • GEAR RATIO - 3.5 : 1
  • MAJOR MAINTENANCE CYCLE - 1000 Hours
  • SPROCKETS - 12F / 53R
  • BATTERY TYPE - Waterproof Li-Ion 350v
  • CAPACITY - 5.8kWh
  • CHARGER - 2.7kW or 3.3kW Offboard
  • RECHARGE TIME** - 1.5 hrs(240v)
  • ELECTRONICS - Alta-Digital, 4 Maps

COMPONENTS

  • FRONT FORK - WP AER 48 Fully Adjustable
  • REAR SHOCK - WP 2018 Alta Spec
  • FRONT BRAKE - Brembo Two Piston 260mm Rotor
  • REAR BRAKE - Brembo Single Piston 240mm Rotor
  • WHEELS - Warp 9 Elite 21"F / 19"R
  • TIRES - Dunlop Geomax MX3S

SPECIFICATIONS

  • FRAME - Forged & Welded Aluminum
  • SWINGARM - Permanent Mold Aircraft Aluminum
  • WET WEIGHT - 259 lbs
  • WHEELBASE - 58.56"
  • SEAT HEIGHT - 37.5"
  • RAKE - 27°
  • OFFSET - 55mm

For more information on the RedShift MXR, head over to AltaMotors.co/RedShiftMXR.

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Post a reply to: First Impressions: 2018 Alta Motors Redshift MXR and MX

First Look: 2018 Alta Motors RedShift MXR
First a massive price drop and now more power, Alta Motors is pinned!
s1600 altaredshiftmxrA 338464

Vital MX: On the heels of announcing a massive price reduction on their existing lineup of RedShift models for 2018, including $4500 off the MX model, Alta has released a top-of-the-line version called the MXR. The main updates focus around the battery pack and drive motor, producing 50 horsepower and 147 foot pounds of torque, up eight hp and 27 ftlbs over the prior model. Beyond that, a switch from WP's 4CS to AER 48 air fork along with shock updates are focused around improving the ride of the bike. The fork and other changes around the bike have also allowed for a six pound weight reduction, bringing the total down to 259 pounds.

Beyond this, the quick recharge time was trimmed by about 40 minutes; down from two hours to one hour and 20 minutes. Tires on the MXR have also been upgraded from Bridgestone Battlecross X30s to Dunlop's popular MX3S and they're also claiming improved battery life while riding, even with the increase in power. Last up, the price of the MXR is set at $11,995, which is about $1,500 more expensive than the standard 2018 RedShift MX. But this is actually $3,000 lower than the standard MX was in 2017, when they were set around the $15,000 mark. For more details on the bike, updates, and figures behind it, scroll below for Alta Motors official info.

Alta Motors Release Info:

Designed to compete with a modern 350, the MXR comes equipped with 50 HP and more torque than its predecessors. The 2018 MXR Performance Maps allow the Redshift to be just as capable as a novice trail and woods bike as it is a professional MX2/Lites class motocrosser. The MXR requires no air filters, oil changes, or top end rebuilds, so you can spend less time wrenching on your bike and more time riding. Join the growing number of people that believe this is one of the most fun motorcycles ever built.

Mile for mile, there is no smaller, more compact, energy dense battery pack in transportation. The Alta Pack is waterproof rated up to IP67, is durable enough to handle shocks and vibes up to 20G, and is digitally self-monitoring. Our stacked honeycomb architecture allows for extreme energy density at 185 watt hours per kilogram, combined with a unique thermal wicking system to shed heat faster than any other lithium-ion transportation battery in production.

Alta’s water-cooled 14,000 RPM motor is pound for pound one of the most powerful in motorsports. It is optimized to the narrow width of the Redshift’s bulkhead and is precisely located at the roll center of the bike. This placement coupled with a very low counter-rotational mass allows for the lowest polar moment of inertia in motorcycling - drastically minimizing any gyroscopic impediment to handling. The Redshift's motor weighs 15lbs and puts out 50 HP at the countershaft and pushes power through a 3.5:1 gear reduction to deliver 147 ft-lbs of torque from a dead stop at 0 RPM.

The Redshift Bulkhead—the chassis core—functions as the outer motor casing, and the cooling circuit for the motor and inverter, as well as the transmission case for the gear reduction. Additionally, it is the main structural hub, connecting to the rear suspension, the airframe, the forged chassis, and the trellis skidframe. All of this integration is coordinated with very specific strength, weight, and stiffness goals to produce the best-handling motocrosser ever made.

Since 1973 Acerbis has been producing high quality plastic bodywork and the company has worked with everyone from legends like Preston Petty to OEM manufacturers such as Yamaha. We're proud to partner with them on the production of our Redshift plastics and subframe in an effort to create the vision of Alta Motors and the future of fast.

WP is a proven performer across every discipline of off road racing from amateur to international venues. Alta selected the WP AER suspension, which we believe to be the best air-sprung fork on the market, for the MXR for a significant weight savings and infinite tunability. The MXR also features an upgraded rear shock with improved valving and linkage dynamics, and additional weight savings from the short-body reservoir.

Brembo S.P.A. is the gold standard for high performance brake systems on motorcycles. Founded in 1961, the Italian company produces a range of products that can be found on motorcycles on the street and the trail. The Redshift MXR employs cast and machined Brembo calipers.

Warp 9 Racing is an American manufacturer of high performance motorcycle wheels. In a short amount of time Warp 9 Racing has gone from a boutique upstart to an OE supplier, offering some of the highest quality wheels on the market. We chose to work with Warp 9 Racing because their wheels are produced here in the US, and their exacting demands for quality and performance match our own.

With more than a century of innovation and racing heritage, Dunlop is the go-to for performance off-road motorcycle tires.

Map Options

  • ECO: A traction map that offers the best range profile. Also a great map for just starting out.
  • SPORT: Performance profile engineered to line up with 250f race machinery.
  • PERFORMANCE: Similar traits as the Sport map but with more bottom end and traction – it also makes a great starting gate map
  • OVERCLOCKED: Maximum torque and power are available without restriction – if you have the skill to control it. Thermal limiting will protect the machine if you push too hard.

DRIVETRAIN

  • MOTOR - High Speed PMAC
  • TORQUE* - 147 ft-lbs
  • POWER* - 50 HP
  • TRANSMISSION - 1 Speed
  • GEAR RATIO - 3.5 : 1
  • MAJOR MAINTENANCE CYCLE - 1000 Hours
  • SPROCKETS - 12F / 53R
  • BATTERY TYPE - Waterproof Li-Ion 350v
  • CAPACITY - 5.8kWh
  • CHARGER - 2.7kW or 3.3kW Offboard
  • RECHARGE TIME** - 1.5 hrs(240v)
  • ELECTRONICS - Alta-Digital, 4 Maps

COMPONENTS

  • FRONT FORK - WP AER 48 Fully Adjustable
  • REAR SHOCK - WP 2018 Alta Spec
  • FRONT BRAKE - Brembo Two Piston 260mm Rotor
  • REAR BRAKE - Brembo Single Piston 240mm Rotor
  • WHEELS - Warp 9 Elite 21"F / 19"R
  • TIRES - Dunlop Geomax MX3S

SPECIFICATIONS

  • FRAME - Forged & Welded Aluminum
  • SWINGARM - Permanent Mold Aircraft Aluminum
  • WET WEIGHT - 259 lbs
  • WHEELBASE - 58.56"
  • SEAT HEIGHT - 37.5"
  • RAKE - 27°
  • OFFSET - 55mm

For more information on the RedShift MXR, head over to AltaMotors.co/RedShiftMXR.

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Post a reply to: First Look: 2018 Alta Motors RedShift MXR

Specifications

Product
Alta Motors RedShift MXR
Model Year
2018
Engine Size
Other
Engine Type
Electric
Engine Displacement
High Speed PMAC - Waterproof Li-Ion 350v
Bore x Stroke
5.8kWh
Compression Ratio
 
Fuel System
 
Ignition
 
Transmission
1 Speed
Final Drive
3.5 : 1 - 12F / 53R
Suspension Front
WP AER Fully Adjustable
Suspension Rear
WP 2018 Alta Spec
Brakes Front
Brembo Two Piston 260mm Rotor
Brakes Rear
Brembo Single Piston 240mm Rotor
Tires Front
Dunlop Geomax MX3S
Tires Rear
Dunlop Geomax MX3S
Overall Length
 
Overall Width
 
Overall Height
 
Seat Height
37.5"
Wheelbase
58.56"
Ground Clearance
 
Rake/Trail
27°
Fuel Capacity
5.8kWh
Curb Weight
259 lbs
Features
1.5 hrs(240v) Recharge time
Miscellaneous
 
Price
$11,995.00
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