My experience, so far, is as follows:
- Components - Much higher quality on the Alta (Brembo four piston radial mount front caliper/master cylinder, Neiken bars, etc.)
- Fit and finish - the attention to detail on the Alta is quite good, similar to the KTMs and Husqvarnas that we sell.
- Power - Holy cow!!! It is hard to keep the front wheel on the ground using map 4! Map 2 is what I have been using for commuting. I have no doubt that this bike can win some supermoto races (we will see soon).
- Customer service - The whole crew at Alta is amazing and is super responsive to dealer questions. All of the dealers that have signed on to sell Altas are enthusiasts and super excited about the product.
- Range - I have been doing a mix of Highway (55-60 mph) and city (30-35 mph) on my daily commutes. So far the Alta is right on track for 60-70 mile range in that application. I am planning on doing a long ride this weekend to see how it does.
- Charging - The charge time is very reasonable and the included 110v cord is super easy to stash in a backpack. So far the shop has paid for all of my "fuel"
- Throttle response - The Alta feels just like my gas bikes! The smooth controllable power that is exactly how you would expect a motorcycle to feel. I have not had the same experience with the Zero motorcycles (your mileage may vary).
Other notes (you probably already know about)
No heat, very little noise, instant throttle response, and no fuel stops have changed my life!
You are more than welcome to ride my SM if you are able to get to Northern Colorado, just give me a call at the shop.