2018 Alta Motors Redshift MX-R
Lighter, Faster, and Less Expensive
The Future of Fast just got better! The latest offering from San Francisco based Alta Motors boasts an impressive ten horsepower increase and a boost of 27 ft-lbs of torque over the previous Redshift MX. Clearly, the new MX-R took advantage of those New Years Resolution Sales at Planet Fitness, shedding an impressive six pounds. These increase in power and reduction in weight fixes a target directly on the KTM and Husqvarna 350cc Motocross offerings. All of the improvements Alta Motors implemented for 2018 are sure to make the MX-R an impressive Motocross machine. But the question on the minds of many is will anyone be able to afford to race the Electric powerhouse?
Luckily for us, Alta Motors has been collecting feedback from motorcycle consumers, dealers, and press and developing a plan to address all of the concerns that consumers have with the new Platform. Fist on the list of concerns for many consumers is the price. No one can argue that a fifteen thousand dollar price tag was an insurmountable barrier to entry for the vast majority of riders! Especially when the competition is offering competitive, race worthy, bikes for under ten thousand dollars. Alta offered up the proverbial mic drop when they announced that the much improved 2018 Redshift MXR would retail for $11,999, a three thousand dollar price reduction over the original 2017 Redshift MX!
Another common concern for riders considering the jump from internal combustion motors to the all-electric Redshift is the ability keep enough charge on the bike to complete the days worth of practices, qualifying races, and motos. Alta took a two-part approach to this hurdle. First, the new battery chemistry and beefed up electronics allow the Redshift to handle the taxing power draw and extreme charging requirements that motocross demands of the electric bike without generating as much heat. Riders familiar with the original Redshift MX know all about heat limiting and increased charge times after sustained wide-open efforts on loamy motocross tracks. The Redshift MXR virtually eliminates heat-related issues that plagued the previous Redshift MX. Part two of Alta's plan was developing a rapid charger that reduces the overall charge time by 30 minutes! Alta's rapid charger will retail for $799 and allow the bike to go from depleted to full charge in a staggering 1.5 hours.
Alta Motors is committed to producing bikes that are competitive out of the crate, this means including top-shelf components. Unfortunately for the 2017 MX, the 4CS has developed a not so favorable reputation in the motorcycle community. Alta addressed this with a fully updated suspension package that includes the latest AER 48 forks from WP. The new suspension package will offer competitive riders a much-improved package that is laser-focused on motocross competition.
The 2018 Alta Motors Redshift MX-R is stacking up to be a solid offering at a price that puts it within reach of racers across the country. The latest offering is proof positive that Alta Motors is listening to customers and dedicated to providing the best motorcycle on the market. The 2018, Made in the USA, Alta Redshift MX-R is sure to turn some heads and change hearts at motocross tracks across the country this year!
Specifications:
Horsepower - 50 HP
Torque at crank - 42 lb-ft
Weight (wet) - 259 lbs
Seat Height - 37.5"
Top Speed - 65 MPH
Front Tire - Dunlop Geomax MX3SF 80/100-21
Rear Tire - Dunlop Geomax MX3SF 100/90-19
Front Wheel - Warp9 Elite 21â€
Rear Wheel - Warp9 Elite 19â€
Fork WP - AER
Shock - WP 2018 Alta Custom Spec
Front Brake - Brembo 260mm
Rear Brake - Brembo 240mm
Wheelbase - 1487.47mm (58.562")
Rake - 27 deg
Trail - 119.38mm (4.7")
Offset - 55mm
Runtime:
Expert Motocross:
The MXR matches it’s ICE competitors on a moto track. An expert in Maps 3 and 4 will be able to complete a 25+ minute moto. Map 4 provides an exciting “overclocked†experience, but run times will be reduced by about 50%
Intermediate Motocross:
An intermediate level motocross racer, utilizing maps 2 and 3, can expect about 60 minutes of continuous use depending on track size, speed, and ambient conditions.
Expert Singletrack and Woods:
For riders considering more aggressive riding in the mountains on challenging singletrack or goat trails where average speeds are low, the Redshift MXR should provide 4+ hours of range using Maps 1 and 2.
Performance Throttle Maps:
ECO (Map 1): A traction map that offers the best range profile. Also an excellent map for just starting out.
SPORT (Map 2): Performance profile engineered to line up with 250f race machinery.
PERFORMANCE (Map 3): Similar traits as the Sport map but with more bottom end and traction, it also makes a great starting gate map
OVERCLOCKED (Map 4): 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.
Model Comparison
Redshift MX-R
Horsepower - 50 hp
Torque @ Crank - 42 lb-ft
Wet Weight - 259 lbs
Seat Height - 37.5"
Redshift MX
Horsepower - 40 hp
Torque @ Crank - 37.4 lb-ft
Wet Weight - 265 lbs
Seat Height - 37"
Husqvarna FX 350
Horsepower - 58 hp
Torque @ Crank - 29 lb-ft
Wet Weight - 236 lbs
Seat Height - 37.8"
KTM 450 SX-F
Horsepower - 62 hp
Torque @ Crank - 36 lb-ft
Wet Weight - 232 lbs
Seat Height - 37.8"