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Just a few months since its first motorcycle, the Redshift, became available to the US market, Alta Motors is set to roll out a new concept model. Inspired by flat track machines, the Street Tracker is conceived as a road-legal battery-powered motorcycle built around the Redshift platform.
Californian startup Alta Motors spent six years setting up a production facility, organizing a dealer network, and developing its first model from the ground up ahead of its market launch in 2016. The Redshift is a lightweight electric off-road motorcycle available in a motocross (MX) and a street-legal supermoto (SM) version.
The American company builds the motorcycle's engine, frame and battery cases in-house, as well as all the electronic gear tasked with controlling the motor's 40 hp (29.8 kW) power and 122 lb-ft (165 Nm) torque output. These are complemented by equipment outsourced from industry leading brands, like WP suspensions and Brembo brakes.
Is there a market for silent motorcycles?
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Sunday April 09 2017, @01:49PM (4 children)
Sorry, Buzzard, but I'm not the same kind of bike man that you are. I really LIKE my in-line 4 cylinder engines that will run in excess of 150 mph. They are so quiet at idle, you can think they have stalled. They're so quiet under easy acceleration, all you hear is a kind of deep-throated hum. Crank that throttle though, and the thunder roars across the neighborhood. And, yes, I like my windshield. That famous image titled "Stormrider"? That's been me, many times. https://www.customautotrim.com/img/windowsgraphics/rwg2018.jpg [customautotrim.com] You KNOW how much it hurts to be pelted with big fat rain drops, and even sleet or hail. Bugs can be just as bad - ride across the Sabine River when the buffalo gnats are in season.
I'm with you on the black though. Most other color schemes are either gay or sissy. Chrome? A little chrome goes a long way. Gold or black anodizing looks better, IMO.
Finally, though, V-twins are notorious for rattling themselves apart. I know, everyone says they aren't like that anymore. People claim that the Harley Wannabe imports don't shake, rattle, and roll. Whatever people say, I've seen plenty of Harleys on the side of the road, with the rider wrenching stuff back on.
I expect to ride 8,000 to 12,000 miles between tire changes, and to NOT do any work on my bike until I'm ready for a new tire. I really and truly expect that. It's how I've ridden since my first Kawasaki.
Long story short - if you can hear my motorcycle, I'm almost certainly breaking the law. ;^) Further, if the cops are after me, I can give them the slip, get out of sight, then ride QUIETLY out of the neighborhood. Good luck with stealth mode on a V-twin!!
Abortion is the number one killed of children in the United States.
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Sunday April 09 2017, @07:05PM (3 children)
Man, I've been hit in the chest by birds and I'm still not having a sissyfied piece of plastic on anything I ride. Bikes aren't about getting from one place to another and they're not about comfort, they're about the power, the freedom, and the experience.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 10 2017, @01:06AM (2 children)
> ... they're about the power, the freedom, and the experience.
Look, I liked "Easy Rider" too, but that was a movie, not reality.
I've been riding since I built a mini-bike from steel tubing at age 12. For me it is about minimalism (no need to lug around a car for one person), economy (great mileage on small and mid-sized motorcycles), and reducing trip time (getting around traffic, park close to destination).
I hope your world has room for utilitarian motorcyclists too (??)
(Score: 3, Funny) by The Mighty Buzzard on Monday April 10 2017, @01:21AM (1 child)
Room? Sure. Respect? Nope.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 10 2017, @03:22AM
Ah, so your current sig explains your position perfectly, thanks.