It took almost three hours to re-charge a completely depleted battery and perhaps the biggest negative was the $14,995 price tag. The suspension was pretty soft and not up to aggressive motocross track riding. The power decreased a little as soon as the battery dipped below 75%. (You just might have to replace the chain and sprockets every now and then.) The lack of sound also opens a lot of riding options as the Alta can be ridden on a backyard track without your neighbors even knowing.Ĭlick here to read this in the Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine.īut we also noted a few negatives: The 2017 Redshift MX weighed in at 261 pounds, which is about 25-30 pound more than a current 250 four-stroke MX bike. The motor is basically maintenance free with a 1000-hour maintenance cycle and you don’t need to clean air filters or change the oil. The lack of a shifter allows you to evenly weight both pegs and you don’t have to worry about being in the right gear or stalling the motor in tight and technical conditions. On the track and trails, the 2017 Redshift MX had some advantages over a standard internal combustion-powered motorcycle. We also noted that electric powered cars have proven to be among the quickest production cars available, so the technology is there but it is challenging to squeeze that down to fit into a motorcycle. You can read that story by clicking HERE. Is the future of motocross going to be powered by batteries? If so, are we there yet? We got to spend a full day at the motocross track riding the 2018 Alta Redshift MXR to try to answer these questions.Īs we reported in our first test of the 2017 Alta Redshift MX last year, we came away impressed with the design, build quality, and performance. Even the LiveWire sports bike is no replacement for any model in their range of cruisers, tourers and trikes.More power, better suspension and a lower price tag, but can it replace your gas-powered bike? Just don’t expect their range of electric bikes to replace any of their current line-up. “We are energised by the great enthusiasm among our dealers who also want Harley-Davidson to define and lead two-wheeled electrification.” “Already, hundreds of US dealers have raised their hands to be among the first EV-ready dealers,” he says. Harley is now planning their own satellite product development centre called H-D LiveWire Labs in Silicon Valley to develop electric bikes and other future product.Ĭompany boss Matt Levatich says they have started conducting EV Readiness seminars with dealers. Their partnership ended a couple of months ago before Alta was doomed by a lack of financial backing, despite technological acumen and even some race wins. Interestingly, Harley partnered with Alta Motors to gain vital battery technology before the latter ceased operations, despite the injection of Harley funding. They call them “lightweight urban” bikes. However, Harley also recently announced range of smaller electric bikes and scooters to be introduced in the next four years.Įlectric Everything: Peugeot Gets a Grip on DAB Motor Tech The big American has been trumpeting their entry to the electric motorcycle market with the LiveWire electric sports bike next year. Which seems to make a mockery of companies such as Curtiss and Lightning making big, powerful electric motorcycles. Big electrics doomed? Curtiss Zeus Prototype electric motorcycle So rather than electric motorcycles replacing petrol motorcycles, we are more likely to see a growth in these urban electric bikes first. Most are mopeds or “ebikes”, some with pedal assistance.īut even these models are improving with ABS, dual seats, luggage cargo capacity, increased range and higher top speeds. Similarly, Europe is bursting with electric scooters and small bikes. The biggest market for electric motorcycles in the world is China where small electric motorcycles and scooters dominate. Instead, two-wheeled electric power seems to be making more of a mark in urban mobility. Urban mobility Electric scooter/bike from E-Scooter (Image: Intermot) It’s just that it might not initially take the shape of bikes to replace our beloved machines. It is still the top-selling electric motorcycle company in the world.Įlectric power is definitely coming to two wheels. Meanwhile, Zero pulled out of Australia for the moment citing unfavourable exchange rates and taxes. You’d be forgiven for thinking that is the case given the recent demise of American off-road electric motorcycle company Alta Motors (pictured above) and the departure of Zero Motorcycles from Australia.īut Alta was doomed because they made high-end off-road motorcycles for a market that didn’t want them. Are electric motorcycles doomed even before they really get started?
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