Alta Motors Redshift MX Electric Dirt Bike Review

A few years ago electric dirt bikes were very expensive and not as functional as their gasoline counterparts. Recently this has started to change, with developments in the battery industry leading to smaller cells that can deliver substantially more power to the motor.

True you still won’t get as much riding time as you would on a gasoline dirt bike. However, electric models are now much better and more affordable than they were a few years ago.

The Alta motors redshift MX electric dirt bike is a full-sized dirt bike. It incorporates the latest electric motor technology to provide all the fun of a gasoline engine without a carbon footprint. This bike still can’t be ridden for as long as a gasoline one. However, the 42 horsepower engine can still provide up to 4 hours of riding time when fully charged.

If you are still skeptical about electric bikes. Then this review is here to give you the low down on just what Redshift can do. We’ll be covering all of its features from the chassis to the engine so you can see just how far electric motorcycles have come. Also, how much further do they have to go?

Since Alta motors shut down in 2018 this bike has been discontinued. Since it represented such a leap forward in the world of Electric dirt bikes this review exists now for the sake of posterity. If you find one of these bikes second hand they are a worthy investment for an excellent electric dirt bike.

The Engine Specs of Alta Motors Redshift MX Electric Dirt Bike

We’ll be kicking off our review with the most important part of any dirt bike, the engine. As we said above the electric motor on the Redshift MX can generate up to 42 horsepower with a peak torque of 120 lb-ft.

The PMAC brushless motor offers higher efficiency and better performance than an AC induction motor. This bike is also much easier to maintain than a gasoline model since it will never need an oil change or refueling.

As well as the engine there needs to be a control unit. Which acts as the bike’s onboard computer so all the electrical components work the way they should. For such an important part it is essential to avoid overheating. So, the control unit is liquid-cooled to provide optimal performance even when the bike is pushed to its limits.

The Battery And Speed Settings

The main thing that separates the Alta motors redshift MX electric dirt bike from other electric bikes, is its 5.8KWh battery which uses technology similar to that of a Telsa. Containing 400 lithium-ion cells, this component makes up most of the bike’s 267lb weight.

This battery is built to last 1 hour completely submerged in water. So, no need to worry about it short-circuiting when exposed to mud or rain.

Naturally, pushing the engine to its full potential will drain the battery faster. This is why this bike has 4 different modes for controlling your speed and energy consumption. The different maps are labeled eco, sport, performance, and overclocked. It is easy to switch between them using a switch on the left handlebar.

Overclocking is obviously just for those moments when you need to be using max speed, and staying in this mode will rapidly drain your battery. Meanwhile, in eco mode, you can cruise along dirt tracks for up to 4 hours before you will need a recharge.

This brings us to the matter of recharging. Unlike other electric dirt bikes, the Redshift MX features two off-board chargers that can be used for fast and regular charging.

If you have time to spare it will be better to use the 120V charger which will take up to three hours to get your battery to 100%. The 240V fast charger on the other hand will replenish your battery in just two hours. Making it useful when you want to take your bike out at short notice.

Both of these options are faster than many other electric dirt bikes. Some of them need to be charged for 12 hours before they can be ridden!

The Chassis

The Alta motors redshift MX electric dirt bike has an aluminum forged frame to protect all of its essential components from sudden impacts.

Meanwhile, the plastic subframe helps to make up for some of the weight added by the battery and is fiber-reinforced for extra durability.

In terms of suspension, there is a 4CS front fork and a 5018 link-type shock absorber for the rear. These are certainly not the best suspension systems, especially compared to the upgraded Redshift MXR. However, they are still more than enough to do the job.

Wheels And Tires

If you’re going to be ripping up dirt tracks at high speeds and performing sweet jumps. You are going to need some sturdy tires that are up to the job.

For many people, this is the first part of a dirt bike that they will replace so they can kit it out with the best tires on the market. However, with the Redshift MX, there is no need. This bike comes with warp 9 elite wheels and Bridgestone Battlecross X30 tires so you can expect perfect traction and stability in all conditions.

Pros

• Made from high-quality parts
• Welded aluminum frame
• Up to 4 hours of riding time on a full battery
• 42 horsepower motor capable of producing up to 120lb-ft of torque
• Fast charging option
• Zero carbon footprint

Cons

• 2-3 hour charging time
• The battery only lasts 25mins on the highest speed setting
• It weighs 267 lbs which is heavier than some gasoline bikes with a full tank.

Buyers Guide

When buying an electric dirt bike you will want to be looking at many of the same things you would for a gasoline gas powered-driven bike. The suspension, wheels, driveshaft, and engine specs will all be very similar to other dirt bikes you have looked at and as such should be easy to understand.

However, there are some crucial differences in the way these bikes work. In this section, we will be covering these differences and how they should inform your purchase.

Ride Time Vs Charging Time

The biggest difference between gasoline and electric dirt bikes is the fact that you have to recharge them rather than refuel them. Obviously, this can save you some money on gasoline but you will have to spend more time getting your vehicle ready to ride.

Many of the top-tier electric bikes offer up to 3-4 hours of ride time in exchange for 3-6 hours of charging. Batteries made of different lithium compounds may offer a better or worse ride: charge ratio. You should always look into a bike’s range in both hours and miles before making a purchase.

The Speed Settings

Instead of gears, most electric bikes will have speed settings that you switch between using a trigger on one of the handlebars. Without a clutch or traditional gearbox, some riders may struggle at first.

Always remember that traveling up the various speed modes will be much faster than shifting gears. So, expect a sudden burst of power as soon as pull in the throttle on a higher performance mode.

The higher speed settings will drain the battery much faster. So, you will need to monitor your speed and power consumption more carefully than you would on a gasoline bike.

Brakes

Some electric bikes will have automatic brakes that will kick in when you release the throttle. Some riders will not like this feature as they will prefer to control their own braking for maximum speed and pulling off tricky maneuvers.

There are other electric dirt bikes that have standard brakes so always double-check which system a given model uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can My Electric Dirt Bike Get Wet?

The Alta Redshift MX is like many other electric dirt bikes in that it is waterproof but only to a certain degree. The battery on the MX can be left underwater for up to an hour without being damaged, so it is very capable of handling mud and rain. However, you should still never leave your dirt bike out in wet weather for prolonged periods of time or it will be likely to deteriorate.

Can I Charge My Electric Dirt Bike While Out On The Track?

The major limitation of any electric dirt bike is its battery life. Even the best electric motors can’t last as long on the track as a traditional gas powered-driven engine with a full tank of gas.

However, you could always buy a compact portable generator for recharging your bike while out on the track.

These generators can be packed in your dirt bike trailer along with your vehicle. Also, it will allow you to top up your bike’s battery without having to drive home and plug it into the mains.

Even with the fast charge ability some bikes have, this may still take a few hours so it won’t always be viable, but it could provide a solution if you are attending an event and need to recharge between tracks.

Final Thoughts

If this is your first electric bike, you may find there is a bit of a learning curve when getting used to all the different features. The lack of a clutch may throw some riders at first. However, once you get used to it this bike can perform just as well as many gasoline models, and in some respects even better.

Overall if you are looking to try an electric dirt bike, the Alta motors redshift MX electric dirt bike is a great model to start with. Not only is it made from premium parts but Alta has used cutting-edge technology to avoid the usual limitations of battery-powered motors.

You still have to charge it before every use, but this is a small price to pay for a high-powered and eco-friendly dirt biking experience.