Owner's Review My 2018 MXR was just delivered. First ride thoughts....


synics

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New Jersey
Just got the 2018 MXR delivered yesterday. Only had 9 hours on it. So I rode the bike for the first time quickly in varied terrain just now. Initial thoughts of Pro’s and Cons:


Cons:

1.
Waaaaay too much engine braking. I’m used to none on my other electric dirt bike, and my 2017 KTM 350 XC-F deff has way less as well. The Alta practically stops you.

2. The thing is LOUD, way louder than I thought it would be. Part of that is probably due to the chain being loose, but still, you’re not creeping up on anyone. I think I was expecting it to me more like my other electric hub motor dirt bike that’s 100% silent.

3. The seat is too hard. May have to order a seat concepts comfort seat.

4. The throttle has a very strong return spring in it, it's actually kind of tiring on the hand to hold it back. Although, I will say there’s less chance of whiskey with this throttle.

5. I used 3 bars of battery just ripping it around in a grass field and a couple hill climbs for 4 miles in mostly mode 2. That’s not good, the way I ride I deff won’t be getting hours of ride time.

6. I’m 6’ 1” with long arms, so the bars are too swept back for me. I had to ride with my wrists bent down. Since I’m a woods rider I’m going to trim a half inch off each side and see if rolling them forward helps. If not, it will be the pro taper low damper bar like I have on the KTM.

7. Since it’s heavier than the 350, I noticed the braking distance is longer, something I’m going to have to keep in mind. Part of that may also be the 19 skinnier wheel. I’m used to an 18” 110, which will be going on this bike next week. So we’ll see if that helps.

8. Getting it up on the moto stand is awkward. Gonna have to get another lift stand.


Pros:

1.
It’s fast. Map 3 and 4 kind of felt the same to me. But I feel Map 2 will be good for the woods. Only thing that concerns me though is it doesn’t have that initial clutch pop to get over logs and such. Hmmm, maybe map 4 for that? More throttle twist maybe…

2. It’s easy to ride for sure. Obviously not clutching and shifting, just throttle twisting. I feel that it also allows me to focus on handling a bit more.

3. Love how you can just stop and not here and feel the loud engine running, along with the heat and vibration. That’s awesome.

4. Suspension is decent, but I will be needing to set the sag and mess with the clickers and such. I also haven’t taken it on a decent real ride yet so this is kind of TBD.

5. I didn’t get as many dirty looks riding around the neighborhood back to my house as with the super loud 350, haha.

I have a lot of mods I’m going to make on it, so we'll see as time goes on. I don’t feel like I made a bad decision through. It’s deff fun!

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Trialsman

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I have an idea for us woods riders who want a clutch, but I need a donor throttle assembly from and EXR or MXR to experiment with. Someone may have a broken or cut one they no longer want or can use.
 

Oded

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Israel
Congratulations on the new bike!

The Alta is louder than hub motors electric bike. To make it less noisy, you can switch to an X-ring chain, and also make sure the gear oil level is correct. Fresh oil may also help.

You can try diffetent maps by uploading the SM maps to your bike (you will need the Multitool setup for it).
These maps have very different characteristics between 1-4. However map 4 which is brutal also have a very pronounce motor breaking. Maps 1-2 almost none.
I use these maps on my EX for trail and love it.
 

synics

Well-known member
Likes
68
Location
New Jersey
Congratulations on the new bike!

The Alta is louder than hub motors electric bike. To make it less noisy, you can switch to an X-ring chain, and also make sure the gear oil level is correct. Fresh oil may also help.

You can try diffetent maps by uploading the SM maps to your bike (you will need the Multitool setup for it).
These maps have very different characteristics between 1-4. However map 4 which is brutal also have a very pronounce motor breaking. Maps 1-2 almost none.
I use these maps on my EX for trail and love it.
Thanks for your response yeah I ordered a pro taper slim pro o-ring chain, so we'll see if that makes any difference. How do I get those other maps on this bike like what does the multi-tool require and where do I get to download information? Is there any chance of bricking this thing by doing that?
 

Oded

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Israel
All the information about setting up and using the multitiol can be found here -

I wouldn't rush into it. Ride and get to know the bike, than start tweaking 😉
 

Mark911

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Corona Ca
Multitool can update the firmware, but unless the firmware altered the various maps (it did a little bit between some versions) you can't change the map parameters (ie: power setting, decel, max RPM, rev acceleration, deadbands, etc). Once upon a time there was a big call within the community for Alta to release the software or have someone hack something that would allow the owner to change these, but I haven't seen much interest lately. People are probably too scared to mess with hacking their bikes now.
 

Philip

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Lake Havasu City, AZ
Only thing that concerns me though is it doesn’t have that initial clutch pop to get over logs and such. Hmmm, maybe map 4 for that? More throttle twist maybe…
My local Alta sales rep promised to send me a video of his buddy hopping a stock Alta onto a 6-foot step-up, just like in a trials competition. That was a long time ago, so we may never see this actual video, but do believe him that this indeed happened. How he did such a thing without a clutch -- I have no idea.
 

synics

Well-known member
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Location
New Jersey
My local Alta sales rep promised to send me a video of his buddy hopping a stock Alta onto a 6-foot step-up, just like in a trials competition. That was a long time ago, so we may never see this actual video, but do believe him that this indeed happened. How he did such a thing without a clutch -- I have no idea.
yeah I'd deff have to see that to believe it, haha
 

AJLats17

Member
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10
Location
New Jersey
Congratulations on the new bike!

The Alta is louder than hub motors electric bike. To make it less noisy, you can switch to an X-ring chain, and also make sure the gear oil level is correct. Fresh oil may also help.

You can try diffetent maps by uploading the SM maps to your bike (you will need the Multitool setup for it).
These maps have very different characteristics between 1-4. However map 4 which is brutal also have a very pronounce motor breaking. Maps 1-2 almost none.
I use these maps on my EX for trail and love it.
I saw your note about changing gear oil I have 2018 mxr n have about 1100 miles on it n just today started engine braking like I was holding rear brake way more than normal. I’ve never checked or changed gear oil. Is there a video how to do this on here?
 

synics

Well-known member
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Location
New Jersey
I saw your note about changing gear oil I have 2018 mxr n have about 1100 miles on it n just today started engine braking like I was holding rear brake way more than normal. I’ve never checked or changed gear oil. Is there a video how to do this on here?
Just go on YouTube and electro-brap has a video showing how to do it. It's very easy.
 

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