Talk me into buying an Alta. Talk me out of buying an Alta.

[F451]

Context: MXR or EXR would be fine. I'm an old 58 yr old, not too healthy, slow trail rider and pretty lazy. No racing. No mx. Prefer single track with a mix of smooth slalom type trails and sections of nasty gnar mixed in to keep it interesting.

Yes:
Super fun bike!
It's so quiet!
Lack of clutch and gears may be a good thing for the gnar (seemed to work great on my one test ride on some easy single track)
Lack of engine vibes is a major plus, never would have thought that until I rode one, my KTM feels down right agricultural now. Damn it.
It's a real EV dirt bike.
Its better for the environment then a comparable ICE bike (let me have this one even if you disagree with my opinion on this one, I realize not everyone agrees and that's cool).
Lower maint vs ICE bike.
I've wanted one for ever.
I'm not getting any younger and damn it, its ok to splurge on myself.
No gas to worry about, minimal nasty chemicals to keep it going.

No:
Alta is tits up, parts, support, etc are all in question now. Damn it.
Bike could croak at any time (like any machine) and I may be in for a huge repair bill, IF it can be fixed, parts sourced, etc.
I may or may not be able to ever sell for a reasonable amount should I choose to sell it someday. (I realize this is up for debate but it is a real possibility)
Bikes value may plummet the second one of the majors releases a comparable EV dirt bike.
I would have to sell my beloved Porsche 928 to fund the the Alta purchase (did I just write that? Wow).
I'm a worrier.
I'm a compulsive worrier.

Am I missing anything pro/con?

Just like some of my business investments, I'm thinking I should't make this purchase unless I'm willing to potentially lose a good chunk of change. I've lost some cash over the years that way and I'm ok with that, but I'm really struggling with this one.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks guys! -Eddie

Ps: my one and only Alta ride, a quick rip through woods last fall. OMG, I want one! 3 weeks later Alta is tits up. Damn it. Lol. (don't mind the lack of gear, I'm usually ATGATT)

 

[ElectroBraap]

Step 1. Watch all my videos : Electrobraap’s channel here
Step 2. Disregard all cons
Step 3. Buy an Alta
Step 4. Love the Alta
Step 5. Never admit to any wrong doing or poor choices. Defend the bike with your life! No regrets.
Step 6. Profit?

Ok! Ready! Break!

 

[Trialsman]

My mistake was getting off my FreeRide while we were riding in Highland Park, GA. I got off to take a test ride on an Alta and darned if it didn't follow me home. I have since bought an EXR but the one I bought in GA has only 7.9 hrs on it, I made it totally street legal (ala ex), and looks perfectly new. Check it out in the bikes for sale section. Sorry for the plug. I have no intention of doing without my Alta from now on. In two weeks I will be going back down to ride single track in GA and I am only taking the Alta. Buy one you will not regret it.

 

[F451]

That is too funny! The same weekend I test rode the Alta, I also got to put some miles on a KTM 350 XCF-W finally, a bike I have had my eye on for some time. That was Saturday. 5 seconds into riding the KTM I wanted one bad! Decided to sell my very well setup, single track assassin Husky WR165 (125 with kit) that I thought I would never sell, to buy a 350. That was Saturday.

Sunday afternoon rolls around, I'm all packed up to leave, stop by the Alta tent to chat, the sales guy insists I take it for a quick spin. I do. Whoa, hold on here, what is going on?! Forget about the 350, I want an Alta! Then Alta went out of business so I got a KTM, love it, but still want an Alta.

The Alta / KTM garage would have all my moto needs met.

 

[F451]

Ok! Ready! Break!

Ha ha, been a long time since anyone's said that to me. As a former defensive captain on my "midget" football team from back in the day, I said that with as much authority as an 11 year could muster many times, Lol.

 

[Judaslefourbe]

While we will not be able to help fix 100% of the bikes, a lot of ex-Altans are visiting this forum regularly and, with the community here, it should get you through most pickles.

 

[OneLapper]

There are some great deals to be had on Altas.

There are many of us working on getting spare parts, NOS parts, and new parts from the OEM vendors.

The scariest problem to have is with the batteries. We are working hard to come up with solutions for the four Code 36 modules that we are aware and have documented that are out there.

Many, many spare NOS parts will become available. That got slowed up by the frantic bidding on ebay which left a bunch of hurt feelings. People are working on how to sell parts without it being so ....... ugly.

I would buy another Alta with confidence. I honestly believe that spares and support will be available for years to come.

This truly is an amazing collection of owners, here, on this forum.

 

[Philip]

Zero regrets here as well. The only regret is not buying my first Alta a year earlier.

 

[snydes]

The good news for you is you are already buying in low, unless of course you buy from one of these dealers who are still asking MSRP. You will have significantly less at stake than most of us.


My best recommendation is find a nice used bike that has some time on it with current firmware. That’s what I’d do. And I think I’d lean towards MX’s or EX’s.

 

[Rix]

I bought my Alta on 09/22/18, about 3 weeks before black wednesday or thursday. No regrets, I am a former desert and enduro racer (A rider) but haven't raced in decades. I just trail and desert ride my EXR, taking it easy and enjoying the ride for the pure sake of riding. If I had went the gas bike route, it would have been a KTM XCF350. Glad I didn't though. It is an intimidating concern not having any manufacture support, but there is no better bike out there for my riding needs. And if I can keep it running until my loan is paid off, it will all be worth it. These machines are the best and I can't believe they aren't being made any more.

 

[Philip]

And I think I’d lean towards MX’s or EX’s.

Definitely an MX or EX for slow trail riding. It has a slightly longer range, and the A-pack batteries and electronics appear to be more reliable.

 

[Redwolf]

There's a downside to owning one of our bikes?? Bullshit.

 

[Silent But Dirty]

My best advice would be to find a used one with a good amount of hours on it. Hopefully that way you will be safe from any battery issues

 

[Mikec265]

I've only owned motocross bikes 125/250/500 2strokes and 250/450 4 strokes. My MXR is by far my favorite bike to ride. The stock suspension settings suck for MX, but for just trail riding I think you would be happy long time. You can't beat the easy to change filters, and trips to the wall outlet at home for race gas. With my suspension done, my only complaints would be stupid things that don't matter much. Overall at the moment there isn't a better bike unless you want to race the Baja 500. There's people on here that are smart enough to figure things out, so I decided to keep my bike and dump over a grand in it instead of selling.

 

[F451]

Hmm, everyone on the Alta owners forum is strongly recommending buying one. Who would have thought? Ha ha.

No seriously, thank you all for the input, its greatly appreciated! And pretty much what I was expecting.

I am going to keep reading and learning here. I'm seriously leaning towards buying one, maybe even before I sell my 928 (which could be a few months). The warmer riding season is right around the corner here, it would be fun to have the Alta ready to go. I do a lot of riding at a friends property near by, 80 acres of killer single track with some nice terrain to keep the skills sharp. Its close to my house. The Alta would be the perfect ripper there, no range anxiety because you're always within a short ride of the parking area. Once I got comfortable with what range I would get from an Alta with my riding style I could start venturing out on some of the amazing riding we have out here.

Thanks again for taking the time to chime in everyone! I'll keep you guys posted if I end up getting one. Actually, I'll be crowing about it on here for all I am worth since none of my ICE riding bud's are showing the least interest in the Alta's when I've mentioned how killer it is, which seems strange to me but it is what it is. -Eddie

 

[Redwolf]

When you get your new Alta, come on over to the Penninsula and I will give you a tour of some of my local trails.

 

[F451]

When you get your new Alta, come on over to the Penninsula and I will give you a tour of some of my local trails.

Very kind of you! I am always up for a local taking me out on their favorite trails. I've got access to my buddies property in Monroe, WA 24/7. 80 acres of killer single track. Its not scenic mountain riding, but it is a fun place to rip. If you're ever up for the ride over this way let me know and we will rip it up out there.

 

[F451]

New plan and I am excited! Some times insomnia is a good thing!

Realized last night that instead of temporarily dipping into the family savings to make an Alta purchase which I always try to avoid at all costs, and instead of waiting months to finish the work on my 928 so I can sell it to fund an Alta purchase (which I REALLY don't want to do), I think I will instead sell, or trade my KTM 350. I will have no problem selling the KTM quickly for a good price, and if I'm lucky I may be able to work a trade with someone. I know Skagit Powersports has their demo '17 MX (the one I rode) for sale, perhaps I can work a trade with them for that bike.

Additionally, I am in the process of finishing up a refresh on my '05 Beta 525, should be done in a few weeks, so I won't be without an ICE bike for long, or at all. Once I see how things go with the Alta, I can then sell the Beta as planned to fund parts for my 928.

Finish up the 928, drive it around this summer, decide what to do with it in the fall. If I am missing an ICE bike terribly, I can sell the 928 at any time, or even the Alta if I don't like it and pick up another ICE bike.

Bottom line, I get an Alta sooner, rather then later. I get my 928 finished up, and I have all kinds of options going forward, and I don't dip into the family savings.

Why didn't I come up with this plan first? I still have EV bike paranoia, especially range anxiety and I didn't want to be without my KTM ICE bike. But I really don't ride up in the mountains and back country that much and I have access to my buddies place right down the road where the Alta would be perfect, so I think I've decided I can give the KTM up for now.

Boom. Done.

 

[Redwolf]

I love it when a plan comes together!

 

[Rix]

New plan and I am excited! Some times insomnia is a good thing!

Realized last night that instead of temporarily dipping into the family savings to make an Alta purchase which I always try to avoid at all costs, and instead of waiting months to finish the work on my 928 so I can sell it to fund an Alta purchase (which I REALLY don't want to do), I think I will instead sell, or trade my KTM 350. I will have no problem selling the KTM quickly for a good price, and if I'm lucky I may be able to work a trade with someone. I know Skagit Powersports has their demo '17 MX (the one I rode) for sale, perhaps I can work a trade with them for that bike.

Additionally, I am in the process of finishing up a refresh on my '05 Beta 525, should be done in a few weeks, so I won't be without an ICE bike for long, or at all. Once I see how things go with the Alta, I can then sell the Beta as planned to fund parts for my 928.

Finish up the 928, drive it around this summer, decide what to do with it in the fall. If I am missing an ICE bike terribly, I can sell the 928 at any time, or even the Alta if I don't like it and pick up another ICE bike.

Bottom line, I get an Alta sooner, rather then later. I get my 928 finished up, and I have all kinds of options going forward, and I don't dip into the family savings.

Why didn't I come up with this plan first? I still have EV bike paranoia, especially range anxiety and I didn't want to be without my KTM ICE bike. But I really don't ride up in the mountains and back country that much and I have access to my buddies place right down the road where the Alta would be perfect, so I think I've decided I can give the KTM up for now.

Boom. Done.

The reason why you started this thread was to get some ideas, and because of the input you received, you came up with a solution that works. Like Redwolf said in the voice of Hannibal Smith, your plan is coming together nicely.