Alta motors ceases operations

[FreeRyde]

Harley's track record for taking over MC brands and decimating them is kind of proven.
DKW, Aermacchi, MV Agusta, Buell,

Is Harley at fault here? Or could it be that they invested in companies to only find out after the major captail investment that the newly partnered company is on its way to the shredder? Before major mergers, it is a known fact that smaller companies pump their books, fire employees and make insane exhibitions of wealth and technological advancement that doesn't exist. Each side thinks they are getting the golden ticket in mergers/major investments...

We can hate on Harley all we want, but the fact of the matter is they are still here and thriving. Buell never thrived, MV Agusta has floundered for the past few decades, and wtf does DKW/Aermacchi have to do with this? Those were in the 40's (war reparations, DKW had no say in the matter) and in the 70's... ?

As non Harley riders we often hate on HD as much as humanly possible, but the underlying truth is that they have the best marketing department and business platform out of all the MC companies in the world. Numbers don't lie folks.

 

[augustiron]

This makes me sad.

Best wishes to all involved.

 

[dangerzone02]

Is Harley at fault here? Or could it be that they invested in companies to only find out after the major captail investment that the newly partnered company is on its way to the shredder? Before major mergers, it is a known fact that smaller companies pump their books, fire employees and make insane exhibitions of wealth and technological advancement that doesn't exist. Each side thinks they are getting the golden ticket in mergers/major investments...

We can hate on Harley all we want, but the fact of the matter is they are still here and thriving. Buell never thrived, MV Agusta has floundered for the past few decades, and wtf does DKW/Aermacchi have to do with this? Those were in the 40's (war reparations, DKW had no say in the matter) and in the 70's... ?

As non Harley riders we often hate on HD as much as humanly possible, but the underlying truth is that they have the best marketing department and business platform out of all the MC companies in the world. Numbers don't lie folks.

+1 My guess is that HD nailed when they saw the books and Altas burn rate only allowed a short number of months before they went under. HD probably wanted a more self-sufficient and not one that needed millions pumped into it.

 

[2strokeYardSale]

Yeah, blame Harley... The best marketing firm on the planet.
Instead, how about you blame Alta's fundamentally flawed business model?

Design and manufacture motorcycles, sell motorcycles through motorcycle dealers. That's a fundamentally flawed business model?

 

[Mario]

I rode their sumo, fantastic bike. Even interviewed with them to join their power electronics team. Sad. Hope they get acquired and the technology/employees gets passed on.

 

[thedub]

Design and manufacture motorcycles, sell motorcycles through motorcycle dealers. That's a fundamentally flawed business model?

It's never worked before!

 

[gixxerjeff]

Fuck
Fuck
Fuck
Fuck
Fuck
......
And after such a good showing at the hillclimb a few week back.
This breaks my heart.

 

[HadesOmega]

Damn after they were getting such good social revenue racing. Hopefully they hang in there. Selling motorcycles is tough selling electric motorcycles even tougher. Mission Motors and Victory met the same fates.

 

[redtail]

it is a known fact that smaller companies pump their books, fire employees and make insane exhibitions of wealth and technological advancement that doesn't exist.

Damn, someone forgot to tell Harley about this practice.

 

[tootall424]

Seriously.... why would anyone want to spend $14k+ on a dirtbike or supermoto that can only work for a couple hours before needing a multi-hour recharge. Besides, people ride dirtbikes to make loud brappy noises and e-bikes provide none of this. It certainly didn't look good at Erzberg when Alta couldn't even finish the race.

When are we going to see e-bikes with enough battery to go a long distance? Enough of the pocket bikes and race bikes. With battery technology where it currently sits, give us enough battery to go somewhere without developing severe range anxiety. Performance will follow. It's just like how 4 stroke dirt bikes used to suck until the modern 450's came out.

You apparently have never ridden an Alta. First of all, only 23 riders out of 500 finished the race so finishing is a huge deal. Alta planned on having two riders compete but some POS stole half of their bikes. Furthermore, Ty Tremaine qualified on the front row (a huge deal) and Lyndon qualified on the third row on the shared bike. Finally, he made it to checkpoint 8 using an aggressive pit strategy that didn't pan out but he still finished better than 60% of the racers out there. For their first time at the biggest hard enduro in the world I think they did DAMN well.

 

[Butch]

Dude...

Let’s go riding and you can try my Alta. It way rocks. Then you will understand, grasshopper.

Seriously.... why would anyone want to spend $14k+ on a dirtbike or supermoto that can only work for a couple hours before needing a multi-hour recharge. Besides, people ride dirtbikes to make loud brappy noises and e-bikes provide none of this. It certainly didn't look good at Erzberg when Alta couldn't even finish the race.

When are we going to see e-bikes with enough battery to go a long distance? Enough of the pocket bikes and race bikes. With battery technology where it currently sits, give us enough battery to go somewhere without developing severe range anxiety. Performance will follow. It's just like how 4 stroke dirt bikes used to suck until the modern 450's came out.

 

[gixxerjeff]

Is Harley at fault here? Buell never thrived,

Buell never had a chance. Harley began poking holes in that boat before it even had a chance to leave the dock.
You've actually made a few good points here but this isn't one of them.

 

[frozenuts]

The Alta was the best electric bike I have ridden.

 

[sckego]

You apparently have never ridden an Alta. First of all, only 23 riders out of 500 finished the race so finishing is a huge deal. Alta planned on having two riders compete but some POS stole half of their bikes. Furthermore, Ty Tremaine qualified on the front row (a huge deal) and Lyndon qualified on the third row on the shared bike. Finally, he made it to checkpoint 8 using an aggressive pit strategy that didn't pan out but he still finished better than 60% of the racers out there. For their first time at the biggest hard enduro in the world I think they did DAMN well.

If I'm not mistaken, said POS stole ALL the bikes, and a customer volunteered his bike to the team for the one guy to ride.

 

[ThumperX]

Don't forget Josh Hill's breathtaking win on the Alta

 

[Butch]

I talked to an Alta emplyee today and he said they were still supporting the current race efforts.

BARF, tell me...

 

[RightCoastBias]

If I'm not mistaken, said POS stole ALL the bikes, and a customer volunteered his bike to the team for the one guy to ride.

Only Lyndon's bikes were stolen.

 

[KooLaid]

Bet Harley made an offer they couldn't refuse. $$

 

[budman]

The Alta is the best electric bike I have ridden.

Fixed amigo.

 

[JMardy]

Was riding next to a guy on a Redshift SM down Geary a month or two ago and it was wheelies off every light. I stared at him the way a teenage boy stares at a supermodel.
No wait. Staring at the bike!