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Alta motors ceases operations

gixxerjeff said:
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.
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Buell was around for 10 years, I think they had their chance.

I personally believe that Buell was far ahead of the curve. So far ahead that the market was only emerging in 2008 for naked bikes and big adventure bikes...
If you look at the past sales figures for Buell, it is pretty pathetic. This is due to many factors, but the major being the unreliable nature of their first few years of production engines and frames. Overcoming that kind of negative word of mouth is extremely hard to accomplish. We could talk about Buell all day, it was really the wrong place and wrong time all around, for all parties involved (HD + Buell).


(I have owned Buells, will undoubtedly own more, they are really fun bikes!)
 
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My previous posts were a bit off topic...


I am honestly saddened that Alta is done(?), losing yet another up and coming company in the MC world is never good. Especially one that is innovating and experimenting with the future of transportation.

But the cycle of business is vicious. If the management isn't careful with cash flow and angel investors money, plugs get pulled quickly and without regard for the company as a whole. Example: Tesla and their most recent reorganization.

It's all about money folks. At the most fundamental level, no one that is investing cares about innovation or the future, they only want a phat ROI. If they feel like the company can't, or won't be able to provide that in a timely manner, goodbye funding, RIP company.


RIP Alta.
 
Well it doesn't help that the #1 Silicon Valley investor in electric vehicles and new transportation (investor in Tesla, Lucid, Uber, Lyft, etc) is being accused of murdering a journalist.. bad timing.
 
frozenuts said:
The Alta was the best electric bike I have ridden.
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It's not the best electric bike I've ridden but it is the best electric dirtbike I have ridden. I'd have to say the Energica is on the top of my list for a motorcycle.
 
I find it suspect that the company has received multiple offers for investment and to be bought out, and yet they're going awash.

I'm going to point my finger at greed.


I rode one of these bikes. If I had the liquid cash to burn, I would absolutely buy one. I just have to be happy with the same two bikes going on a decade now.
 
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I was not expecting to see them run out of money so fast. They got $27MM June last year. I can't find any info on how much they got from HD, but reading that HD parted ways with Alta, I wonder if they banked on their investment and then found themselves out of that money when HD walked away?

https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/brd-motorcycles#section-funding-rounds

Red flag for me was when CEO was replaced last Oct right after funding, a solar/investment guy took his place. I was told this was done to take the company to the next step, hence why they got a growth oriented CEO. If they were doing so well that they got $27MM, why replace Marc? And it has been a year with this funding and new CEO and they are already winding down?
 
I have a buddy that worked there, he's really bummed. The oft overlooked fact is that the biggest risk to startup companies like this is often not technological or developmental, it's financing. Companies that have a long ramp to profitability are only able to operate as long as funding sources see a solid long term return potential. Financing risk is very real and many a good company that appeared to be growing well have gone under simply due to a lack of access to the capital necessary to function.
 
It really sucks, I am planning on my next motorcycle to be electric. Just waiting for price/range ratio to be somewhat reasonable.
 
I'm truly sorry to read this Marc. All my best and fingers crossed that this isn't the end of Alta with your command.
 
firstbuell said:
DKW?

please, tell me more
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DKW! Leading link forks!
Anyho, the rumors floating around the net-o-sphere are pretty hilarious.

One is that there will be an announcement Monday morning.
 
Not only the best electric bikes, one of the best bikes out there period if fits your needs. :thumbup

I've read rumors on at least two forums that Stefan Pierer is actually in the Bay Area right now, supposedly on "vacation." I wouldnt be surprised to hear on Monday or soon there after of a partnership with KTM. Regardless if the rumors I've read are true or not, I wouldnt be surprised if it were and KTM comes on board with Alta. It makes sense. :dunno

I hope for nothing but the best for Alta and its employees in the very near future. :thumbup
 
On “vacation” in Brisbane...
 
FreeRyde said:
RIP Alta.
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Given the tech, the quality of the build and the passion of the Alta Team I expect to see them bounce back myself.

Wish them the best of luck and I am sure the never give up attitude is in their make up.
 
Clem Kevin said:
I find it suspect that the company has received multiple offers for investment and to be bought out, and yet they're going awash.

I'm going to point my finger at greed.
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But we have no idea what came with the offer. Maybe someone wanted to buy the company just to kill the tech to remove competition and maybe the people selling the company would rather set the building on fire before they allowed that to happen. Like re-homing a pet, you kinda want to make sure it goes to a good home.

Archimedes said:
I have a buddy that worked there, he's really bummed. The oft overlooked fact is that the biggest risk to startup companies like this is often not technological or developmental, it's financing. Companies that have a long ramp to profitability are only able to operate as long as funding sources see a solid long term return potential. Financing risk is very real and many a good company that appeared to be growing well have gone under simply due to a lack of access to the capital necessary to function.
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Growth is absolutely one of the most dangerous times for a company, but the product is practically a niche within a niche and the overhead must be ridiculous. Someone will mention talent, but talent relative to region is not binary as is evident by ten thousand other companies that manage it just fine and talent can certainly be lured.
 
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