2018 ALTA REDSHIFT MXR
FIRST TEST
P80
With less moving
internal parts,
the Alta doesn't
fight the rider
when it comes
to the turns. It
goes where it's
pointed almost
effortlessly.
water-cooled 14,000 rpm brushless
motor. And the sub-frame is a two-
piece plastic unit that helps make up
for some of the weight penalty of the
battery. Perhaps the most important
part of any motorcycle is the "con-
nection between the throttle and the
wheel." This is where Alta has really
flexed their muscle. The control-
ler and four optional maps on the
Redshift MX provided a lot of options
and that carry over on the MXR but
each option now provides a lot more
power. Those four map options can
still be changed on the fly via
buttons on the handlebar.
Turn It On And Go
The first thing you notice when sitting
on the Redshift MX or MXR is the
lack of a clutch lever and once you
take off, you may find yourself looking
for the shifter, but you forget about
all of that very quickly. A lot of that is
because you are always in the right
gear that is always matched perfectly
to the power, so you're never tempted
to shift gears or grab the clutch.
The new MXR has some serious
power, especially in the most aggres-
sive map setting. Again, Alta claims
the MXR has 50 horsepower, and
produces 42 lb-ft of torque to the
rear wheel. With 50 horsepower right
off idle, you don't feel the need to
"clutch it" to find the sweet spot in
the power so you can focus more on
riding. The Redshift MX power is in
the range of a stock 250F while the
new MXR is in the range of a highly
modified 250F. And that power is
plenty to jump anything you would
do on a traditional 250F motocross
bike. The lack of motor sound is also
a little strange at first as you hear the
