There’s a tension to riding any kind of bike, no matter what powerplant it uses—or whether it’s even powered at all. Basic pedal-type bicycles require you to go at least a certain speed, or else they’ll start to fall over. Powered bikes, do, too—only they’re heavier, and having one land on you if you fall will probably hurt more.
Dirt bikes have an additional tension, though. While good traction is essential for any bike, the traction challenge increases exponentially out in the dirt. It’s that challenge that the late, great electric motorbike company Alta Motors attempted to best. Balancing on that particular razor’s edge, and finding the optimal balance of power and traction to make MX riders happy, was where Alta lived.
