KX Riders

General => In General... => Topic started by: snoopjonnyjon on August 06, 2010, 05:03:03 AM

Title: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: snoopjonnyjon on August 06, 2010, 05:03:03 AM
I ran across these today. They looks like a very nice bike. It is pretty badass to see another USA manufacturer step up. They are talking of producing 20,000 bikes a year in Tulsa, OK.... pretty huge. I wish I had watched it, but apparently Corey Green was riding a Highland at the X-games last week.

http://www.ushighland.com/2010USHighlandBrochure.pdf (http://www.ushighland.com/2010USHighlandBrochure.pdf)

FYI, the 950 street tracker is 268lbs. That is seriously light for a 950. They could sell a ton of these.

(http://www.ushighland.com/web_images/motocross.jpg)
(http://plugbike.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/us-highland-450MX-dirtrider.jpg)

(http://www.ushighland.com/web_images/crosscountry.jpg)

(http://www.ushighland.com/web_images/supermoto.jpg)

(http://www.ushighland.com/web_images/trail.jpg)

(http://www.ushighland.com/web_images/desert.jpg)

(http://www.ushighland.com/web_images/quadracer.jpg)

(http://www.ushighland.com/web_images/streettracker.jpg)

(http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/wp-content/gallery/us-highlanc/us-highland-950-dirt-track.jpg)

(http://www.ushighland.com/web_images/viking.jpg)
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: bigbellybob on August 06, 2010, 06:49:06 AM
the fenders on the quad look like old 4 traxs even got the indent for the kicker.
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: ID KX500 on August 06, 2010, 06:55:15 AM
Are the motors being manufactured in USA? I see the counter sprocket on the right, like a European build maybe?
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: snoopjonnyjon on August 06, 2010, 07:17:05 AM
The company was founded in Sweden. The bike posted in the second pic is one of the Swedish built bikes. The company has since reorganized is all US-based now. I believe everything is being built in their new 33,000 sq ft plant in Tulsa, OK now.
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: hughes on August 06, 2010, 07:24:09 AM
The Street Tracker is bad ass and I love you the retro look.
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: BDI on August 06, 2010, 07:30:44 AM
They really have the chain and kicker on the wrong sides? Holly hell we are doomed, this country will never produce a dirtbike that will sell worth a s**t. I bet the d**n thing will cost ten grand too.
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: snoopjonnyjon on August 06, 2010, 07:56:07 AM
I can't see in any pics, but it wouldn't surprise me if there is no kicker. Why does it matter if the chain is on the other side? I am sure the price will suck, but its still a neat bike. That Street Tracker especially. 268lbs! Thats less than my KLX650R pure offroad bike.
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: ID KX500 on August 06, 2010, 08:54:38 AM
Unless the price is right,,,and I mean less than Japanese bikes,,,they will join the dustheap with ATK and Cannondale.
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: snoopjonnyjon on August 06, 2010, 10:20:14 AM
http://www.joenoelstocks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/UHLN-initiation-report.pdf

It says here $12,000 for entry level 350... up to about $30,000 for a 950.
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: BDI on August 06, 2010, 11:17:01 AM
I'm over it. At those prices they might as well be concept bikes.
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: ID KX500 on August 06, 2010, 11:52:01 AM
Unless the price is right,,,and I mean less than Japanese bikes,,,they will join the dustheap with ATK and Cannondale.
Let me see Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, even KTM,,,, less money, proven engineering, 30-50 years of being there, parts, service, good times and bad. I learned my lesson with Husky in the 70s.
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: snoopjonnyjon on August 06, 2010, 02:44:33 PM
Are you kidding me? I'd rather track down parts for a 1970's Husqvarna or Maico than any of the jap mx bikes of the era.

I would still much rather have that street tracker than another cookie cutter chopper for the same money.
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: ID KX500 on August 06, 2010, 03:33:47 PM
Thanks for pointing out the Highland to us, it is a good looking bike. I'm just playing critic. I had looked very seriously at an ATK 700 intimidator in 03 when I bought my K5. The kawi was about 2500 less. ATK has gone nowhere.
Early 70s Huskys were good but in 74 both the 250 and 400 were built cheap. Maico was good. The USA market is great but Europe has always been an expensive source for us here. That is why I wondered about where the motor source was.
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: Larry Wiechman on August 08, 2010, 06:24:12 AM
Sad News
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2010/07/12/us-highland-motorcycles-partners-die-in-plane-crash/ (http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2010/07/12/us-highland-motorcycles-partners-die-in-plane-crash/)
 
Larry
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: BDI on August 08, 2010, 07:08:02 AM
WOW that sucks. How terrible is that.
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: Purpletj on August 08, 2010, 10:31:48 AM
I'm speechless.
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: greencannon on August 08, 2010, 05:34:37 PM
Wow, I was getting ready to take my turn on bashing this new bike and comapany until I read that.
Larry you party pooper.......
All joking aside, that is really sad
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: snoopjonnyjon on August 09, 2010, 07:08:32 AM
I read the 950cc v-twin is 150hp. I realize the price is terrible, but 150hp in a 268lb bike is going to be retardedly fast. Apparently Highland signed some deal with a "major OEM" to remarket some of these bikes under the OEM brand. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: ID KX500 on August 09, 2010, 11:03:02 AM
Sad indeed
Title: Re: US Highland motorcycles
Post by: Danger4u2 on August 09, 2010, 01:57:24 PM
It is sad.  The leadership team was lost.  I hope they can recover and keep the factory open.  Seems like a long shot coming out with a high end line of motorcycles in this economy.  They are just an hour and half drive from me.