US Highland Takes On the X-Games
Corey Green will ride a US Highland 450 MX in the 2010 X-Games Super X competition in LA this weekend. It is great to see US Highland pushing on after the devastating loss of Malmberg, Bales and Roddich. Super X should bring some great visibility to the US Highland effort.
US Highland will also have a presence off track at the X-Games to show off their extensive line of dirtbikes as well as the Streettracker and Viking road bikes. Check out the press release after the break for more information.
US Highland’s Malmberg, Bales And Roddich Killed in Plane Crash
Mats Malmberg (left) and Chase Bales (right) of US Highland in a recent Joseph Noel Interview
Yesterday US Highland President Mats Malmberg, COO Chase Bales and Director of Operations Damian Roddich were killed in while returning to Oklahoma in Bales’ Cessna 421. Malmberg had been working for years to bring Highland to the main stage and had finally looked to have perfected the formula for success.
Bales was truly interested in giving the riders what they want and was often found posting and talking with enthusiasts. No doubt these men will be missed. The riders who have been following US Highland know the impact this will have on US Highland and a company poised to change the motorsports industry. Sincerest condolences go out to the families of these men and to US Highland.
Source: Plug Bike Picture: Joseph Noel
Shineray X2 Transformer
Check out Shineray’s latest exercise in creative advertising. First at the ChongQing Motorcycle Expo / CIMTE 2008 we saw a full sized Shineray X2 turned into a 3D parts diagram mobile. Now Shineray brings us the Shineray X2 transformer. Seems the creative department at Shineray has “more than meets the eye”. Hit the break to see the video.
Dan Fischer’s MRX650 On Motorweek Two Wheelin’
Motorweek’s Two Wheelin’ recently featured the Fischer MRX 650. The segment had a nice summary of the history of the American made 650, a glimpse of the Fischer HQ and an interview with Mr. Fischer himself.
The frame is built by the same company that built the Harley VR1000 superbike and the 650cc engine provides similar usable power as the Suzuki SV650. However, the top shelf suspension and components combined with superbike handling make the MRX an even more versatile bike than the legendary SV.
Check out the video after the break.
ATK And Hyosung Enter 4 Year 33,000 Unit Deal
On May 25 Frank White of ATK USA and Taekwon Kim of S&T Motors signed a four year deal for ATK to rebrand and sell S&T vTwin motorcycles in the United States.
This is not the first agreement between S&T Motors and another powersports company to rebrand the Hyosung product line. United Motors had a four year deal to rebadged the Hyosung sport bikes, scooters and cruisers and eventually build their own bikes based on the Hyosung engine. In early 2009 United Motors closed it’s doors leaving a hole in S&T’s production output. Fischer Motors also produces the high spec Fischer MRX650 using a Hyosung 650cc engine licensed through S&T Motors.
The previous relationship between S&T and United Motors did cause some territorial disputes between UM and Hyosung USA, S&T Motor’s US distributor. No mention is made on any limits to territories ATK can sell the re-branded machines.
It is interesting that Harley Davidson does not acknowledge ATK’s plans to provide Harley dealerships with small to medium displacement vTwin cruisers. It is common to see scooters on the sales floor of Harley dealerships and with the Buell Blast no longer available for HD’s training programs the 250cc ATK cruisers should make a nice learner bike. This air cooled vTwin has a low seat height and is capable of 90 mph speeds.
Watch Fischer Motorcycles On MotorWeek This Weekend
This weekend MotorWeek episode #2938‘s Two Wheelin’ segment will feature a test ride and report on the Fischer MRX650.
The Fischer MRX650 is a rare breed of high spec American sport bike. Premium brakes, wheels and suspension on a custom designed Grand Prix chassis with 650cc vTwin power in Glynn Kerr designed bodywork.
Check your local TV schedule and Tune in to MotorWeek this weekend (5/22 – 5/23) to see the show. Check out Fischer Motorcycles homepage for more information on the MRX650.
US Highland In Talks With Global OEM
It appears US Highland is not only busy prepping it’s factory quality 450 and 950 cc motorcycles and 450 quads for sale in the United States. They are also in talks with a “large global OEM” for US Highland to manufacture bikes to be re-branded by this OEM.
The agreement is “tentative” so nothing is final but we will try to bring you more information. Looks like Highland changed their website a lot recently so have a look.
Hit the break to read the press release.
The First Annual EICMA China To Be Held June 11-13
June 11 through 13 is the dates of the first annual EICMA China motorcycle show. EICMA has been holding a show in Milan for many years. Now with the Chinese motorcycle market growing so rapidly with both millions of consumers and hundreds of manufacturers they felt a China based show was justified.
The event was originally planned for Canton, China but will now be in Beijing at the China National Agricultural Exhibition Center. The facility is quite impressive and should make for some great photographs of Chinese motorcycles if anyone has the budget to fly out there.
EICMA China joins the CIMA show in a short list of major Chinese motorcycle shows.
See the EICMA press release after the break.
2009 Fischer MRX 650 On Ebay
A Fischer dealer in Oklahoma is going out of business and has been authorized to sell his Fischer inventory on eBay. Up for bid with no reserve is the 5th MRX 650 off the assembly line.
Fischer motorcycles are built on a race ready chassis with body designed by Glynn Kerr. The MRX650 has Ohlins suspension and many top notch hard parts that you will never see on a bike with a $7999. Add to that cool tech features include fuel level, temperature, clock and performance timers. If you have ever ridden an SV650 you know they are a blast to ride and a common choice for a track day bike. Imagine an SV with sharper handling, lighter wheels, top shelf suspension and killer looks. Even at retail the MRX is a great value.
The current bid is $2600. Have a look and let us know if you pick it up. We expect a full review.
KTM FREERIDE Electric Motorcycles Unveiled
These eBikes were supposed to unveiled March 23 at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show. After a leak we now have detailed pics and some information on the Freeride Supermoto and Freeride MX bike.
Have a look at the pictures below and read the articles at Plug Bike and HFL for more information.
