OtherMakes.net

I got to hand it to Kevin Duke at Motorcycle.com, he always seems to report on the hidden gems at the big shows. Check out this 318 lb. 950cc V-twin US Highland Viking MO shot at the Dealer Expo last week. There was a small picture of the bike on the US Highland site but this is the first good look at the lightweight powerhouse. Compare to the SV650 at 375 lbs dry this bike will roast the rear and loft the front on command. The powerful and light 950 engine is suspended in a Spondon Engineering frame and swing arm for a custom streetfighter look. Like all Highlands the bike comes with high end specs such as Ohlins shocks and Brembo brakes.

Dealers will not carry any inventory. The buying process will be automated via kiosk in the dealer’s showroom. After the customer evaluates a demo model details such as engine displacement and suspension will be tailored to the users riding style. Once the customer order is complete the bike will be shipped in 7 days as the bike is assembled in Tulsa, Oklahoma. No word on pricing or release date. Stay tuned to OtherMakes.net for updates.

More pics after the break…

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Kevin Duke took a trip out to the 2009 CIMA Motor Show in Chongqing, China and just published the first of a Motorcycle.com 3 part series on the 27 motorcycle manufacturers in attendance. Footage of the Loncin, Lifan, Shineray, Qingqi, Haojue, Xgjao, CFMoto and others were highlighted in the first video clip.

Most interesting was a picture of a prototype Zongshen Cyclone that takes styling queues from the Suzuki Gladius 650 and Kawasaki ER6N. It features USD forks, wave rotors and a liquid cooled single cylinder engine I am guessing displaces 500cc. This would be high displacement for a Chinese motorcycle. However there has been a push for larger displacements in the Chinese market. It has some nice details including under seat exhaust and integrated turn signals. This is a big departure from the usual parts bin fair that usually adorns Chinese bikes.

I am looking forward to more information on this bike and the rest of the MO series on the CIMA show.

Source: Motorcycle.com