Husaberg Descendant
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Jocke_D and HusaDave,
Thank you for the Highland information and pictures. Very much appreciated indeed!
I made the mistake of telling Mats Malmberg (Highland CEO) that I thought the Outback was ugly. We have not talked much since.
Just the same I am building the "twin" dirttracker and hope to have a single as well.
Hey, In my opinion the original Highland Outback is an ugly motorcycle.
I was only being honest. :?
You Swedes are a sensitive lot.
LOL
Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Dale
Thank you for the Highland information and pictures. Very much appreciated indeed!
I made the mistake of telling Mats Malmberg (Highland CEO) that I thought the Outback was ugly. We have not talked much since.
Just the same I am building the "twin" dirttracker and hope to have a single as well.
Hey, In my opinion the original Highland Outback is an ugly motorcycle.
I was only being honest. :?
You Swedes are a sensitive lot.
LOLThanks again.
Sincerely,
Dale
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2001
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- 17,028
- Location
- Ely, England
there was a bike parked against the wall at yesterday's dirt bike show near coventry. it was at the TBM magazine stand.
it truly deserved better. i picked up this card that sat on the seat.
www.highland-motorcycles.co.uk
test rides are now available. the importer appears to be a company called 'the rock 'n road adventure company' on www.rock-n-road.co.uk and they're from bolton. the link doesn't appear to work for that one though.
sorry dale but next time you call the factory you tell them what i saw. someone needs their balls tweaking for that one...
regards
Taffy
it truly deserved better. i picked up this card that sat on the seat.
www.highland-motorcycles.co.uk
test rides are now available. the importer appears to be a company called 'the rock 'n road adventure company' on www.rock-n-road.co.uk and they're from bolton. the link doesn't appear to work for that one though.
sorry dale but next time you call the factory you tell them what i saw. someone needs their balls tweaking for that one...
regards
Taffy
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2001
- Messages
- 3,249
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- El Sobrante, Ca. 94803
Jocke_D,
Much appreciated.
Thank you!
Dale
Much appreciated.
Thank you!
Dale
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2004
- Messages
- 158
Greetings members of UHE
I have been reading thread with interest and have really enjoyed the photos, I have a few observations / questions.
1) On one of HusaDaves fine photos of the clutch side of the motor there is written on the barrel L = 64.7 (Theta) = 104. Now I know this is a presumption on my part but you would think that those figures mean stroke and bore? But 104mm bore x 64.7mm stroke = 549.6cc and I thought this was supposed to be 450 so have Highland made a 550 too?
2) In the same photo is that a screw on oil filter above the clutch? This is I think a very good idea if it is, in our sidecar 750cc we run oil cooler radiators and just recently have started running car style screw on oil filters external to the engine. I will be putting all this stuff on my website soon, with a small oil cooler rad and external filter kit for solos and a bigger one for sidecars.
3) Why the return to manual clutch, not so good I think, I never liked them I use to have big-bored KX500's in sidecar and we had to run stiffer clutch springs pulling that beast in required gorilla like grip and I am no gorilla.
4) Do you think that having no kick start is a good idea? Is this the way that all bikes will go? It's good for sidecar, as you can imagine it is hard to kick a Husaberg in a left-hand sidecar where you only have half the normal stroke on the lever, it can be done we have it down to a fine art now and have removed the starter from our left-hand bike, we never had one on the right-hander.
Anyway I really find it most enlightening to get feed back from the UHE, so what do you think?
Ben
JBSracing
I have been reading thread with interest and have really enjoyed the photos, I have a few observations / questions.
1) On one of HusaDaves fine photos of the clutch side of the motor there is written on the barrel L = 64.7 (Theta) = 104. Now I know this is a presumption on my part but you would think that those figures mean stroke and bore? But 104mm bore x 64.7mm stroke = 549.6cc and I thought this was supposed to be 450 so have Highland made a 550 too?
2) In the same photo is that a screw on oil filter above the clutch? This is I think a very good idea if it is, in our sidecar 750cc we run oil cooler radiators and just recently have started running car style screw on oil filters external to the engine. I will be putting all this stuff on my website soon, with a small oil cooler rad and external filter kit for solos and a bigger one for sidecars.
3) Why the return to manual clutch, not so good I think, I never liked them I use to have big-bored KX500's in sidecar and we had to run stiffer clutch springs pulling that beast in required gorilla like grip and I am no gorilla.
4) Do you think that having no kick start is a good idea? Is this the way that all bikes will go? It's good for sidecar, as you can imagine it is hard to kick a Husaberg in a left-hand sidecar where you only have half the normal stroke on the lever, it can be done we have it down to a fine art now and have removed the starter from our left-hand bike, we never had one on the right-hander.
Anyway I really find it most enlightening to get feed back from the UHE, so what do you think?
Ben
JBSracing
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2001
- Messages
- 3,249
- Location
- El Sobrante, Ca. 94803
Hi Ben,
1) On one of HusaDaves fine photos of the clutch side of the motor there is written on the barrel L = 64.7 (Theta) = 104. Now I know this is a presumption on my part but you would think that those figures mean stroke and bore? But 104mm bore x 64.7mm stroke = 549.6cc and I thought this was supposed to be 450 so have Highland made a 550 too?
The single is basically one half the V-Twin which has been available in a variety of displacements. Said cylinder is likely a remaining casting from said twin.
2) In the same photo is that a screw on oil filter above the clutch? This is I think a very good idea if it is, in our sidecar 750cc we run oil cooler radiators and just recently have started running car style screw on oil filters external to the engine. I will be putting all this stuff on my website soon, with a small oil cooler rad and external filter kit for solos and a bigger one for sidecars.
Same filter as the V-Twin.
3) Why the return to manual clutch, not so good I think, I never liked them I use to have big-bored KX500's in sidecar and we had to run stiffer clutch springs pulling that beast in required gorilla like grip and I am no gorilla.
I believe such has to do with the dated V-Twin having a manual clutch and single development thus far being focussed on engine and chassis design.
4) Do you think that having no kick start is a good idea? Is this the way that all bikes will go? It's good for sidecar, as you can imagine it is hard to kick a Husaberg in a left-hand sidecar where you only have half the normal stroke on the lever, it can be done we have it down to a fine art now and have removed the starter from our left-hand bike, we never had one on the right-hander.
The V-twin is "E" only and starts readily cold or warm.
Hope this has helped my respected colleague.
Sincerely,
Dale
1) On one of HusaDaves fine photos of the clutch side of the motor there is written on the barrel L = 64.7 (Theta) = 104. Now I know this is a presumption on my part but you would think that those figures mean stroke and bore? But 104mm bore x 64.7mm stroke = 549.6cc and I thought this was supposed to be 450 so have Highland made a 550 too?
The single is basically one half the V-Twin which has been available in a variety of displacements. Said cylinder is likely a remaining casting from said twin.
2) In the same photo is that a screw on oil filter above the clutch? This is I think a very good idea if it is, in our sidecar 750cc we run oil cooler radiators and just recently have started running car style screw on oil filters external to the engine. I will be putting all this stuff on my website soon, with a small oil cooler rad and external filter kit for solos and a bigger one for sidecars.
Same filter as the V-Twin.
3) Why the return to manual clutch, not so good I think, I never liked them I use to have big-bored KX500's in sidecar and we had to run stiffer clutch springs pulling that beast in required gorilla like grip and I am no gorilla.
I believe such has to do with the dated V-Twin having a manual clutch and single development thus far being focussed on engine and chassis design.
4) Do you think that having no kick start is a good idea? Is this the way that all bikes will go? It's good for sidecar, as you can imagine it is hard to kick a Husaberg in a left-hand sidecar where you only have half the normal stroke on the lever, it can be done we have it down to a fine art now and have removed the starter from our left-hand bike, we never had one on the right-hander.
The V-twin is "E" only and starts readily cold or warm.
Hope this has helped my respected colleague.
Sincerely,
Dale
More news now available about the Highland bikes...
They say a single cylinder will come with 250, 350, 450 and 550cc's
The twin will have a displacement of 750, 95 and a 1200cc's
Bikes will be manufactured in China (!) but R&D will still be here in Sweden. We can hope that this means lower costs but great products.
At this moment they are presenting three new models.
The Highland 450, MX
Will be raced in european MX and SM series in 2006. Weight and power about the same as the japanese but with a better center of gravity.
The Highland 750, V2 Dirt-Track
The dirt track'er wil have about 85hp dragging about 140kg. Street legal!!! This will be sooooo cool.
The Highland 950, V2 Desert Storm
Based on the current outback model with a narrower cockpit. Did someone say The Baja och Dakar rallys ???
Supersized picture
More information and press releases can be found at the website.
They say a single cylinder will come with 250, 350, 450 and 550cc's
The twin will have a displacement of 750, 95 and a 1200cc's
Bikes will be manufactured in China (!) but R&D will still be here in Sweden. We can hope that this means lower costs but great products.
At this moment they are presenting three new models.
The Highland 450, MX
Will be raced in european MX and SM series in 2006. Weight and power about the same as the japanese but with a better center of gravity.
The Highland 750, V2 Dirt-Track
The dirt track'er wil have about 85hp dragging about 140kg. Street legal!!! This will be sooooo cool.
The Highland 950, V2 Desert Storm
Based on the current outback model with a narrower cockpit. Did someone say The Baja och Dakar rallys ???
Supersized picture
More information and press releases can be found at the website.
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2001
- Messages
- 3,249
- Location
- El Sobrante, Ca. 94803
Hi Jocke_D,
Thank you for the update.
Mats and I are once again on speaking terms.
The Sweden / China connection is in full effect.
The "Dirttracker" should be a 950 or 1200 as such is the current AMA trend. Mats is a wee bit behind the times regarding GNC Dirttrack.
In addition, a 950 and / or 1200 would prove a bit more spirited for road work.
Are you listening Mats?
Best Regards,
Dale
PS
My Highland Dirttracker is that of a 950. Hoping to have a go in 2007. maybe sooner should Highland obtain DOT.
Thank you for the update.
Mats and I are once again on speaking terms.
The Sweden / China connection is in full effect.
The "Dirttracker" should be a 950 or 1200 as such is the current AMA trend. Mats is a wee bit behind the times regarding GNC Dirttrack.
In addition, a 950 and / or 1200 would prove a bit more spirited for road work.
Are you listening Mats?
Best Regards,
Dale
PS
My Highland Dirttracker is that of a 950. Hoping to have a go in 2007. maybe sooner should Highland obtain DOT.
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 34
China!
I realize the cost of manufacturing will be pennies to the Euro but I just don't see how the quality will be there. Someone had better be chained to each CNC machine in the facory at all times checking tolerances, is the hardware going to be made of string cheese like what comes on a bike from Japan?
I never considered ATK an American made bike due to the motor being a Rotax. The frame and parts may have been made in the US but the real heart of a bike is the power plant. I can't see this other than a Chinese bike. Sure all of the R&D and parts may be european and the bike may even be assembled in Sweden but it's the true hands on experience and passion of all involved in making a bike that gets me. I know parts are subbed out all the time for everything but the people at least know where that part is going and what it's used for. Just last week on NPR they interviewed two different employees making the same part for a car, the American auto maker knew what that part was, what it was going on and clearly had passion for what he did. The Chinese employee had no idea what that part was going to be used for and didn't seem to care much, she said all she does it stand at the machine and pushes a few buttons.
When I first saw this single motor I had this good feeling where it would be another success story of small guy making it big with heart just like Husaberg. I wish Highland luck and know they have the passion and are doing what is financially smart, but I can't see this other than a Chinese bike with nice parts.
I realize the cost of manufacturing will be pennies to the Euro but I just don't see how the quality will be there. Someone had better be chained to each CNC machine in the facory at all times checking tolerances, is the hardware going to be made of string cheese like what comes on a bike from Japan?
I never considered ATK an American made bike due to the motor being a Rotax. The frame and parts may have been made in the US but the real heart of a bike is the power plant. I can't see this other than a Chinese bike. Sure all of the R&D and parts may be european and the bike may even be assembled in Sweden but it's the true hands on experience and passion of all involved in making a bike that gets me. I know parts are subbed out all the time for everything but the people at least know where that part is going and what it's used for. Just last week on NPR they interviewed two different employees making the same part for a car, the American auto maker knew what that part was, what it was going on and clearly had passion for what he did. The Chinese employee had no idea what that part was going to be used for and didn't seem to care much, she said all she does it stand at the machine and pushes a few buttons.
When I first saw this single motor I had this good feeling where it would be another success story of small guy making it big with heart just like Husaberg. I wish Highland luck and know they have the passion and are doing what is financially smart, but I can't see this other than a Chinese bike with nice parts.
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2001
- Messages
- 3,249
- Location
- El Sobrante, Ca. 94803
Hi Albacore,
The machine knows not the location and / or ethnicity of the operator.
New high quality manufacturing and assembly equipment reduces human error and improves the end product.
As much a I hate to admit it:
"Husaberg is a better motorcycle now that KTM manufactures it" :?
Best Regards,
Dale
The machine knows not the location and / or ethnicity of the operator.
New high quality manufacturing and assembly equipment reduces human error and improves the end product.
As much a I hate to admit it:
"Husaberg is a better motorcycle now that KTM manufactures it" :?
Best Regards,
Dale
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 34
LINEAWEAVER said:
The machine may not know, but the end user does. Until the majority of products coming out of China are truly high quality and I think most can agree that right now the quality isn't there. I may be an idealist at heart and this may taint my views, but there's just something missing when someone has no idea what they are producing.
Actually I have good feelings about this motor and think it will be one of the baddest four strokes available (plus it's pretty), the heritage is proof alone. I'd like to see it succeed and hope everyone involved can make make it a winner.
I agree that Husaberg is a much better product now that KTM owns them but the brand name lost some of it's special luster after that.
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2001
- Messages
- 3,249
- Location
- El Sobrante, Ca. 94803
Hi Albacore,
very well stated. You and I are definitely on the same page.
I was deeply saddened when Mats told me he had negotiated a deal to manufacture Highland in China. As with Husaberg I understand such was to be the case or fold, however, it still remains a jagged pill to swallow.
Kind Regards,
Dale
very well stated. You and I are definitely on the same page.
I was deeply saddened when Mats told me he had negotiated a deal to manufacture Highland in China. As with Husaberg I understand such was to be the case or fold, however, it still remains a jagged pill to swallow.
Kind Regards,
Dale
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2001
- Messages
- 3,249
- Location
- El Sobrante, Ca. 94803
albacore said:
Be certain to hunt down Johnny Murphree and talk Husaberg with him.
One of the guys racing Supermoto here in Sweden has been an employee at Highland for a couple of months now. He released this picture just a couple of minutes ago at a big swedish forum. Looks good I think. Lets just hope it will run as goos as it looks.
It just dawned on me that the highland is a break from the previous operating strategy of the Swedish engineers. Both the Husqvarna and Husaberg motorcycles started live as 503 +/- cc enduro bikes. Highland makes no reference to that model existing!
Didn't the "around500cc" engines have just those displacements because of the current regulations at the time?? Just as the 450cc highland is now....[/quote:3f4eo7cv]Jocke_D said:
True. Although the E3 is still 501+ 4T. I think that back then the bast market for a 4T was the 501+ classification. Nowdays the 350 4T has morphed into the 450 4T classification (IMO, a move by FIM and AMA to make the 250 2T non-competative). Anyway, most people seem to want a 450 mx bike.
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2001
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- El Sobrante, Ca. 94803
"Most people seem to want a 450 mx bike"
Original intention to replace the 250 two stroke.
Same peak power and similar delivery characteristics.
Legal in AX, SX, MX, 250 class.
SM is now targeting 450 as is DT.
A 450 four stroke is the modern equivalent of the 250 two stroke.
Kind Regards,
Dale
Original intention to replace the 250 two stroke.
Same peak power and similar delivery characteristics.
Legal in AX, SX, MX, 250 class.
SM is now targeting 450 as is DT.
A 450 four stroke is the modern equivalent of the 250 two stroke.
Kind Regards,
Dale
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