US Highland motorcycles

[snoopjonnyjon]

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

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

[bigbellybob]

the fenders on the quad look like old 4 traxs even got the indent for the kicker.

[ID KX500]

Are the motors being manufactured in USA? I see the counter sprocket on the right, like a European build maybe?

[snoopjonnyjon]

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.

[hughes]

The Street Tracker is bad ass and I love you the retro look.

[BDI]

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.

[snoopjonnyjon]

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.

[ID KX500]

Unless the price is right,,,and I mean less than Japanese bikes,,,they will join the dustheap with ATK and Cannondale.

[snoopjonnyjon]

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.

[BDI]

I'm over it. At those prices they might as well be concept bikes.

[ID KX500]

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.

[snoopjonnyjon]

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.

[ID KX500]

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.

[Larry Wiechman]

Sad News
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2010/07/12/us-highland-motorcycles-partners-die-in-plane-crash/
 
Larry

[BDI]

WOW that sucks. How terrible is that.