New U.S. motorcycle manufacturer has Swedish accent

The Viking comes in flavors of 950 and 1050cc

There's a new American made motorcycle -- from the engine to the frame -- and it comes directly to you from Tulsa, Oklahoma via Sweden.

U.S. Highland Motorcycles announced yesterday that they had started operations in their 14-acre, 33,000-square-foot building complex with a successful Memorial Day party.

The company builds premium race-winning motorcross, supermoto, quad and enduro bikes and has expanded its line to a couple of street bikes, the Viking and Street Tracker. Engines sizes vary from 350 singles to 1050 V-twins and all are built in Tulsa.

Highland began in Sweden after Husqvarna was sold to the Italians and then to the Chinese, or whoever owns them now. In a change, the company will build in Tulsa and engineer in Sweden, with its race team remaining in the U.S.

"We have worked diligently for two years for this day.  To bring about such success and create so many jobs in such a short period of time has been extremely rewarding for us all.  We are grateful to all who have supported our efforts, both in the USA and in Sweden and look forward to our wonderful growth opportunities," stated Mats Malmberg, President of US Highland, Inc.

The company has some strange plans.  For instance, rather than burden dealers with unnecessary stock, the company is developing a build-your-own set-up in which you view the floor displays at the dealer, put in your height, weight, type of driving and 'druthers and order the bike. It will then be built and sent to you in seven days, although you are allowed to use the product well beyond the seven days without refrigeration.

The Highland Street Tracker

According to Ultimate Motorcycling, the company recently completed a merger, consolidation and name change, all very confusing but important only in that it puts the company on the public trading block and gives it access to Europe, the U.S., China and other locations.

Their engines have performed well in off-road racing and motocross races and their fuel delivery systems are proprietary and used by other manufacturers and, again, found to be reliable.

"Highland is in a very strong position with complete engine and fuel injection technology. Our engine and fuel system designs are unique and patent application processes to protect our growing suite of Highland IP is proceeding well. This gives our potential partners confidence",  Malmberg said.

Check out The Kneeslider for more information.