I've been watching

[ILS]

Yeah there is a company that moved to the states not long ago, They make off and on road bikes. I like the looks of'em. But they all seem to have a minimum height limit of 6'5''. Here's the link to the site. www.ushighland.com
Tell me what ya think.

[bajadog]

I like the linkless suspension in the rear, the EFI, six speed gear box.

I'd be a little concerned if with quality and safety if they were
made in China.

The 750 and 950 desert x look nice. I guess they don't have any dual sport bikes though.

[compmoto]

I spoke with these guys @Indy dealer show in Feb., and these bikes and engines, are NOT China made/sourced. If all goes according to plan, I'll be able to give a full report on one of these,first hand, by the end of summer. These are American made,and engineered. The engine design started in Sweden,but has been refined here in the states.

[bajadog]

That is great news!

Finally another American dirt bike manufacturer!

I guess ATK is still around, but barely.

[ILS]

Originally Posted by compmoto

I spoke with these guys @Indy dealer show in Feb., and these bikes and engines, are NOT China made/sourced. If all goes according to plan, I'll be able to give a full report on one of these,first hand, by the end of summer. These are American made,and engineered. The engine design started in Sweden,but has been refined here in the states.

Well hell yeah I can't wait. I hope their price is reasonable.

[bajadog]

Originally Posted by ILS

Well hell yeah I can't wait. I hope their price is reasonable.

My only problem would be not being able to test them out first.

I wonder if the will do some tours around the US to let folks
ride them, and get the word out.

I know the dirtbike article was glowing, but we don't all
ride motocross.

[compmoto]

in your eyes ... mine?, well considering the economy, I'm not sure how many $9K+ dirtbikes I can sell. BUT, if the engines are reliable, I feel they will sell , a limited number, but sell nonetheless. Meatheads, do spend lavish cash, on the lifestyle of "Hardly Ableson" , myself included... there is definately something admirable in buying a decent "American made" product nowadays. BUT, no matter what perspective one has , No one will buy 'em if they're junk. As for ATK, they are still alive, and now have another chapter being written in their book. Mr.White, seems to be a shrewd buisiness man!ATK and S&T Motors, (Hyosung) have signed a multi-year agreement for a line of bikes to be marketed thru HD dealers. Harley has been looking at ways to attract different market segments to the showroom floors. I,for the life in me, cannot understand why they chose to nix the Buell line!When they finally used a Rotax motor in their "flagship" model, (and seemed to have gotten it right!)they back away from the "American made" sport market. The current alternatives are not yet practical, or street-user friendly.As for ATK, and the Cannondale design, it is still in the mix. There, is another engine, which had/has potential. The Highland guys(and others) figured that engine out by racing it successfully in supermoto... they can/do compete easily with Jap/Euro sm bikes. The new Highlands have the R&D from their AMA SM competition effort to support their new platforms. More research is needed,before I plop down the franchise dough, though...quite risky these days,IMO.We'll just see how November elections turn out.If it goes the "right" way, some reassurances may be offered to our buisiness community, worldwide! Much needed confidence, since there is quite the lack of it, in our current admin. ... yeah, my feelings are showing, again! But hey, positive economic conditions need to be in place before the mainstream public is gonna buy $7,500.+ recreational vehicles...sub $10K ?!?!