Highland Motors AB is the newest player in the dirtbike game. Highland Motors is from Sweden but their company in charge of US sourcing, production, and marketing is fittingly named US Highland. I got the chance to talk to Kurt King of US Highland while he was driving back to the headquarters in Tulsa, OK from the Indy trade show.

How was the Indy trade show?
I’m driving back to Tulsa right now. It was great. We had lines of people. We had more people to talk to than we had people to give information.

Where did Highland come from? Do they have ties to Husaberg or Husqvarna from while those companies in Sweden?
Highland is a 13 year old Swedish company. The have done an extremely large amount of development work for Husaberg, KTM, and Husqvarna. We have been doing supermotard for 3 years.

What makes the Highland a better bike?
It is a couple different things. We provide the riders with the best possible bike. You go into the dealer and they will have only demo models. You will be measured and weighed kind of like getting fitted for a tux. They will interview you with: What bikes have you ridden before? What do you want to accomplish with the bike? Riding style?

Then the bike is ordered specifically for you. It will come with the power curve, suspension valving, even footpeg and handlebar position fit to you. The middle of the VIN will even be your last name.

It should take probably around 7 days to have your bike delivered to you. Then the dealer will go out riding with you, at your usual spot or something similar to that. The trained technician from the dealership will double check to make sure everything is set good for you, and also make changes if needed.

The bikes have the best parts available. The best clutches, suspension, brakes,wheels, hubs everything. We essentially put you on a factory bike. You have the best parts available and it is built suited to you.

Have you had success in Supermotard?
Yes. Our rider Martin Lind has finished 2nd in 2008 and in 2009 he won a Swedish National championship.

Where did the name, Highland, originate?
Jönköping the town we are from, is in the Swedish highlands.

I heard that there may be a Highland racing at the first 2 GNCCs this year. Is that true?
Yes, they are taking the bikes to there from Indy. We will have 3 riders. Martin Lind, and 2 others. Martin is an enduro rider that has competed in the ISDE and other big races.

Are there any goals to meet at these 2 races, or is it strictly for testing?
Number 1 would be to finish and number 2 would be to do well.

Do you know how BMW finished in their first GNCC attempt?
No I’m not sure.

The rider crashed within 10 minutes and broke his collarbone or something. So you should have no problem to have a better debut.
Well I would hope so.

Are there any plans for a smaller displacement bike?
There is a 250 and a 350 in development. We have a 350 trail bike, 450, and 507 for singles right now.

Will you be at the Florida GNCC?
I will be flying in to Florida, but I will be in Daytona for Bike Week. We also have a Viking V-twin cruiser line. There are different options available for those too with displacements and horsepower.

Well there it is! A little bit of new knowledge about what sounds to be a great motorcycle company. US Production starts in June and dealers should be set up as early as July. If you want more go to http://highland.se/ and be sure to look for them if you make the trip down to the GNCCs.