NEW YORK — Shares of Harley-Davidson Inc. hit a new 52-week high Monday on analyst predictions that the motorcycle maker's July and August sales increases would come in ahead of the industry average.

Harley shares were up $1.54, or 2.5 percent, to $62.72 on the New York Stock Exchange, after peaking at $62.99 earlier in the day.

Over the past 52 weeks, the company's shares had traded between $44.40 and $62.33.

UBS Investment Research analyst Robin Farley said, according to the bank's industry contacts, Harley retail sales may be up a combined 10 percent for the July to August period, compared with an industry average increase of 5 to 7 percent for those months.

Year-to-date, Harley sales are up about 7 percent to 8 percent, slightly below the industry average of 9 percent, Farley said.

The analyst said Harley faces tougher comparisons to September 2005, which posted a 22 percent increase. But even if September 2006 sales are flat, the company would still post a 7 percent sales increase for the third quarter, Farley said.

"Harley's strong sales and industry outperformance in July-August may be due to the earlier introduction of the new model year this year, which may have pulled sales earlier into the year," Farley wrote in a note to investors.

"And Harley's new engine and 6-speed transmission have been well received. However, the strength is not just in Harley sales, as overall industry sales have also been strong so far this year."

Farley reiterated his "Neutral" rating and $62 price target for the stock.