- HD Sprint to be built from ground up
- Expected to be a cruiser motorcycle
- Likely to be showcased by early 2026
In a major move to broaden its appeal and inject fresh life into its iconic brand, Harley-Davidson has announced plans to launch an all-new entry-level motorcycle next year. Dubbed the Harley-Davidson Sprint, this model aims to target the small-displacement segment, a space currently dominated by brands like Royal Enfield, Triumph, Honda, and Kawasaki.
The announcement was made during Harley’s most recent earnings call, where outgoing CEO Jochen Zeitz revealed that development of the Sprint began back in 2021. Interestingly, despite Harley-Davidson already offering small-capacity motorcycles like the X350 (sold in New Zealand and Australia) and X440, built in collaboration with Qianjiang Motors and Hero Motocorp, the Sprint is said to be a completely new motorcycle, engineered from the ground up.
This clean-sheet approach suggests Harley isn’t simply rebadging existing models or outsourcing major components but rather crafting a unique motorcycle that can carry forward the brand’s heritage in a more accessible, globally relevant package. While full technical details remain under wraps, Zeitz confirmed that the Sprint’s platform will also underpin a future cruiser-style model, reinforcing Harley’s plans to create a family of motorcycles within this segment.
Though speculative, the Sprint is expected to offer a modern alternative to the classic cruiser silhouette, perhaps leaning more towards the adventure-tourer style of Harley’s Pan America, or even echoing the look and feel of Royal Enfield’s Meteor or Triumph’s Speed 400.
The Sprint is expected to be revealed either by the end of 2025 or early 2026, likely aligning with the EICMA motorcycle show. For Harley-Davidson, this represents more than just a new model; it marks a pivotal shift in strategy as the company seeks to attract younger, more price-sensitive riders around the world. After years of criticism for being out of step with modern motorcycling trends, Harley’s return to the entry-level segment could be a turning point, if the Sprint delivers both in value and in true Harley character.
