Harley-Davidson Is Finally Making the Entry-Level Motorcycle I’ve Been Practically Begging Them to Try

Details are still emerging, but at least one more affordable, smaller-displacement bike is joining the brand’s lineup. Hell yeah.

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published 21 hours ago

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It’s no secret that America’s most legendary motorcycle manufacturer has been hitting the skids lately.

Over the past couple months, flagging sales, LiveWire struggles and boardroom drama have seemingly made more headlines than, you know, actual bikes.

harley davidson x 440 duo — Could Harley’s upcoming sub-$6,000 bike look something like the X 440? It wouldn’t shock me.

However, as the demand for more approachable motorcycles seems to be skyrocketing, the latest news from the brand has me feeling stoked about its future.

On a conference call with financial analysts yesterday, CEO Jochen Zeitz said a new bike with an MSRP under $6,000 will be unveiled later this year and available for purchase in 2026.

Considering the smallest and most affordable motorcycle the brand currently offers is the 975cc, $9,999 Nightster, that’s cause for celebration, as far as I’m concerned.

Concrete details

Beyond the price tag, Zeitz referred to the new model as the Sprint and said it will be presented to dealers this fall.

Harley is also set to launch a more approachable cruiser next year. Rumor has it the bike will be called the Eagle and feature classic styling at an affordable price point.

harley davidson x 440 couple — The X 440’s style and approachability appears to be what Harley will aim for with the Sprint.

In other exciting news, Zeitz confirmed the small, fun, Honda Grom-like LiveWire prototypes recently showcased at Harley Homecoming will become production models.

Now, the Sprint nomenclature is particularly interesting considering the fact that a small-displacement bike with that name graced Harley’s lineup more than six decades ago.

Back in 1960, the company purchased half of Italian aircraft brand Aermacchi’s motorcycle division and began importing an Aermacchi 250 as the Sprint 250 a year later. The bike became the Sprint 350 when its displacement grew from 246cc to 344cc in 1969, before it was discontinued five years later.

harley davidson x 440 engine — As with the X 440, the engine probably won’t be a V-Twin, and (take a deep breath, diehards) that’s OK.

“Inspired by our heritage and the spirit of the iconic Harley Davidson Sprint motorcycle, this new bike embodies boldness, irreverence and fun, capturing the rebellious energy that defines the Harley-Davidson experience,” Zeitz said.

“We believe this motorcycle will not only be highly accessible, but also profitable, marking a significant step forward in driving Harley-Davidson’s future profitable growth and opening up a new … segment for the company in future years for its key markets.”

Hopeful speculation

I imagine the upcoming bike will look something like a cross between the old Sprint 350 and the X 440 pictured on this page.

Along with the X 350 and X 500, the latter is a bike Harley has developed with partners in China and India and sold in those markets but not in the USA.

harley davidson x 440 tank — I *would* be shocked if the new Sprint didn’t feature Harley’s traditional turtle tank.

Harley actually uses these smaller motorcycles in the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy Course; once you complete it, they even offer financing assistance … toward a Nightster with an engine twice as big and not nearly as beginner friendly.

That irony, combined with the recent sales success of sub-$6,000 smaller-displacement bikes like Triumph’s Speed 400 and Royal Enfield’s Himalayan 450, has me thinking the Sprint will land somewhere in the 400 to 500cc range.

While the brand tried that unsuccessfully a decade ago with the introduction of the (since discontinued) Street 500, times have changed.

harley davidson x 440 woman rider — The new bike could be a godsend for newer/smaller/female riders — not to mention the brand itself.

Of small-displacement bikes, Zeitz himself said: “It’s the only area that really shows growth right now, which is really the result of the affordability issues.”

So, here’s hoping these new bikes look awesome, go fast and sell well — and that Harley does more sprinting than skidding in 2026.

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.