American motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson (H-D) announced plans to launch a new entry level motorcycle in 2026, called the Sprint. During its recent investor meeting, H-D CEO Jochen Zeitz said the new Sprint will be priced under USD6,000 (RM25,383).
Details for the new motorcycle are scant, but H-D has previously tried to enter the sub-500 cc market. Offerings then included the Street 500 and Street 750, as well as the Harley-Davidson X440 for the India market and the China made 350 with QianJiang, to mixed market reception.
Positioned towards the young rider market, Zeitz said the Sprint will moving away from the brand’s ‘mature’ design statement. There are also plans to introduce another unnamed cruiser model alongside the Sprint.
Work on the Sprint began back in 2021, and while a launch date has not bee announced, it is possible the new bike will be shown at a major motorcycle show this year, likely at EICMA in Italy. The Sprint is also expected in US H-D dealerships in late 2026.
Saying its aim is to compete in a segment where the brand has never been before (the Aermacchi–Harley Davidson range of single-cylinders from 1961 to 1978 excepted), Zeitz said the brand is expecting good margins from sales of the Sprint. Currently, the cheapest entry level model in the H-D line-up in Malaysia is the Harley-Davidson Nightster, priced at RM93,900.
will this be a joint venture with QJ ?