Harley-Davidson’s newest motorcycle, the 2027 Sprint 440, is a lightweight cruiser built around a 440cc single, designed and engineered by Harley-Davidson in partnership with India’s Hero MotoCorp. US-market bikes get final assembly at Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations in York, Pennsylvania, and reach dealers in spring 2027. Harley-Davidson hasn’t announced US pricing.
Harley-Davidson President & Chief Executive Officer Artie Starrs pitches the Sprint 440 to riders at every stage, saying, “It’s an ideal motorcycle for a variety of riders: the new rider who wants to build skills and confidence, but also a great option for returning riders who want to get back on the road or as an uncomplicated and fun ride for experienced riders.”
Cruiser Stance, H-D Details
The proportions are deliberate. “The fork rake, suspension height, wheel and tire sizes combine to present a cruiser stance that is pure Harley-Davidson,” said Harley-Davidson Head of Design Bjorn Shuster. “The suspended headlamp, fuel tank shape, bobbed rear fender, and fastback saddle are familiar Harley-Davidson design elements.” Machined highlights on the engine and wheels, a tapered muffler, and a Harley-Davidson logo in the center of the headlight finish the job.
Dark Billiard Gray is the base color, with Vivid Black and Teal Thunder also offered. Each wears an orange slash graphic on the tank with a warped checkered center and Harley-Davidson script. The side covers carry a new character, the Harley Hare, which H-D says stands for the Sprint 440’s quickness, agility, and fun.
A Name With Italian Roots
The Sprint name goes back more than 60 years, and the original also came from overseas. At the start of the 1960s, Harley-Davidson bought a 50% stake in Italy’s Aermacchi, and the first result was the 1961 Sprint, a 250cc pushrod single with a horizontal cylinder. The Sprint grew to 350cc for 1969, and Harley-Davidson retired it in 1974. Sixty-plus years later, the Sprint is a single again; this time, the partner is in India and US-market bikes get finished in Pennsylvania.
1961 Harley-Davidson Sprint/
Single-Cylinder Power
The air-/oil-cooled single displaces 440cc (26.9 cubic inches) and has a single overhead cam with two valves. Its 79.6mm bore and 88.4mm stroke make it a long-stroke design built for pull at low rpm. Peak torque is 28 lb-ft at 4000 rpm, and peak output is 27 horsepower at 6000 rpm. A gear-driven counterbalancer quells the single’s vibration.
The 6-speed transmission has overdrive 5th and 6th gears to drop the revs on the highway and stretch fuel economy. The clutch has assist-and-slipper functions, so the lever pull is light. Harley-Davidson rates fuel economy at up to 80 mpg, which works out to about 190 miles from the 2.4-gallon tank on paper.
Sized for New Riders
Harley-Davidson lists a laden seat height of 26.4 inches, measured with a rider aboard, so the seat rests higher when the bike is parked. A narrow profile and tapered seat shorten the reach to the ground. For riders the stock seat doesn’t suit, the Reach seat moves the rider about an inch forward, and the Tallboy seat puts the rider about 2 inches higher and 2.5 inches farther back. The Sprint 440 weighs 412 pounds ready to ride.
Suspension, Brakes, and Wheels
An inverted 43mm dual-cartridge fork provides 5.1 inches of travel. Twin piggyback-reservoir shocks with 7-step spring-preload adjustment deliver 3.0 inches of wheel travel. A single 320mm front disc with a 2-piston caliper and a 240mm rear disc with a single-piston caliper handle the stopping; ABS is standard. The new 10-spoke cast-aluminum wheels are shod with 100/90-19 and 150/60-17 MRF Zapper tires.
Tech and Accessories
A color TFT display sits in a round 3.5-inch housing above the handlebar, with a digital speedometer and tachometer along with the odometer and trip meter. Lighting is all LED, and a USB-C port above the headlight keeps a phone charged.
The first accessories are ready. Throw-over textile saddlebags hold 427 cubic inches (7 liters) combined, with a 6-pound limit per bag. A sissy bar and backrest pad make room for a passenger or luggage. A quick-detach clear windshield, tubular steel engine guard, flatter Moto handlebar, and Brawler solo seat are also on the list, and the Willie G Skull Accessory Collection adds footpegs, bar-end mirrors, and grips. Harley-Davidson says more accessories are coming.
We’ll follow up with a First Look once Harley-Davidson posts US pricing and full specifications. Shuster promises a “very accessible price point,” and we look forward to seeing the number.
Benda motorcycles are beginning to make a ripple on US shores with four intriguing and competitive models, courtesy of its partnership with Keeway Group. We were impressed with the Napoleonbob 500 and have now gotten our gloves on the persuasive, entry-level 2026 Benda Chinchilla 300, with its modest MSRP of $4999. It would be difficult to design a more welcoming entry-level cruiser than this easy-handling, visually appealing boulevard bobber. Editor Don Williams and Associate Editor Kelly Callan discuss the Benda Chinchilla 300 and how it actually rode for them.
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Our guest this episode is Jesse Merriman, Chief Technician for Jeremy McWilliams at the Arch Motorcycle racing project. Arch Racing was founded by Gard Hollinger and Keanu Reevs to compete in the Moto America Super Hooligan race series. Teejay Adams chats with Jesse about the Arch motorcycle and the challenges of extracting the absolute most from an air-cooled V-Twin racing engine and custom chassis.
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Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
Don’t forget to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
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