When the CEO says it, we think it’s true! For our Sunday Run today we’ll bring you the news that the Sportster is coming back into the Harley-Davidson range in 2027!
Harley-Davidson CEO Artie Starrs announced the news in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, as he also talked through a "Back to the Bricks" strategic plan for H-DMC.
The new Sportster has been confirmed as air-cooled, and Starrs also confirmed it will carry an 883cc engine.
“This has been the most requested motorcycle from both our riders and our dealers,” Starrs said, “and we are bringing it back better than ever.” He added that the Sportster was the number one demand from dealers across all markets, right across the globe.
The lead image here today is from H-DMC showing the 2027 Sportster, and in its “teaser” style it looks like the bike carries the same Evolution engine as the last Sportster Iron 883 models, but at V-Twins we believe it will be an updated version. It’s a certainty that emissions requirements and regulations globally enforce a legally compliant engine.
Motorcycle.com points out that the new bike as rendered shares the same circular air filter cover as the Iron 883, the same mid-mounted footpeg position, and similar low handlebar. However, the rear fender extends further than the last of the Sportsters, and the front wheel appears to be smaller than the Iron 883’s 19-incher, with a fatter tire and a shorter front fender.
To us at V-Twins the instrument also appears to be more like the newer multi-instrument on current models (such as Street Bob or Sportster S) than the old Sporty gauge, and we’re pleased to see what looks like a lower seat height.
Online sites say that the Sportster is intended to be a blank canvas model, and under the Back to the Bricks plan Harley intends to extend and expand its parts and accessories business to offer more opportunities for personalisation and customisation.
We’ve dropped-in a few images below today of older Sportsters, starting with the original 1957 game-changer model.
Is the Sportster return good news? You bet it is, bring it on!
Some information at: rideapart.com /cycleworld.com / motorcycle.com
By Phil Heath