Harley-Davidson release first details of 2026 model range
Harley-Davidson has presented the first models in their 2026 range. In November, a ‘Chapter 1’ reveal covered the Softail Cruiser family, Sportster, Pan America adventure bike, and the Street Glide and Road Glide models in the Grand American Touring family.
This will be followed by ‘Chapter 2’ in January, 2026, where the trikes, CVO range and a Street Glide Limited from the Grand American Touring family will be unveiled.
New features and full specs for bikes in the Chapter 1 release had not been fully confirmed at time of writing, but based on the images and information seen so far, they’re mostly carryover from the 2025 model year, with minor changes and new colour options.
Cruiser
Of the 2025 Softails - Heritage Classic, Fat Boy, Street Bob, Breakout, Low Rider S and Low Rider ST - all six are returning to the Australian and New Zealand market for 2026.
As all Softails previously running the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine were updated to the 117 version for 2025, there are no major mechanical changes for 2026.
The 117 v-twin continues to be offered in ‘Classic,’ ‘Custom’ or ‘High-Output’ form, depending on the Softail model. These designations determine power output, which varies from 68kW (Classic) to 77kW (Custom) and 85kW (High-Output). For 2026, the 85kW tune remains limited to the Low Rider S and Low Rider ST.
Classic spec retains a mellow power delivery, which is ramped up for Custom, while High-Output is essentially a factory-fitted Screamin’ Eagle Stage 2 kit with ‘Heavy Breather’ intake, according to H-D Chief Engineer, Michael Carlin.
On the MY26 Low Rider ST, the distinctive half fairing and panniers remain, as do three selectable riding modes – Road, Rain and Sport – and Rider Safety Enhancements (that include Cornering ABS, Drag-Torque Slip Control and Traction Control) tuned to work with those modes. All lighting is LED and there’s an adjustable brake lever. New colour choices for the 2026 Low Rider ST are Blood Orange, White Onyx Pearl and Aurora Blue Denim. Optional black or chrome engine trim remains.
For the MY26 Low Rider S, it’s a similar story, with the compact headlight fairing continuing to define this model against its sibling, while new colours are the same as offered for the MY26 ST.
The MY26 Breakout retains its distinctive rake, 21-inch front wheel and flat bars, while the Fat Boy continues to be defined by disc wheels, fat tyres and a heavily chromed front end. Both run the 77kW Milwaukee-Eight 117. New colours for the Breakout are Teal Thunder, Blood Orange and Iron Horse Metallic, which is a dark blue/grey. For the Fat Boy, new colours include White Onyx Pearl, Brilliant Red and two-tone Olive Steel Metallic/Vivid Black.
The Street Bob retains its old-school look, with mini-ape bars, fork gaiters, a two-piece seat, and classic round air cleaner for the Milwaukee-Eight 117 in 68kW form. A choice of alloy or wire spoke rims will continue to be offered in 2026. Changes appear to be confined to new colours, which are Brilliant Red, Olive Steel Metallic and Aurora Blue Denim; the latter being a satin finish.
On the MY26 Heritage Classic, the 68kW Milwaukee-Eight 117 carries over, and like the other Softails, it appears that fresh colours are the only changes. Brilliant Red, Purple Abyss and two-tone Teal Thunder/Vivid Black are the new options, with wire spoke and cast alloy wheels available for this model.
It should be noted that all MY26 Softails will be available in Dark Billiard Grey and Vivid Black, in addition to the new colours mentioned.
Sport
While the North American market offers a three-model Sport lineup – Sportster S, Nightster and Nightster Special – Australia and New Zealand will only receive the Sportster S and Nightster Special next year, as they did in 2025.
Powered by the Revolution Max 1250T liquid-cooled v-twin producing 90kW, the Sportster S continues to offer a 2-1-2 exhaust, performance suspension and Brembo brakes. The Nightster Special is powered by a 975cc Rev Max producing 66kW, with a 2-into-1 exhaust, Showa suspension and the same circular TFT instrument screen as the Sportster S.
Cosmetic changes on the Sportster S for 2026 include a vintage-style tank badge and some brightwork additions to the otherwise blackout engine. The Nightster Special retains its AMF-era-inspired tank badge. New colours for the Sportster S are Blood Orange, White Onyx Peal and Aurora Blue Denim, while the Nightster Special introduces Blood Orange, Black Denim and Olive Steel Metallic.
Grand American Touring – Part 1
Tourers locked in for ANZ in 2026 are the Road Glide and Street Glide. The Road King Special and Street Glide Ultra are off the menu for 2026, although a new Street Glide Limited is coming.
The Road Glide and Street Glide both run the Milwaukee-Eight 117 in 80kW form, along with a six-speed transmission, full LED lighting, hard panniers, Skyline OS infotainment system and 312mm colour TFT instrumentation – the same as 2025. The Sharknose (Road Glide) and Batwing (Street Glide) fairings that continue to define these models also carryover unchanged.
New colour choices for the Road Glide are Blood Orange, Purple Abyss and Auroa Blue Denim, plus two-tone Olive Steel Metallic/Vivid Black and Teal Thunder/Vivid Black. A choice of chrome or black engine finishes remain. These new colour options also apply to the MY26 Street Glide, with Vivid Black and Dark Billiard Grey also available for both tourers.
Pan America
Once again, Australia and New Zealand miss out on the Pan America 1250 ST, with the 1250 Special the only variant coming to our shores in 2026. Wet weight has increased by 5kg to 263kg, with additional finning visible on the heads of the Revolution Max 1250 v-twin, so perhaps the extra kgs have gone into the cooling system. Fuel capacity, braking and suspension components are unchanged. Blood Orange is the new colour option, with Vivid Black and Dark Billiard Grey carrying over.
More to Come
Harley-Davidson’s ‘Chapter 2’ release of their 2026 lineup is scheduled for 15 January, 2026, by which time more information on specs and features for the Chapter 1 models should be available.
