en.Wedoany.com Reported - Harley-Davidson's new CEO, Artie Starrs, has announced a "Back to Basics" plan that will revive the Harley-Davidson Sprint motorcycle, which is expected to become a highly cost-effective Harley-Davidson option in the U.S. market. The new Sprint was originally planned for a 2026 launch, but is now more likely to enter mass production and be released in 2027. Illustrations of the new Sprint in Harley-Davidson's presentation show that the bike may be based on the India-made Harley-Davidson X440 motorcycle, which was designed and manufactured by Hero MotoCorp and launched in India in 2023, using an oil-cooled single-cylinder engine. The new Sprint's engine shares the same shape and uses a similar tubular frame, though the styling is distinctly different, featuring a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, low seat, and high handlebars, fully embodying the classic Harley roadster style.

The history of the original Harley-Davidson Sprint motorcycle dates back to 1960, when Harley-Davidson acquired a 50% stake in the motorcycle division of the Italian brand Aermacchi. In 1961, it imported the 250cc model, rebranded it, and sold it. The engine displacement was increased to 350cc in 1969, and production ceased in 1974. The new business plan also includes the return of the Evolution Sportster motorcycle, a model removed from the lineup in 2022, which will now be revived again as an affordable Harley-Davidson motorcycle equipped with a V-twin engine.

The "Back to Basics" plan is Harley-Davidson's third revival strategy in the past decade. In 2018, former CEO Matt Levatich announced the "More Roads to Harley-Davidson" strategy, launching models such as adventure bikes, street bikes, and electric motorcycles. In 2020, successor Jochen Zeitz introduced the Rewire and Hardwire strategies, focusing on the premium luggage and luxury cruiser motorcycle segments. Now, the "Back to Basics" strategy aims to attract new, less affluent riders to the Harley brand. Harley-Davidson plans to add up to 20 new motorcycles over the next three years, all based on existing platforms, to attract more customers.

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