2026 Harley

[Glenn/RZ500]

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Agree, they've managed to keep the design language intact, which is a big positive!

Detailed specs aren't out yet, they're saying Feb '26 for a May release. EICMA merely has a "preview" on display, but here is a good video that summarizes what we know so far:

Some things I noticed between my version and the new one:

- headlights have gone from the negative space 'X' (DesertX... get it?) on each light to parenthesis-style LEDs: ( ) ( )
- TFT display is larger and horizontal vs the old smartphone vertical orientation. This is one I really like - I am in love with the display on the Pani V4
- gas cap seems to be centred instead of off-set to the right
- gas tank seems to be made of plastic instead of metal, which hopefully makes the bike less top-heavy
- linkage-style rear shock instead of the fixed progressive damping system-style. May mean longer suspension travel, however may need some longer skid-plate protection to protect against hard hits on rocks or logs

I am very curious about that new V2 engine, will definitely test-ride a model with one next season. Probably in Hyper format, as that one has the most aggressive power tune of all the models (120 hp vs the Multistrada's 110 hp).

Are you on a RZ500 currently?

Nope... the 500 is gone. I had it from new in`85 and sold it to a guy who was rabid for one in`18. It was very difficult for me to ride with my back, hips, knees and hand issues. I`m currently on a Z900 Kawi but am even finding it a little cramped, great bike though, serious grunt, light, powerful and agile The big dirt bike riding position is the most humane for me, I rode off-road and raced MX for a long while. The DesertX looks about the best compromise for easy off- roading, to me any dirt bike over 250ish pounds seems crazy, it looks manageable though for what I like now.

 

[Lightcycle]

Nope... the 500 is gone. I had it from new in`85 and sold it to a guy who was rabid for one in`18. It was very difficult for me to ride with my back, hips, knees and hand issues. I`m currently on a Z900 Kawi but am even finding it a little cramped, great bike though, serious grunt, light, powerful and agile The big dirt bike riding position is the most humane for me, I rode off-road and raced MX for a long while. The DesertX looks about the best compromise for easy off- roading, to me any dirt bike over 250ish pounds seems crazy, it looks manageable though for what I like now.

You're going to find the DesertX to be much more roomier than any of those bikes!

 

[ReSTored]

Demographics are against HD. The core customer is an older White guy, often blue collar, and they are dying out and / or simply will not be able to afford to spend the bucks to buy an overpriced high cost bike. The jobs in the economy that supported that type of discretionary spending are slowly drying up and aren't coming back, in spite of what Trump says.

I predict a slow, but steady, reduction in sales volume, more dealers going broke and a continuing and futile attempt to appeal to "new" customers.

The big bucks and revenue stream for HD are the heavyweight twins with lots of add on options and also accessories from the dealer base. Smaller bikes, adventure bikes, anything that deviates from the large V twin configuration has proven to be a dead end for Harley in the past, and I don't see this changing in the future.

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