Half a day tearing up SMSP followed by a relaxed ride to Hawksebury Lookout in NSW was the perfect way to sample some of the 2026 Harley-Davidson range… Photos: Incite
2026 Harley-Davidson Range First Ride | Half a day attacking the Sydney Motorsport Park GP circuit followed by a relaxed cruise to Hawkesbury Lookout turned out to be a fantastic way to experience Harley-Davidson’s updated 2026 lineup. Here is our track and street H-D test.
Corner carving on the stunning 126hp, 193Nm 2026 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST performance bagger.
Harley-Davidson doesn’t do quiet launches. When the Motor Company rolls out a new model range, it tends to do it properly, and booking Sydney Motorsport Park for two full days to host dealers and media certainly proves the point.
Walking into pit lane and seeing a row of Milwaukee iron lined up under the garages was a pretty awesome sight. From Sportsters through Softails to big Grand American Touring machines and the premium CVO models, the entire Harley-Davidson family was represented. Even though racetracks aren’t exactly the natural habitat for big cruisers and baggers, the circuit environment actually makes it a fantastic place to understand what these bikes are capable of in terms of braking, chassis stability and outright performance.
The CVO Road Glide ST looking at home at SMSP in the new Inferno Grey colour.
For me personally, the event meant a bit more than just another launch. I had missed the previous Harley-Davidson introduction in 2025 after being sidelined with injury, which meant I spent much of that year unable to ride at all. Getting the invitation this time around felt like a small victory in itself, so I treated the lead-up like a mini training camp!
The week before the launch involved early nights, healthy food and absolutely no amber ale or red wine – not easy! I even squeezed in a track day at SMSP the week prior just to get my eye back in after time away from the circuit. By the time the launch rolled around I was genuinely pumped to throw a leg back over a Harley again.
The format of the day was simple but effective. The morning sessions would take place on the full Sydney Motorsport Park GP circuit, rotating through a range of bikes with roughly 20 minutes on each. After lunch the focus would switch to a road ride through Richmond and up towards Hawkesbury Lookout to see how the bikes behaved in their natural environment.
As often happens at launches, the weather threw in a twist early on. Rain arrived during the opening hour, leaving the circuit damp and slowly drying. Not exactly ideal conditions for large cruisers and touring bikes, but it actually made the test more interesting and highlighted how effective modern electronics have become.
Track Testing
Nightster S (from $21,495 R/A) – Specifications here.
My first ride of the morning was aboard the Nightster S, finished in Dark Billiard Grey, and it quickly proved to be a great choice for the damp conditions. Compared with the larger Harleys in the lineup it’s compact, relatively light and extremely easy to manage.
The Revolution Max 975T engine delivers a lively spread of power with sharp throttle response, and the chassis feels balanced and predictable even on a wet track, good Brembo brakes and SHOWA suspension helps.
Within a lap or two with the ABS and TC backing me the bike inspired plenty of confidence and was genuinely great fun to hustle around the circuit in Rain mode (it has Rain, Road, Sport and Custom maps). It’s obviously not designed to be a track weapon, but with a touch more ground clearance the Nightster S platform could easily make a fantastic track-day toy.
Sportster S (from $23,995 R/A) – Specifications here.
Jumping straight onto the Sportster S raised the intensity level considerably. The Revolution Max 1250T engine delivers serious punch and the acceleration down the main straight was awesome. In terms of outright drive it felt like the quickest machine I rode all day.
The wide front tyre and limited ground clearance mean it prefers a point-and-shoot riding style rather than sweeping corner speed, but ridden that way it’s hugely entertaining and the TC had its work cut out for it on the drying track but was flawless.
I soon jumped out of Rain mode and had some fun! The braking performance is solid, although given how fast the bike accelerates a second front disc wouldn’t go astray, but the ABS is great. Even so, the overall experience is fantastic and the Sportster S delivers a real sense of muscular performance. I just wish it had a quick-shifter.
Low Rider ST (from $38,995 R/A) – Specifications here.
The next session placed me on the Low Rider ST, a Vivid Black example modified by Harley-Davidson for the launch with a round air cleaner, upgraded audio and forward controls. The ST has always been something of a sleeper within the Softail range and that character really shone through on the circuit.
The Milwaukee-Eight 117 High Output (114hp, 117Nm) engine produces a huge wave of torque and launches the bike out of corners effortlessly, while the chassis remains surprisingly stable when pushed harder than most riders would ever attempt, thanks to the sportier tune of the suspension that H-D give the LRST.
Seeing close to 200km/h on the straight aboard what looks like a laid-back cruiser is pretty awesome, and the ST proved to be an engaging and very capable machine on track, in fact I rode it twice!
The dual front rotors and oversize rear rotor give excellent braking capabilities and the conventional width tyres mean steering and direction change is fantastic. Cornering ABS and Cornering TC really came into play on track in the conditions we tested in, making the LRST even more capable and, importantly, keeping it on track!
Low Rider S (from $34,750 R/A) – Specifications here.
I rode the standard Aurora BLue Denim 2026 LRS first, and it is still the same fantastic bike it always has been, a fun, fast, no frills ride now with modern electronics. Then came the highlight of the entire morning – a White Onyx Pearl Low Rider S fitted with Öhlins suspension front and rear along with a Screamin’ Eagle muffler, Vortex air cleaner and Pro Street tuner.
The difference was immediately obvious. The Öhlins suspension transformed the bike, giving it fantastic chassis control and feedback while still maintaining that raw Harley character. Steering was precise, braking was strong and the engine delivered serious punch everywhere in the rev range.
Without exaggeration, it was the most enjoyable Harley-Davidson I rode during the event. The combination of performance, control and personality made the whole experience absolutely awesome.
Performance Baggers and Grand American Tourers on Track
CVO Street Glide ST (from $64,750 R/A) – Specifications here.
After sampling the Softail models it was time to climb aboard some of Harley-Davidson’s big Grand American Touring machines, beginning with the CVO Street Glide ST finished in striking Inferno Grey. Powered by the 121 cubic inch high-output Milwaukee-Eight engine, the performance of this bike is incredible for something of its size.
Acceleration is immense and the chassis remains impressively composed when pushed hard. The suspension quality is excellent, the electronics work seamlessly and the braking performance is fantastic. On a couple of occasions the cornering ABS stepped in when I drifted slightly off line entering fast corners, proving just how effective the modern rider aids are on these bikes.
Street Glide Limited (from $69,995 R/A) – Specifications here.
The final track session came aboard the Street Glide Limited, which brought a completely different personality to the circuit and got me relaxed ready for a quick lunch and Pepsi Max. Compared with the aggressive ST model it felt more like flying first class in a A380 – which of course is exactly the point.
The riding position is extremely comfortable, the large fairing provides excellent wind protection and the whole bike feels stable and reassuring at speed. Riding something that essentially feels like a rolling lounge chair around a racetrack might sound strange, but it was actually fantastic fun and highlighted just how capable these big touring bikes have become.
Road Ride
After lunch the pace slowed considerably as we headed out onto public roads through Richmond and towards the Hawkesbury Lookout. I rode the Nightster S first up and really found the bike capable in the traffic and urban areas – it just does everything with ease, but after some time on the motorway that seat does become concrete – an easy fix with a custom one…
This is where the larger Harleys really start to make sense. The Street Glide Limited was particularly impressive on the road. The redesigned King Tour-Pak luggage system looks sleek while still offering huge practicality, and the comfort seat truly lives up to its name.
Combined with the smooth ride and the extra grunt from the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, covering kilometres becomes effortless, the only issue is the fuel consumption, which is at best 6L/100km, more than a modern small car, so for those planning big trips you need to budget for that expense with the high output 121 powered models.
The bike also benefits from a 14kg weight reduction compared with previous versions, which helps improve acceleration and overall rideability. The new 10-spoke wheels look fantastic as well, adding a bit of visual bling while also helping reduce unsprung weight. Altogether the package feels refined, comfortable and perfectly suited to long-distance touring.
CVO Road Glide ST (from $64,750 R/A) – Specifications here.
Another standout on the road was the CVO Road Glide finished in the wild Electric Coast colour scheme. The paint definitely grabs attention and the whole bike has a serious presence on the road. Riding it through the tight bends towards Hawkesbury genuinely felt like being part of the Bagger Racing World Cup!
The 121 cubic inch engine is an absolute beast, delivering huge torque and acceleration, while the electronics package is incredibly sophisticated. In many ways it feels comparable to the level of rider aids MotoGP bikes had around a decade ago.
For a motorcycle of this size it stops incredibly well…
One of the biggest surprises was the braking performance. For a motorcycle of this size it stops incredibly well. The only minor issue for me was the size of the mini floorboards, which felt slightly small for my boots. When leaning through corners my foot occasionally touched down earlier than expected, meaning I had to pay attention to my foot placement to avoid dragging it too much.
The Street Glide ST also left a strong impression once we reached the twisty section. Finished in Inferno Grey, the bike looks absolutely fantastic and the revised handlebar setup suited my riding position perfectly. Like the Road Glide CVO it runs the mighty 121 engine, delivering huge torque with smooth fuelling and slick gear changes.
One thing I’d love to see added to these performance baggers in the future it would be a quick-shifter…
Heat management is well controlled too, even when riding slowly through traffic. If there was one thing I’d love to see added to these performance baggers in the future it would be a quick-shifter – even just for upshifts – because the engines certainly have the performance to justify it.
Conclusion
The Sydney Motorsport Park launch provided a great snapshot of Harley-Davidson’s 2026 lineup and the direction the company continues to take. From the nimble Nightster S through to the brutally fast Sportster S, the engaging Softails and the luxurious touring machines, the range demonstrates just how broad the Harley-Davidson family has become.
Testing big American cruisers on a racetrack might seem unusual, but the experience highlighted just how capable these machines really are. Modern suspension, powerful brakes and sophisticated electronics mean they can handle far more spirited riding than many people expect. Out on the open road, however, they feel even more at home. With a big V-twin rumbling beneath you and kilometres disappearing effortlessly, it’s easy to understand why Harley-Davidson continues to have such a loyal global following.
Tech Breakout
Harley-Davidson’s 2026 lineup introduces a series of updates across its Touring, CVO and Trike families, focusing on improved performance, rider comfort and expanded technology. One of the biggest developments is the continued rollout of Milwaukee-Eight engines featuring VVT.
The updated Milwaukee-Eight 117 VVT engine now appears across several Touring and Trike models, producing stronger performance with improved intake and exhaust flow. Compared with the previous Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114, the new engine delivers up to 13 per cent more horsepower and 7.5 per cent more torque.
Touring capability has also been enhanced with the introduction of the Street Glide Limited, which expands Harley-Davidson’s Grand American Touring lineup. The model features a redesigned King Tour-Pak luggage system, heated rider and passenger seats with integrated controls, heated grips, highway pegs and a taller touring windscreen. The bike is also around 14kg lighter than comparable previous models, improving handling and acceleration.
Technology upgrades play a major role in the 2026 lineup as well. Several models now feature Harley-Davidson’s Skyline OS infotainment system displayed via a large 12.3-inch TFT touchscreen. The system integrates navigation with 3D mapping, smartphone connectivity, voice control and multiple instrumentation layouts tailored for cruising, touring or sport riding.
The premium CVO range continues to push the performance envelope with machines such as the CVO Street Glide ST and CVO Road Glide ST. These models feature the powerful 121 cubic inch High Output Milwaukee-Eight engine along with premium components including adjustable inverted front forks, remote reservoir rear shocks, titanium mufflers and forged carbon fibre bodywork.
Trike models also receive major engineering updates for 2026. The Street Glide 3 Limited and Road Glide 3 feature redesigned rear suspension systems that increase wheel travel significantly to improve comfort and stability. A redesigned electric reverse system powered by the starter motor is also lighter and more durable, while ride modes and additional rider safety technologies further enhance the riding experience.
Read our previous Harley-Davidson reviews here…
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