Inspired by postwar garage tuners and the spirit of the Sturgis Rally.

This motorcycle draws inspiration from the raw, minimalist style that captivated many motorcyclists in the aftermath of World War II. The new Deadwood pays homage to that era with a bold character that evokes the spirit of the lone rider. The 2026 Deadwood model is available exclusively in the United States and Canada at a suggested retail price of $17,999 USD, excluding import duties.

Coming soon to authorized Harley-Davidson dealers, the Deadwood is already featured on HD.com and was unveiled to the public on August 7 at the HD.com event held during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota.

Stripped Down for Performance After World War II, a generation of motorcyclists often chose to strip their motorcycles of all ornamentation and non-essential components in order to improve performance and simplify handling.

Getting together at gatherings was a way for them to reconnect with the sense of solidarity they had experienced in the military, and one of the most popular events was the Black Hills Motor Classic, held in Sturgis, South Dakota.

In 1947, more than 400 motorcyclists gathered in Sturgis to ride the winding, spectacular roads of the Black Hills region and visit the towns of Spearfish, Lead, and Deadwood.

“The Deadwood motorcycle embodies that spirit of rebellion and individualism so prevalent after World War II, when many GIs returning home hopped on a Harley-Davidson to experience the thrill and freedom,” explains Bjorn Shuster, director of design at Harley-Davidson. “Back then, few vehicles could match the exhilarating performance of a stripped-down Harley-Davidson built from wartime surplus parts. As designers, we find this era of customization and individualization—the early days of the bobber style—truly inspiring. Our second major source of inspiration comes directly from the name “Deadwood,” a place linked both to the Sturgis Rally and to its own history of rebellion. The graphics on the fuel tank evoke a Western visual language that embodies this place.”

Inspired by this era of personal expression and handcrafted design, the Deadwood 2026 motorcycle is stripped of all ornamentation and glossy finishes. The engine, exhaust, rear fender mounts, handlebars and stem, hand and foot controls, fork covers, front end, turn signals, and headlight are all deep black.

To highlight the engine’s V-shape, only the lower rocker covers and rocker arm tubes are chrome-plated. The fuel tank and the front and rear fenders are painted denim black. The 19-liter, teardrop-shaped fuel tank is topped by a black console housing a 12.7-cm-diameter speedometer.

The spoked wheels with black rims enhance the vintage style. The padded solo seat, with a seat height of 65 cm (25.5 inches) when loaded, reveals the rear fender, giving the Deadwood one of the lowest seat heights in the 2026 Harley-Davidson lineup.

With no saddlebags, the Deadwood reveals the rear section of a Harley-Davidson Softail frame designed to mimic the clean lines of a vintage hardtail frame. The lowered rear suspension and the shortened, removable windshield give the Deadwood a slightly lowered silhouette.

The Deadwood model is powered by a Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic V-Twin engine tuned to prioritize ease of riding with a flat torque curve to deliver satisfying on-road performance.

The 2-in-1 exhaust system optimizes engine performance by promoting efficient exhaust gas flow from the cylinders. The single muffler is made of a lightweight, high-performance acoustic material that maximizes exhaust flow while producing a deep, pleasant rumble at idle and a powerful sound during acceleration.

The Milwaukee-Eight 117 powertrain offers exceptional performance potential when equipped with Screamin’ Eagle Stage kits and Screamin’ Eagle intake and exhaust components available from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories.

A vintage look, modern technology.

Although the Deadwood model boasts an irresistible vintage style, it incorporates the full range of Harley-Davidson technologies. The rider safety enhancements, designed by Harley-Davidson, are intended to boost the rider’s confidence in the event of unexpected situations or challenging road conditions. (Straight-line/cornering anti-lock braking system (ABS/C-ABS), straight-line/cornering traction control system (TCS/C-TCS), straight-line/cornering friction torque control (DSCS/C-DSCS), tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)).

The selectable riding modes electronically control the motorcycle’s performance and the level of electronic intervention. The rider can use the Mode button on the handlebar control to switch riding modes while riding or when stopped. The Deadwood model is equipped with the following riding modes :

Road Mode: Designed for everyday use, Road Mode offers balanced performance.
Sport Mode: The classic Sport mode offers a flat, consistent torque curve with higher torque at both low and high RPMs, providing strong traction across all gears and at all speeds, making it comfortable, forgiving, and easy to ride for days on end.
Rain Mode: This mode is designed to give the rider greater confidence when riding in the rain or on surfaces with limited traction.

The all-LED lighting system is designed to offer style, exceptional lighting performance, and optimal visibility for other drivers.

The Deadwood model features a 7-inch headlight with a distinctive ring, auxiliary fog lights, and a taillight that combines brake lights, parking lights, and turn signals.

The 12.7 cm diameter instrument cluster, integrated into the console, features an analog speedometer above a multifunction LCD screen. The Deadwood rider can use the manual “Trip” control to scroll through the information available on the LCD screen. Two connectors for heated accessories are located on the rear fender, under the seat, for easy access. A USB-C charging port is located on the front left side of the motorcycle. The Harley-Davidson Softail chassis conceals the rear suspension beneath the seat, preserving the classic aesthetics of a vintage rigid frame while delivering a decidedly modern ride.

A rear monoshock with hydraulic preload adjustment under the seat allows the rider to optimize suspension performance based on load and road conditions. The rear suspension travel is 86 mm (3.4 inches). The 49-mm dual-valve fork ensures optimal front-wheel contact with the road for precise handling.

A 300-mm front disc brake and a 292-mm rear brake ensure powerful braking performance. The tubeless spoked wheels with cast aluminum rims feature a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series tires (front 100/90B19, rear 150/80B16) enhance comfort and handling.

Performance of the Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic Engine

Displacement: 117 cubic inches (1,923 cm³)
Bore x Stroke: 4.075 in. x 4.50 in.
Compression ratio: 10.3:1
Recommended octane rating: 91
Maximum torque: 163 Nm (120 lb-ft)
Maximum power: 73 kW (98 ch)

Company History :

Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has been shaping motorcycle culture by offering a biker lifestyle through unique, customizable motorcycles, parts and accessories, experiences, gear, and apparel. “What we make: The best motorcycles in the world. Period. Who we’re for: Bikers around the world. Why we do it: To preserve and grow motorcycle culture. Our values: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and holds a majority stake in Harley-Davidson Financial Services and LiveWire Group, Inc. Harley-Davidson Financial Services offers financing, insurance, and other programs to make motorcycle ownership more accessible. LiveWire is committed to developing the technologies of tomorrow and investing in the talent needed to lead the transformation of motorsports.”

Visit HD.com to discover the new Deadwood model and the entire lineup of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, genuine Harley-Davidson parts and accessories, and Harley-Davidson gear : https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/

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AMILCAR MAGAZINE GROUP – Instagram: @amilcarmagazine
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