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A Harley for Under $10,000! Meet the Sprint 440!
I’m in Barcelona for the launch of the all-new Harley-Davidson Sprint 440! A true cruiser: low, lightweight… and with plenty of attitude.
And the price? $8,499 CAD. Yes, a brand-new Harley for under $10,000!
A Nod to 1961
The name Sprint is no coincidence. Back in 1961, Harley-Davidson introduced the original Sprint: a lightweight, small-displacement single-cylinder motorcycle with a low seat, built in Italy in partnership with Aermacchi to attract young riders getting on a motorcycle for the first time.
65 years later, the mission remains the same: remove the barriers of price, intimidation and complexity… without losing that Harley feel.
Big-Bike Looks
This is where it won me over. A teardrop-shaped tank, two-up seat, short rear fender and LED headlight integrated into the fork, just like on the brand’s larger cruisers.
With a 27.6-degree rake, a 57.1-inch wheelbase, and 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels, it has exactly the long, low profile we love to see on a Harley.
Designed for Comfort and Confidence
The seat height is just 26.4 inches, and the bike weighs 412 lb fully fueled. The narrow seat also makes it easier to get both feet firmly on the ground. At 5’6″, I could easily reach the ground, and that gives you confidence right away! And if you’re 5 feet tall, you’re going to love this bike!
For taller riders, however, I strongly recommend the Tallboy seat for added comfort. It raises you approximately 2 inches and moves you back 2.5 inches, providing a more natural position for your arms and legs.
The foot controls are mid-mounted rather than forward-mounted, allowing for a natural riding position. The assist-and-slip clutch also makes the lever incredibly light, which makes a big difference in traffic while helping keep the rear wheel stable during aggressive downshifts.
In short, this bike is aimed at new riders, both men and women, those returning to motorcycling after a break, and riders of all sizes.
A Single-Cylinder Engine with Character
Under the tank sits a 440cc air- and oil-cooled single-cylinder engine producing 27 hp and 28 lb-ft of torque. It’s designed to deliver plenty of low-end torque, exactly what you want in a cruiser: you feel the pull as soon as you twist the throttle. A counterbalancer helps smooth out vibrations, and I can confirm it works: this bike doesn’t vibrate at all!
The six-speed transmission features overdrive fifth and sixth gears for relaxed highway cruising and improved fuel efficiency. And unlike larger Harleys that use belt drive, the rear wheel is chain-driven. The single exhaust has also been tuned to deliver a deep, rounded sound.
As for fuel economy, Harley claims consumption as low as 2.9 L/100 km (80 mpg), with a 9-litre (2.4-gallon) fuel tank. That’s plenty of riding without having to stop at every gas station!
What’s Underneath
Up front, you’ll find an inverted fork with 5.1 inches of travel. At the rear, two preload-adjustable shocks offer seven settings and 3 inches of travel. Braking is handled by a 12.6-inch front disc, a 9.4-inch rear disc and standard ABS.
Technology is simple and effective: a 3.5-inch colour TFT display, full LED lighting and a USB-C port above the headlight to keep your phone charged.
Stylish Finishes
The Sprint 440 is available in Dark Billiard Gray, Vivid Black and Teal Thunder. All three feature an orange graphic running across the tank, with a checkered pattern in the centre. Add a black engine with machined cooling fins and 10-spoke black wheels with machined accents… For a motorcycle at this price point, the attention to detail is impressive!
Make It Your Own
Like any good Harley, the Sprint can be customized. For added style, there’s the Willie G. Skull collection (footpegs, bar-end mirrors and grips), along with a more stylish handlebar.
For ergonomics, you can choose the Tallboy seat for taller riders, the Reach seat to bring shorter riders closer to the controls, or a solo Brawler seat. And if you’re planning longer rides, there are saddlebags, a passenger backrest and a windshield.
Riding Through Catalonia
We spent the entire day riding, from the streets of Barcelona to the curves of Garraf Natural Park, then through the vineyards of the Penedès region, with a seaside lunch along the way. Not a bad day at the office!
First surprise: the low-end torque. For a 440, it pulls much harder than I expected!
It’s nimble, lightweight and handles corners well. The suspension is good, too. The only downside: the footpegs touch the ground fairly quickly when you start leaning into corners. Nothing dangerous, but it is a cruiser… so you have to ride it like one!
As for comfort, I have no complaints. And most importantly, it’s fun. I had a smile on my face inside my helmet from start to finish.
My Verdict
The Sprint 440 is the perfect motorcycle for new riders. At $8,499 CAD, it’s the most accessible way to ride away on a brand-new Harley. Its goal is to get more people in the saddle. And it checks all the boxes: low, lightweight, easy to ride and seriously fun.
Thank You!
A big thank-you to the Harley-Davidson Canada team for inviting me to Barcelona!
