Harley-Davidson’s new Deadwood cruiser embraces and honors not only the spirit of rebellion and individualism the brand has been legendary for but also the freedom and excitement soldiers were seeking returning home WWII. Starting at 17,999 USD the new model is raw, stripped-down with a rugged persona just ripe for customization. In an effort to boost performance and simplify the ride, the Deadwood features Harley-Davidson’s 117 ci (1923cc) 120 lb.ft. (163 Nm) torquey engine with 98 hp (73 kW) Horsepower on a 686lb bike. Gas mileage is also good at 47mpg. While the Deadwood model is full of vintage style, it also features a full complement of Harley-Davidson® technology (ABS/C-ABS), (TCS/C-TCS), (DSCS/C-DSCS) and (TPMS); plus you’ll also get selectable ride modes, all-LED lighting, multi-function LCD digital display and USB-C charging port.
Oh, and it’s only for those in America or Canada, sorry to those G.I.’s outside of North America.
While the Deadwood looks great in deep black (and only available in that scheme), I sure hope someday it will be offered in official WWII Olive Drab (OD) Green. Wouldn’t that have given it a truly iconic color of the era that was liberally used for camouflage on uniforms, vehicles, and equipment? Maybe H-D will read that and offer it up as a “Deadwood WWII G.I. Version” or something! As an AMRY G.I. veteran myself, it’s great to see a honest attempt by a brand to bring back something that means a lot to a lot of people who returned from service after a war. I don’t know if they “enlisted” the help of any veterans in making the model but it’s a great homage piece. Thank you H-D.
Ok, so there you have it on the new Deadwood. Maybe it strikes a cord with you? Maybe it doesn’t? New Harley-Davidson Deadwood Offers up WWII Spirit of Freedom and it’s here at Total Motorcycle today! Plus see all our new 2026 and 2027 Harley-Davidson motorcycle reviews too.
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19.… pic.twitter.com/1EYHHEwrLb— 𝙏𝙤𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙮𝙘𝙡𝙚™ 🏍 ᵉˢᵗ ¹⁹⁹⁹ (@TotalMotorcycle) July 19, 2026
NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEADWOOD MOTORCYCLE DELIVERS STRIPPED-DOWN VINTAGE STYLE
Inspired by Post-War Garage Customizers and the Spirit of the Sturgis Rally
Harley-Davidson today rolls out the new black sheep of its Cruiser portfolio with the introduction of the Deadwood model, a motorcycle that taps into the raw, stripped-down look popular with many riders immediately following World War II. The new Deadwood motorcycle celebrates this era with a rugged persona that evokes the spirit of the solo rider. The 2026 Deadwood model is available only in the United States and Canada with an MSRP of $17,999* (U.S.). Arriving soon at authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships, the Deadwood model will make its public debut August 7 at the Harley-Davidson event headquarter activation during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, S.D.
Stripped For Performance
The generation of post-World War II riders often chose to strip their bikes of non-essential trim and components in an effort to boost performance and simplify the ride. Riding together to rallies was a way to recapture the unity they embraced in the military, and one of the most popular was the Black Hills Motor Classic centered in Sturgis, S.D. In 1947, more than 400 riders converged on Sturgis to tour the spectacular winding roads of the Black Hills region and visit the communities of Spearfish, Lead and Deadwood.
“The Deadwood motorcycle embodies that spirit of rebellion and individualism that was so prevalent following World War II, when many returning GI rode a Harley-Davidson motorcycle to experience excitement and freedom,” said Bjorn Shuster, Harley-Davidson Head of Design. “At that time, very few vehicles could match the thrilling performance of a stripped-down war-surplus Harley-Davidson. As designers, we find this era of customization and personalization, the early origins of the bobber-style custom, to be very inspirational. Our second key source of inspiration lies directly in the name Deadwood, a place linked to both the Sturgis Rally and to its own rebellious history. The graphic design for the tank art evokes a Western visual language which personifies that location.”
Inspired by this era of garage-built self-expression, the 2026 Deadwood motorcycle is stripped of ornamental trim and bright finishes. The powertrain, exhaust, rear fender struts, handlebar and riser, hand and foot controls, fork covers and front end, signals and headlamp bucket are all finished in deep black. To highlight the V shape of the powertrain only the lower rocker covers and pushrod tubes are chrome plated. Denim Black paint covers fuel tank and front and rear fenders. The five-gallon teardrop fuel tank is topped with a black console holding a five-inch diameter instrument.
Laced wheels with black rims reinforce the period styling. A tuck-and-roll solo seat with a laden seat height of 25.5 inches exposes the rear fender giving the Deadwood motorcycle one of the lowest seat heights of any 2026 Harley-Davidson model. The Deadwood model is not equipped with saddlebags, revealing the rear portion of a Harley-Davidson Softail chassis designed to mimic the clean lines of a vintage hardtail frame. Lowered rear suspension and a chopped detachable windshield give the Deadwood model a slightly slammed profile.
The Deadwood model is powered by a Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic V-Twin engine tuned to emphasize ease in rideability with a flat torque curve to deliver satisfying street performance.
Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic Engine Performance
Displacement: 117 cubic inches (1923cc) Bore x Stroke: 4.075″ x 4.50″
Compression Ratio: 10.3:1 Fuel Octane Recommendation: 91
Peak Torque: 120 lb. ft. (163 Nm) Peak Horsepower: 98 hp (73 kW)
The 2-into-1 exhaust enhances engine tuning by promoting efficient scavenging of exhaust from the engine cylinders. The single muffler features lightweight advanced acoustic material to maximize flow while it delivers a satisfying low rumble at idle and powerful exhaust note under acceleration. The Milwaukee-Eight 117 powertrain offers significant performance potential with the installation of Screamin’ Eagle Stage Kits and Screamin’ Eagle intake and exhaust components available from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories.
Vintage Looks, Modern Technology
While the Deadwood model is dripping with vintage style, it features a full complement of Harley-Davidson technology. Rider Safety Enhancements by Harley-Davidson are designed to enhance rider confidence during unexpected situations or adverse road conditions. The Deadwood model is equipped with following elements of Rider Safety Enhancements by Harley-Davidson:
- Straight Line/Cornering Antilock Braking System (ABS/C-ABS)
- Straight Line/Cornering Traction Control System (TCS/C-TCS)
- Straight Line/Cornering Drag Torque Slip Control (DSCS/C-DSCS)
- Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)
Selectable ride modes electronically control the performance characteristics of the motorcycle and the level of technology intervention. The rider may use the hand control Mode button to change the active ride mode while riding the motorcycle or when stopped. The Deadwood model is equipped with the following Ride Modes:
- Road Mode: Intended for daily use, Road Mode delivers balanced performance.
- Sport Mode: Classic Sport Mode features a flat and smooth torque curve with greater low- and high-speed torque that pulls hard in all gears and any speed, 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 when traction is otherwise limited.
All-LED lighting is designed to deliver style, outstanding lighting performance and conspicuity to other motorists. The Deadwood model features a seven-inch headlamp with signature ring, auxiliary fog lamps and combination stop/tail/turn rear lighting.
The five-inch diameter console-mounted instrument presents an analog speedometer display above a multi-function LCD digital display. The Deadwood rider can use the Trip hand control button to scroll through available information in the LCD display. Two heated gear connectors are located on the top of the rear fender below the seat for easy access. A USB-C charging port is located at the front-left side of the motorcycle.
The Harley-Davidson Softail chassis hides the rear suspension below the seat to maintain the classic look of a vintage hardtail frame while offering a thoroughly modern ride. A rear monoshock with under-seat hydraulic pre-load adjustment allows the rider to maintain optimal suspension performance for the prevailing load and road conditions. Rear suspension travel is 3.4 inches. Dual-bending valve 49 mm forks keep the front wheel in contact with the road surface for confident handling. Sure braking performance is provided by a single front disc brake with 300mm rotor and single rear brake with 292mm rotor. Tubeless laced wheels with cast aluminum rims enable Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS). Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series tires (Front 100/90B19, Rear 150/80B16) enhance ride and handling performance.
*Available only from dealers in the United States and Canada. Prices listed are the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices for base models. Prices exclude tax, title, licensing, registration fees, destination charges, surcharges (attributable to raw materials costs in the product supply chain), added accessories, and additional dealer charges, if any, and are subject to change. Harley-Davidson reimburses dealers for performing manufacturer-specified pre-delivery inspection and setup tasks. Dealer prices may vary.
Michael Le Pard (“Mr. Totalmotorcycle”) is the Founder of Total Motorcycle, the world’s largest motorcycle information site, trusted by over 430 million riders since 1999. With over 34 years of experience in motorcycles, gear and rider culture, he has built a global community dedicated to empowering and inspiring motorcyclists.
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