New models for 2027 leaked in approval documents and include a reborn Super Glide
We’ve already had the first hints of Harley-Davidson’s upcoming models for 2027 – with the brand itself confirming the upcoming return of the Sportster 888 and the 440cc, single-cylinder Sprint – but now approval documents in America have revealed that another famous name is coming back with a revived Super Glide in the Softail-based range.
It’s the latest in a string of hints about upcoming bikes. We previously reported on the company’s new trademarks on the names ‘Low Bob’ and ‘Deadwood.’ The latter has also now been confirmed in Californian emissions documents alongside the Super Glide.
The documents confirm that both the Deadwood and the new Super Glide will use the 1923cc ‘117’ Milwaukee-Eight V-twin, probably in its 114hp ‘High Output’ form. An identical engine also appears, according to the document, in the 2027 versions of the Low Rider S, Low Rider ST, Heritage Classic and Street Bob. The list notably lacks some models, though, with no reference to the expected Low Bob, the Breakout, or the Fat Boy. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Fat Boy and Breakout are being dropped. They may simply be getting a different engine spec, perhaps the 1977cc ‘121’ version of the Milwaukee-Eight that’s currently reserved for the ultra-expensive CVO models.
What will the new Super Glide be like? History gives us a clue. The original version first appeared in 1971, pairing the frame from the Electra Glide with the forks from the Sportster to become the company’s first factory custom, reflecting the way owners were modifying their own bikes. In the 90s the Super Glide name reappeared on the Dyna platform, living on until 2013 in various forms.
Since the twin-shock Dyna range was absorbed into the Softail lineup in 2018, the new Super Glide will be Softail-based – seemingly confirmed by the new emissions documents that place it among other models in that range. The docs show it’s one of the lightest models in that range, with an ‘EIM’ (equivalent inertial mass – a vague figure intended to represent the bike, rider and luggage) of 400kg, matching the figure for the new Deadwood and the carry-over Street Bob. In real terms, that means it’s going to be in the region of 290kg ready to ride.
Visually, we’d expect slim forks, relatively raked-out, along with a large-diameter, narrow wire wheel at the front, paired with a smaller wheel and fat tyre at the back, with stripped-back bodywork not unlike that of the Breakout. Essentially a 1970s custom look that’s notably absent from Harley’s current range.
