Vulcan Drifter Riders

The 2024 Heritage Classic 114 and Road King Special are two of the returning models Harley has announced for the new model year. (Harley-Davidson/)

For its first announcement of the new year, Harley-Davidson is playing it cool—The Motor Company has just quietly dropped news of its returning models for 2024, covering its cruiser, sport, touring, trike, and adventure series. As the list is looking a bit more sparse than we're used to from past MoCo news dumps, we're inclined to call this release the opening act before the main event, with the all-new models and CVO line scheduled to have their own special launch event at H-D.com on January 24.

Not surprisingly, the just-announced 2024 bikes have no changes of note, just new colors, and in fact are already available at most dealers. Let's dig in.

The Road Glide Limited returns for 2024 still packing the M-8 114 engine, and seeing no changes to its frame-mounted sharknose fairing—or anything else. This Blue Burst color option shown adds $1,000 to the $32,499 MSRP. (Harley-Davidson/)

2024 Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring Series

As Harley debuted its heavily reworked CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide with the new Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 engine and upgraded suspension components last year, we thought there might be a trickle-down effect for the rest of the touring models coming into the new model year, but alas it was not to be; the touring line rumbles back into the mix with engine sizes, suspension, and all other elements identical to their 2023 predecessors. The offerings seem to have shrunk too; last year there were nine models in the series, but for 2024 you can only choose from the Road King Special, the Road Glide Special, and the Ultra Limited, all packing the same Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine seen on last year's editions.

Related: Harley-Davidson Teases All-New 2023 CVO Street Glide

The batwing-fairinged 2024 Ultra Limited also starts at $32,499, and is available in gray, black, White Onyx Pearl (shown), Sharkskin Blue, and a two-tone red/black color scheme. Reflex Linked Brembo brakes with ABS and Tour-Pak luggage is standard. (Harley-Davidson/)

We gotta believe the various Street Glide variations (Special, ST, and base model) will return in some form for 2024 as well, but it's possible those will get special treatment at the big announcement on January 24 (possibly/hopefully because they'll have significant changes).

Stretched saddlebags, mini-ape handlebars, and floorboards all return on the 2024 Road King Special, which retails for $24,999 and comes in four color options. (Harley-Davidson/)
The Breakout returned to the lineup last year sporting the Milwaukee-Eight 117, and continues with the same arrangement for 2024. MSRP is $22,499. (Harley-Davidson/)

2024 Harley-Davidson Cruisers

There's a larger pool of bikes and displacements to choose from in H-D's cruiser sector, with seven models returning this year in three engine displacements.

Your most reasonably priced Softail is still the stripped-down 2024 Softail Standard, which retails for $14,999, comes in gray or black, and packs a Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine. For now, it's the only Harley still rolling with that displacement, so you have to wonder how long that's gonna last.

Next up are the Street Bob 114 bobber, Fat Boy 114 cruiser, and Heritage Classic 114 light tourer, all of which are powered (obviously) by the M-8 114 engine, but you'll notice there's no Fat Bob included for 2024. Prices range from $16,999 for the Bob, $21,999 for the Boy, and $22,499 for the Classic.

The most powerful bikes in the range stick with the M-8 117 engine, and include the Breakout ($22,499), Low Rider S ($19,999), and Low Rider ST ($23,399). There are new color options for all three, but no other changes.

Related: 2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide 121 Revealed

The 2024 Heritage Classic 114 starts at $22,499 but this two-tone color adds $850. (Harley-Davidson/)
The 2024 Low Rider ST carries on with its performance-first vibes featuring a jacked-up rear suspension, high handlebars, and beefy M-8 117 engine. (Harley-Davidson/)

2024 Harley-Davidson Sport

The Sportster S returns for 2024 unchanged, packing the liquid-cooled Revolution Max 1250T powertrain and retailing for $16,999. (Harley-Davidson/)

H-D's Sport series, which is what evolved from the ashes of the vaunted Sportster lineup, now features three models. There's the top dog Sportster S model, which rolls with the liquid-cooled RevMax 1250T mill and retails for $16,999, followed by the smaller 975cc Nightster Special at $13,499, and the entry-level Nightster (also with the Revolution Max 975T engine), which rings in at $11,999 and is available in two colors for 2024.

Related: 2023 Harley-Davidson Sportster S Review

The 2024 Nightster Special rolls with the smaller 975T Revolution Max engine. This Baja Orange color adds $450 to the $13,499 price. (Harley-Davidson/)
The 2024 Road Glide 3 is one of the returning trike models Harley has announced for the new model year. There are no changes, just new colors. (Harley-Davidson/)

2024 Harley-Davidson Trikes

Meanwhile there are three Harley-Davidson trike models returning for 2024, and again, all are mechanically unchanged and rolling with the Milwaukee-Eight 114 powertrain. In order of price and amenities, you have the Tri Glide Ultra, the Road Glide 3 ($34,999), and the Freewheeler ($31,999)  all in the mix for the new model year, with the fully loaded Tri Glide commanding the top slot for touring equipment as well as price, at $37,999.

The fully loaded Tri Glide Ultra, in Blue Burst ($1,200 premium), rolls into 2024. (Harley-Davidson/)

As we said up front, the limited-production 2024 models from Harley's Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) series and more new H-D motorcycle models will be revealed with a special launch film called American Dreamin' on H-D.com at 10 a.m. CST on January 24. We'll have more to share then.