Harley-Davidson Goes Racing: King of the Baggers Joins the MotoGP Circus

For decades, Harley-Davidson has been the symbol of American motorcycling—freedom, torque, chrome, and rumbling V-Twins. But in 2025, Harley’s taking that roar to a whole new level. That’s right: King of the Baggers is officially joining the MotoGP weekend lineup.

It’s a move that’s lit up forums, comment sections, and group chats like a misfiring ignition. Hardcore race fans are raising eyebrows. Harley loyalists are cheering. And the rest of us? We’re sitting back with popcorn, because this could be the most entertaining shakeup in modern motorsport.

But what’s really behind this bold move? What’s it going to look like? And why are some fans reacting like it’s the end of racing as we know it?

Let’s break it down.

A Bold Strategic Move From a Brand Under Pressure

If you’ve glanced at Harley-Davidson’s recent financial reports, you’ll know they’re not exactly flying high. Sales have slumped. Their core demographic is aging. Electric bike development has been rocky. And competition from both Europe and Asia has intensified.

So how does a brand steeped in heritage—and burdened by it—reinvent itself?

By taking a risk.

Adding the King of the Baggers series to the MotoGP weekend is Harley’s way of declaring: we’re still here, and we’re not just looking backward. It’s a chance to break free from the “boomer cruiser” stereotype and get in front of a younger, performance-focused global audience.

And make no mistake, MotoGP is the world’s premier motorcycle racing platform. Getting airtime on that stage isn’t just marketing—it’s a statement.

From Touring Couch to Racing Machine: The Road Glide Reimagined

Let’s clear something up straight away. These bikes might look like your weekend tourer, but under the hood, they’re finely tuned weapons.

The King of the Baggers series was born from a dare. In 2020, teams showed up to Laguna Seca with modified touring bikes—bags and all. The event was so wild, so loud, and so well-received that it sparked an entire race series.

Today’s race-spec Road Glides and Indian Challengers are a far cry from stock. Here’s what goes into transforming a 375kg bagger into a legit track contender:

• Weight reduction: From over 800 lbs to under 620 lbs in race trim

• Ohlins or Penske suspension: Full race-spec suspension setups

• Big horsepower: Pushing upwards of 185hp from those iconic Milwaukee-Eight V-twins

• Big Torque: 150+ torque to get those big chassis moving

• Carbon fiber bodywork and bags

• Race-grade brakes: Brembo calipers and custom rotors

• Quickshifters, data loggers, adjustable rearsets, and titanium exhausts

• Aerodynamic fairings and—yes—winglets

If you still think these are “tractors,” you're in for a rude awakening when you hear one at full tilt on a hot lap.

Performance speaks louder than opinions. And when it comes to lap times, these bikes are seriously impressive.

At Circuit of the Americas (COTA)—a grueling, technical circuit—the top King of the Baggers bikes clock laps just 20–25 seconds slower than full-blown MotoGP prototypes. That’s on a 5.5km circuit where every corner tests braking, agility, and outright power.

Given the size and shape of these bikes, that’s astonishing.

They’re faster than many expect—and the gap continues to shrink as teams refine setups and riders push harder.

Who’s Racing?

This isn’t a backyard bar fight. The grid features top-level teams and factory-backed efforts:

• Harley-Davidson Factory Racing (Screamin Eagle)

• S&S Cycle

• Vance and Hines

• DynoJet

• Feuling

• Saddlemen

• HPI Racing, SDI Racing, and more

Riders include ex-MotoAmerica pros, flat track champions, and former GP test riders.

Harley’s Racing Roots Run Deeper Than You Think

It’s easy to forget, but Harley-Davidson has a long (and wild) history in racing. From board track racing in the 1910s—arguably the world’s first organized motorcycle races—to the dominance of the XR750 in flat track, Harley has competed and won in all kinds of disciplines.

• 1910s–1930s: Dominated wooden board track circuits

• 1950s–80s: Multiple AMA Grand National Championship wins

• 1970s–80s: The XR750 becomes an American racing icon

• 2000s: Short stint in AMA Superbike with the VR1000

• 2020s: Re-emerges through King of the Baggers and flat track efforts

This return to road racing is less a marketing stunt and more a homecoming.

And more recently? Test riders like Randy Mamola, John Hopkins, Simon Crafar, and Marco Melandri have all thrown a leg over a King of the Baggers machine and come away smiling. These aren’t novelty bikes—they’re legit.

An Unlikely Comparison: Moto2 and King of the Baggers

Another popular critique: “It's a Harley-only show.”

Funny, because Moto2, one of MotoGP’s main support classes, features identical Triumph 765cc triple engines across the grid. The difference comes down to chassis, suspension, electronics, and rider skill.

Sound familiar?

King of the Baggers operates on a similar philosophy. The bikes share common platforms, but the competition is fierce—modifications, engineering finesse, and riding ability all play critical roles.

It’s not a spec series. It’s a battle of brands and brains.

How the Series Has Grown—and Fast

What began as a one-off race in 2020 has now evolved into a fully-fledged series under the MotoAmerica banner. Every year, the grid grows, the lap times shrink, and the crowd gets louder.

In 2023, King of the Baggers was one of the most watched and attended classes during MotoAmerica weekends. Fan engagement was through the roof, and the content went viral across social media. People love watching these monsters do the impossible.

The roar. The lean angles. The sparks. The absurdity. It’s part motorsport, part theater—and 100% entertaining.

The Internet Isn’t Always Right (Shocking, We Know)

If you scroll through Reddit or YouTube comments, you’ll see the usual jabs:

• “Watching tractors race”

• “This is embarrassing”

• “Harley’s just trying to win something”

• “These bikes will blow up before Turn 3”

But let’s face it—every innovation in racing has been met with skepticism. MotoE. Electric Dakar bikes. Even MotoGP’s ride-height devices had their haters.

Yet here we are.

King of the Baggers is fun, loud, unique—and it's drawing new eyes to the sport. And in a world where attention spans are shrinking, that's a win in itself.

Will There Be a UK Round? Fingers Crossed

Here’s where the personal bit comes in: Please let one of the rounds be at Silverstone.

The thought of hearing these V-Twin beasts thunder down the Wellington Straight, bags scraping, sparks flying? It’s the stuff of dreams.

MotoGP at Silverstone is already electric—but throw in a pack of fire-breathing American baggers and you've got a showstopper

What It Means for the Future of Motorcycling

Harley’s move isn’t just about racing—it’s about repositioning. They’re planting a flag in the performance world again, right in the heart of MotoGP’s global fanbase.

This matters for the future of the brand.

By embracing racing, Harley:

• Reconnects with younger riders

• Showcases engineering capability

• Reinforces American motorcycle culture

• Proves it’s not afraid to evolve

And for MotoGP fans? It’s a breath of fresh air. A break from the ultra-refined, high-tech norm. Something gritty, different, and loud.

King of the Baggers joining the MotoGP weekend might feel out of place at first. But so did a lot of things we now take for granted in motorsport.

This isn’t a replacement for MotoGP. It’s a complement. A different flavor. And if you’ve never seen one of these races in person—you’re in for a treat.

So next time you hear someone moaning about “Harleys ruining MotoGP,” ask them if they’ve actually seen one race. Because chances are, once they do—they’ll get it.

V-Twins. Lean angles. Bar-mounted fairings and all.

The baggers are coming. And racing might never be the same again.

The Push the Limit series is well worth watching and will definitely get you pumped for this!!