Photo: Harley-Davidson
Despite the company being of crucial importance for the motorcycle world as a whole, Harley-Davidson is not all that visible with its own, factory-backed teams in the world's various two-wheeler racing series. Ever since the King of the Baggers competition was established two years ago however, that appears to be changing, and we couldn't be more pleased.
The series started out back in 2020 as a sort of side event meant to provide an extra dose of excitement for those attending the country's most important motorcycle events. For the first time, it placed bagger motorcycles on the tarmac of America's most famous tracks, and had them race each other to spectacular wins.
What was a limited event that year turned into a small racing series in 2021, and the country's favorite bagger maker, Harley-Davidson, was crowned the winner of the competition. A racer named Kyle Wyman was responsible for the win.
The Milwaukee company had established its own bagger racing team, called Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle, which comprised Kyle Wyman and his brother, Travis, but lost the 2022 title to Indian. It lost it this year as well, even if, to be fair, the current champion, Hayden Gillim, is also riding a Harley, but for the Vance & Hines team.
Come 2024 the King of the Baggers series will become the largest yet, expanding to a total of 16 races to be held over eight double-headers taking place at the same time with the MotoAmerica Superbike Series.
That means 2024 will probably be the most challenging for riders of V-Twin touring motorcycles with fairings and saddlebags, and Harley-Davidson plans to make the most of it – it will enter the next season with the factory team as well, targeting no more and no less than the championship crown.
For next season the Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle has suffered some modifications. One of the pillars of the teams so far, Kyle Wyman, stays on board as he goes after more wins to add to his already impressive collection – 12 wins in 24 races so far, and the champion title in 2021.
For some reason, his brother Travis is out, and he will be replaced by Vance & Hines's James Rispoli. He was a serious contender for the title this year, ending up just behind teammate Hayden Gillim at the end of all the races.
We'll see these two guys and their Harley-prepped baggers in action starting with the event in Daytona in March 2024. It will be followed by races at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (April), Road America (May), Brainerd International Raceway (June), WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (July), Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (August), Circuit of The Americas (September), and New Jersey Motorsports Park (also September).
What was a limited event that year turned into a small racing series in 2021, and the country's favorite bagger maker, Harley-Davidson, was crowned the winner of the competition. A racer named Kyle Wyman was responsible for the win.
The Milwaukee company had established its own bagger racing team, called Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle, which comprised Kyle Wyman and his brother, Travis, but lost the 2022 title to Indian. It lost it this year as well, even if, to be fair, the current champion, Hayden Gillim, is also riding a Harley, but for the Vance & Hines team.
Come 2024 the King of the Baggers series will become the largest yet, expanding to a total of 16 races to be held over eight double-headers taking place at the same time with the MotoAmerica Superbike Series.
That means 2024 will probably be the most challenging for riders of V-Twin touring motorcycles with fairings and saddlebags, and Harley-Davidson plans to make the most of it – it will enter the next season with the factory team as well, targeting no more and no less than the championship crown.
For next season the Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle has suffered some modifications. One of the pillars of the teams so far, Kyle Wyman, stays on board as he goes after more wins to add to his already impressive collection – 12 wins in 24 races so far, and the champion title in 2021.
For some reason, his brother Travis is out, and he will be replaced by Vance & Hines's James Rispoli. He was a serious contender for the title this year, ending up just behind teammate Hayden Gillim at the end of all the races.
We'll see these two guys and their Harley-prepped baggers in action starting with the event in Daytona in March 2024. It will be followed by races at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (April), Road America (May), Brainerd International Raceway (June), WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (July), Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (August), Circuit of The Americas (September), and New Jersey Motorsports Park (also September).
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