Harley Backing 12-Race Bagger Series at Six MotoGP Rounds
Following its Barcelona test last November, AMD was almost alone in suggesting that Harley-Davidson shouldn't go near a MotoGP event-based Bagger Racing series. However, the news has now been confirmed - with a 12-race series in planned for six selected MotoGP rounds in 2026.
"Pairing one of the world's most iconic brands with the most exciting sport on earth," Harley-Davidson and MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports (Madrid, Spain) are to launch a new global racing championship in 2026 featuring Harley-Davidson Bagger motorcycles.
In the absence of competitive brands and models, such as Indian Motorcycle's Challenger (or BMW's K1600 or R 18 B), it will, in essence, be a "Company Cup" - the conventional orthodoxy for which is to grow demand for a product line. However, Harley recently reiterated its core range strategy of premium pricing and "brand exclusivity" - while continuing to reduce dealer inventory and having previously reduced the number of international markets they sell into. They will have to sell enough tee-shirts to circle the earth a hundred times make it pay its way (that, btw, is a guesstimate - but you get the general idea).
The twelve-race series will be staged at six Grands Prix rounds in Europe and North America, with riders battling it out on race-prepared Road Glides in two races per round. The grid is expected to comprise six to eight teams, each fielding two riders -supported by Harley-Davidson Factory Racing (HDFR).
It is hard not to see the fingerprints of Colorado based Formula 1 owner Liberty Media all over this move - though at this stage the final approvals for their planned acquisition of MotoGP/Dorna Sports remains uncertain - stalled in the European Union's Anti-Trust bureaucracy. The company's 2017 acquisition of Formula 1 faced similar hurdles.
Regardless, Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports stated that "this collaboration is an exciting opportunity for both parties. We offer a truly international platform for Harley-Davidson to expand their global reach.
More details, including the calendar and how fans will be able to watch and stay up to date, will be revealed soon. Those looking to join the growing field or explore sponsorship and media opportunities are invited can contact: factoryracing@harley-davidson.com
