Harley to exit King of the Baggers factory racing after 2026 season
Harley-Davidson will end its factory racing participation and official team support in the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers series following the 2026 season as the company reshapes its global racing strategy.
The announcement came Oct. 2 as Harley-Davidson outlined two racing priorities for 2027: expanding the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup as its premier racing platform and developing more accessible grassroots racing opportunities across a range of disciplines.
Harley-Davidson said its factory racing program in King of the Baggers will conclude after the 2026 season, ending the company’s direct factory effort in a series that has become one of the most visible rivalries in American motorcycle racing.
The company credited MotoAmerica and its leadership for helping establish the King of the Baggers category, specifically recognizing Richard Varner, Chuck Aksland, Terry Karges and Wayne Rainey.
Harley-Davidson Factory Racing has been highly successful in the six-season history of the category. The team captured three of the six national championships, while Kyle Wyman became the winningest rider in King of the Baggers history with 27 individual victories.
“Thank you to MotoAmerica for their partnership and commitment to King of the Baggers. Without their support, and the exciting racing in the series, we would not have the success we achieved,” says Jason Kehl, technical director and team principal of Harley-Davidson Factory Racing.
Kehl also credited Indian Motorcycle Racing for providing a strong competitive rival throughout the series’ history.
“Having a rival that consistently pushed us to raise our level made our team better, helped elevate the entire category, and made the wins much more meaningful,” Kehl adds. “We are extremely proud of what Harley-Davidson Factory Racing, our riders, employees, supported teams and partners have accomplished.”
Harley-Davidson’s factory withdrawal follows a 2026 season in which Indian Motorcycle Racing’s Vance & Hines effort captured the King of the Baggers championship with Hayden Gillim. Harley-Davidson’s factory team had previously won championships in 2021, 2023 and 2025, while Indian claimed the titles in 2022, 2024 and 2026.
The company’s decision shifts its emphasis to the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, which debuted in 2026 through a partnership involving Harley-Davidson, MotoGP and the FIM.
Harley-Davidson said it will expand the Bagger World Cup in 2027 with additional teams, riders and races. The company described the championship as a development and demonstration platform for Harley-Davidson performance, including future motorcycle development and race-derived Screamin’ Eagle performance products.
“Our evolved racing strategy inspires all of us to ride by putting the fastest Harley-Davidson motorcycles on the biggest stage, while bringing the same competitive edge to a broader audience through our grassroots program,” says Artie Starrs, president and CEO of Harley-Davidson.
The company said the engineering expertise and performance knowledge developed through its Factory Racing program will continue to support the Bagger World Cup, motorcycle development and Screamin’ Eagle and other performance parts.
While Harley-Davidson is ending its factory effort, the move does not necessarily mean Harley-Davidson motorcycles will disappear from King of the Baggers competition. The company specifically announced the end of factory participation and official team support, leaving open the possibility of continued Harley-Davidson representation through independent teams.
For Harley-Davidson, the move represents a significant shift from its six-season head-to-head battle with Indian in MotoAmerica toward a racing program with a broader international focus and no competition from other brands.
