Next year will see a new MotoGP race series. But it’s not for high-performance supersports bikes, or even powerful naked machines. Instead the new one-make championship will feature Harley-Davidson ‘bagger’ cruiser bikes, complete with hard pannier-style touring bodywork! The AMA King of the Baggers series pioneered the unlikely competition, and seeing retired MotoGP aces and WSBK riders riding the highly tuned touring bikes caught the imagination of the riding public.
MotoGP and Harley are running the support round at six race weekends in 2026 across the US and Europe. There will be two races at each meet, with around eight teams all running two riders, and the bikes themselves are all identical 280kg 200bhp race-developed variants of Harley’s CVO RR Road Glide machines.
“This is a bold new step for Harley-Davidson’s global racing ambitions,” said Jochen Zeitz, CEO at Harley-Davidson. “With this new series, we’re excited to bring a new form of racing to the world stage. It will add an amazing spectacle to the greatest motorcycle show in the world.”
“This collaboration with Harley-Davidson is an exciting opportunity for both parties,” said Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports.
“We offer a truly international platform for Harley-Davidson to expand its global reach, and Harley-Davidson is perfectly placed to join us in bringing our sport to new audiences. This partnership has big potential for both our strategies and will deliver a real spectacle for fans.”