HARLEY-Davidson is poised to take a “bold new step” that will introduce them to a fresh audience.
The iconic motorcycle manufacturer, cherished throughout the US, will gain substantial visibility in Europe thanks to one of the globe’s most celebrated racing series.
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Credit: Harley Davidson
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Credit: MotoGP
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Credit: Harley Davidson
According to ESPN, Harley-Davidson and MotoGP, the leading motorcycle road racing series, have unveiled a support championship set to launch in 2026, where teams will race bagger motorcycles at grands prix across Europe and North America.
This series will feature riders racing specially prepared Harley-Davidson Road Glide bagger motorcycles—designed for long-distance tours.
The 12-race championship will be hosted at six grands prix throughout the MotoGP season, with an expected six to eight teams, each with two riders, participating.
No specific race venues have been confirmed yet, but it is speculated that one location will be the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
In a statement, Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz stated: “This marks a bold new chapter for Harley-Davidson’s global racing aspirations.”
“We are thrilled to introduce a new style of racing to an international audience with this new series.”
As reported by AutoSport, he continued: “The motorcycle will reach speeds over 300 km/h, weigh approximately 280 kg, and generate 200 bhp.
“These are truly powerful machines that will hit the tracks across Europe and North America.”
This initiative comes shortly after the opening of a new Harley-Davidson dealership in a crucial area of the US, overcoming various hurdles to bring it to fruition.
To celebrate the grand opening, a well-known personality appeared to kickstart this exciting new phase for the store.
On its opening day, an event that attracted a large gathering of enthusiasts and local community members featured live music and food vendors.
This celebration culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the official launch of the dealership.
The new Stonewall Harley-Davidson dealership, situated in Greene County, Virginia, was notably visited by Karen Davidson, a significant figure within the Harley-Davidson community, who took part in the ceremonial “chain cutting”.
Davidson is the great-granddaughter of one of Harley-Davidson’s co-founders and the daughter of Willie G. Davidson, a legendary designer associated with the Harley-Davidson brand.
In addition to the chain-cutting, she engaged with fans and signed copies of her grandfather’s memoir, *Ride Free*.
Harley-Davidson Closures in 2024
There are over 650 Harley-Davidson dealerships throughout America.
However, several stores have shut down for various reasons in 2024, with little explanation provided.
Below is a list of some Harley-Davidson locations that have closed this year and their reasons for shutting:
A San Francisco location ceased operations in June 2024 after 110 years due to ‘chaos’ caused by new management.
Miracle City Harley-Davidson in Titusville, Florida, closed its doors in September 2024 with no reason provided.
Harley-Davidson’s historic location in New York City closed on September 28, 2024, with the owner citing economic difficulties.
Reiman’s Harley-Davidson dealership in Kewanee, Illinois, ceased operations in October 2024 after the owners sold the business to the Walter Brothers Harley-Davidson dealership in Peoria, Illinois.
Another Illinois dealership shut down in November 2024.
Additionally, the dealership in West Bend, Wisconsin, is temporarily closing for the season from November 2 until April 1, 2024.
In 2025, Hideout Harley-Davidson in Missouri announced its closure at the end of March.