The iconic American brand Harley-Davidson created a buzz at the recent MotoGP tests by bringing its renowned baggers to the Barcelona circuit. This venture, a product of collaboration with Dorna, ushers in exciting new possibilities for Harley-Davidson and the motorcycle world championship.
The Harley-Davidson bikes, emblematic of American culture and synonymous with the open road and cruising, are poised to transform their image through a distinctive partnership with MotoGP. These substantial machines, often viewed as detached from competitive track performance, made a remarkable appearance during MotoGP testing at the Montmelò circuit. This move signifies a pivotal moment in the American brand’s strategy for international expansion and a key development for MotoGP’s presence in the North American market.
Harley-Davidson’s presence at Montmelò stems from a partnership with Dorna, the MotoGP organizer, which aims to broaden Harley-Davidson’s appeal beyond U.S. borders while bolstering interest in MotoGP within the United States, a crucial market. This collaboration is also timely with the forthcoming investment from Liberty Media (owner of Formula 1) as the majority stakeholder of Dorna in 2025, reinforcing a global vision for MotoGP.
The highlight of this partnership was the demonstration of the Harley Davidson Road Glide, motorcycles from the King of the Baggers category in MotoAmerica. Weighing close to 280 kilograms, these bikes impressed with their performance capabilities.
Full lap around a slick Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit — @harleydavidson
pic.twitter.com/bcqD2oZSCk— Kyle Wyman (@KyleWyman)
November 21, 2024
These Harley-Davidsons are only 20 seconds slower than a MotoGP bike and 9 seconds behind a Moto3
Clocking a lap time of 1’54 seconds at the Montmelò circuit, these bikes are just 20 seconds off the pace of a MotoGP motorcycle and 9 seconds behind a Moto3, showcasing impressive performance for machines built primarily for road use.
Rider Kyle Wyman of Harley-Davidson Factory Racing demonstrated the bikes’ capabilities, achieving knee-down lean angles, precise cornering, and a top speed of 275 km/h thanks to their twin-cylinder engines generating nearly 180 horsepower.
Renowned riders such as Marco Melandri, Randy Mamola, James Rispoli,
Simon Crafar, and John Hopkins also had the chance to experience these baggers. Melandri praised their power and torque, describing his experience as “fascinating yet intimidating” due to the weight and unconventional ergonomics of these bikes. “The engine is a cannon; the torque reminded me of a Honda V5 engine,” he remarked on
speedweek, appreciating the absence of electronic aids that made riding even more thrilling.
Established in 2020, the King of the Baggers category has quickly gained popularity in the MotoAmerica series. In 2023, it made its first international appearance at the Grand Prix of the Americas, setting the stage for a potential inclusion in the MotoGP schedule. Although nothing is confirmed yet, Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz has expressed a desire to elevate this competition to a global stage.
Through this collaboration, Harley-Davidson and MotoGP are laying the groundwork for a partnership that could redefine motorcycle racing perceptions. By merging the raw strength of baggers with the skills of MotoGP riders, this venture promises to engage a broader audience while bridging the worlds of racing and touring motorcycles. One thing is certain: Harley-Davidson is just getting started in terms of surprises.
