Harley Is Leaving King of the Baggers: What Changed and What It Means for Touring Riders

What Harley-Davidson announced

Harley is reorganizing its racing into two programs starting in 2027:

• Premier Racing: growing the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, which runs alongside MotoGP, as the company’s “premier racing platform.” H-D says it will add teams, riders and races in 2027.
• Grassroots Racing: “accessible racing opportunities for riders across a range of disciplines and experience levels.”

As part of that change, the factory King of the Baggers program ends after 2026.

“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.”Artie Starrs, President and CEO, Harley-Davidson

Why H-D says it’s doing this

We’re sticking to the reasons Harley gave and not guessing at budgets. H-D describes the Bagger World Cup as a development and demonstration platform for future motorcycles and for race-derived Screamin’ Eagle performance parts. Jeffrey Schuessler, who runs H-D’s global racing programs, said the World Cup’s first season “exceeded our expectations.”

Powersports Business added its own observation: the shift moves Harley toward a series with “no competition from other brands.” That’s their read, not a reason Harley gave.

What it means for King of the Baggers and the teams

The factory team leaves on a high. Harley says it won 3 of the 6 KotB national championships, and Kyle Wyman, with 27 wins, is the most successful rider in the class’s history. Harley took the title in 2021, 2023 and 2025. Indian won in 2022, 2024 and 2026, with Hayden Gillim taking the 2026 crown. In the factory team’s final race, at NJMP, Wyman beat Gillim.

MotoAmerica didn’t hide its frustration:

“We share in your disappointment with Harley-Davidson’s decision. Receiving this news at such a late stage presents challenges, but we are actively exploring all available options to continue supporting the class.”MotoAmerica, via Cycle News

Indian CEO Mike Kennedy said Indian is “disappointed that Harley-Davidson would quit American bagger racing,” and that Indian “remains committed to partnering with MotoAmerica.”

Indian has since confirmed that commitment on the rider side: after Gillim’s 2026 title, the factory program is bringing Gillim and Herfoss back for 2027.

What it means for everyday touring riders

Here’s the plain-sense part. Nothing in the announcement touches the bike in your garage, your warranty or your dealer. This is a change to Harley’s racing program, not to its touring lineup.

Two pieces could reach regular riders over time:

• Performance parts: Harley says what it learned in Factory Racing will “increasingly support” race-derived Screamin’ Eagle and other performance parts. It hasn’t announced specific products.
• Grassroots racing: Starrs pointed to “bragging rights at the local drag strip, the podium at a flat track, or a dealership challenge.” Details haven’t been released.

Bagger racing has been great for showing what a heavy touring bike can do. Most of us, though, spend our miles on the highway, often two-up with a Tour Pak and full bags. That’s a different job, and it asks different things of a bike.

Bringing race-level control to real miles

If KotB showed anything, it’s how much rear suspension control matters on a heavy bagger. On the street, you don’t need a race setup. You need suspension that’s built around your weight and load, and that you can adjust when the load or pace changes.

That’s where Super Shox RR1 fits. Super Shox started out as a racing suspension company, and RR1 is the race-derived top of their touring line. To be clear, RR1 isn’t a King of the Baggers part and has no connection to Harley-Davidson’s race program. What it offers on the road:

• Adjustable compression damping: dual 8-position compression adjusters give a wider external range than SR1 or SR2. The remote adjusters sit near the passenger footpeg, so you don’t have to pull the saddlebags to make a change.
• Built to your rider profile: each set is configured for your weight, passenger use, normal luggage load, bike setup and riding style.
• Long Travel (LT) option: LT keeps stock ride height while adding usable travel.
• Made in the USA: hand-assembled, dyno tested and inspected before it ships.
• Fitment: listed for Road Glide (2002–present) and Street Glide (2006–present).

Here’s the honest version. For most two-wheel touring riders, SR2 LT is where we start. Pick RR1 when you specifically want convenient external compression adjustment and you’ll actually use it, say for switching between solo and two-up or between smooth interstate and broken back roads.

Pick your bike → recommended shock

Ready to choose? Pick your bike.

Street GlideSR2 LT · $895Road GlideSR2 LT · $895Road Glide Ltd / CVO 2020+SR2 LT · $895Road KingSR2 LT · $895Ultra / Electra GlideSR2 LT · $895Trike / SG3 / RG3SR1 Premier · from $745

Race-derived RR1 with adjustable damping: RR1 Street Glide $1,450 • RR1 Road Glide $1,450

Built to your weight, ships in 3–9 business days • Free shipping • 30-day returns • Limited lifetime warranty • Made in USA

Wondering if RR1 is worth it over SR2 for how you ride? Tell us your bike and load.

Ask a Rider or text a rider: 224-326-0988

The bottom line

The factory Harley team is done in King of the Baggers after 2026, and Harley’s own Bagger World Cup is growing. KotB is on MotoAmerica’s 2027 calendar for at least Daytona and Road America, with Indian returning Gillim and Herfoss. What the full season looks like, and whether Harleys stay on the grid through independent teams, is still settling. We’ll update this post as MotoAmerica and Harley share more.

Racing makes for great Sunday TV. Your Monday commute and your next two-up trip are a different job. If you’re thinking about adjustable suspension, tell us what you ride, what you carry and how you ride it. We’ll help you figure out whether RR1 makes sense or whether SR2 already covers what you need. Talk to us or see the RR1 Race Series.