MotoAmerica Responds To Harley-Davidson's King Of The Baggers Exit
· Yahoo Sports
MotoAmerica is "actively exploring all available options"
Harley-Davidson's decision to walk away from the Mission King of the Baggers Championship after 2026 has left MotoAmerica scrambling, and the sanctioning body isn't hiding its frustration.
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- Harley-Davidson Quits King of the Baggers To Focus On Bagger World Cup
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In a statement responding to The Motor Company's announcement, MotoAmerica said it shares fans' "disappointment with Harley-Davidson's decision" and pointedly noted the timing: "Receiving this news at such a late stage presents challenges, but we are actively exploring all available options to continue supporting the class."
That's as close as a sanctioning body typically comes to publicly airing a grievance against a factory partner. MotoAmerica credited the rivalry for building the series into "a true performance competition between two unique American manufacturers," and the loss of one of those two leaves an obvious hole heading into 2027.
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Harley confirmed it will end factory support and official team backing after the 2026 season to concentrate resources on the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, its spec class supporting six MotoGP rounds in its inaugural year.
CEO Artie Starrs framed the shift as putting "the fastest Harley-Davidson motorcycles on the biggest stage," with the global MotoGP platform reaching a wider audience than MotoAmerica. Harley says the 2027 World Cup will grow with additional teams, riders, and races, and can "serve as a racing development and demonstration platform" for Screamin' Eagle performance products.
The withdrawal comes off a 2026 season Indian thoroughly dominated. The Vance & Hines Motorsports-built Indian Challenger took 10 of 14 wins, Hayden Gillim set a single-season record with eight victories en route to the title, and the factory team logged a record 24 podiums.
Still, the odd-year/even-year pattern of championships traded between the two marques undercuts any read that Harley is bailing to avoid a beating.
Indian isn't going anywhere. The brand has committed to Gillim and 2024 champion Troy Herfoss for 2027, chasing the first back-to-back KOTB title.
Whether a single-manufacturer grid sustains the series is the open question. Private teams could continue running Road Glides, but MotoAmerica's comment about "actively exploring all available options" may suggest the series may be in jeopardy.
Begin Press Release:
Harley-Davidson To Conclude Factory King Of The Baggers Program After 2026 Season
Following Harley-Davidson's announcement that it will conclude its factory racing participation and official team support in the Mission King Of The Baggers Championship after the 2026 season, MotoAmerica issued the following statement:
"MotoAmerica would like to thank the millions of fans across the United States and around the world who support the Mission King of the Baggers series.
"King Of The Baggers has developed into a true performance competition between two unique American manufacturers. It pushes the boundaries of what these motorcycles can do and showcases a level of performance few could have imagined when the series began. That competition has been a major part of what has made the series so exciting for our fans.
"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.
"We appreciate the passion and support of our fans and participants, and we will share additional news as it becomes available."
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