MotoAmerica reacts to Harley-Davidson’s sudden KOTB exit

MotoAmerica has responded to Harley-Davidson’s decision to drop its factory racing programme from the King of the Bagger series, after the American motorcycle brand confirmed its decision to focus on the Bagger World Cup for 2027.

Harley, along with Indian Motorcycle, was responsible for introducing bagger-style racing to the world through the KOTB series in 2021. 

Since KOTB became a full-time series six years ago, Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle have shared three championship wins each. 

However, Harley’s factory effort has now been dropped ahead of 2027, as has its official support within the series.

This is because Harley is set to focus its racing efforts on the new Bagger World Cup, which unlike KOTB, only features Harley-Davidson Road Glide machines. 

As part of a press release, Technical Director and Team Principal of Harley-Davidson Factory Racing, Jason Kehl, made reference of MotoAmerica and thanked the championship, saying: 

"Thank you to MotoAmerica for their partnership and commitment to King of the Baggers. Without their support, and the exciting racing in the series, we would not have the success we achieved. 

“I also want to recognise Indian Motorcycle Racing for their fierce competition in each of the six seasons. Having a rival that consistently pushed us to raise our level made our team better, helped elevate the entire category, and made the wins much more meaningful. 

“We are extremely proud of what Harley-Davidson Factory Racing, our riders, employees, supported teams and partners have accomplished. That success was built on the commitment and technical capability of an incredible group of people, as well as the support of our fans. The passion of so many Harley-Davidson enthusiasts is a key reason why the bagger category continues to grow."

MotoAmerica has since responded to Harley’s exit, and without truly expressing its frustration, it did admit to being disappointed by both the outcome and timing of the decision.

A statement from MotoAmerica said: 

“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.”

It’s unclear what the KOTB series will look like in 2027, however, we do know that Indian Motorcycle remains committed to the championship.

On the other hand, Harley-Davidson says the FIM Bagger World Cup will continue to grow in 2027 with more teams and riders than 2026.

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