Harley-Davidson will withdraw its factory racing programme from King of the Baggers before the 2027 season and concentrate its competition efforts on the FIM Bagger World Cup. The change also ends the company’s official support within the King of the Baggers series, creating uncertainty around the championship’s format for next year.

The two programmes follow different formulas. King of the Baggers has featured competition between Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle, while the FIM Bagger World Cup uses Harley-Davidson Road Glide motorcycles exclusively. Harley-Davidson says the World Cup will continue to grow in 2027, with more teams and riders than it had in 2026.

Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle were responsible for bringing bagger-style racing into an organised series in 2021. Since then, the manufacturers have shared six King of the Baggers championships, with three wins apiece. Harley-Davidson’s departure therefore removes one of the two factory competitors that have defined the category’s development and its on-track rivalry.

Jason Kehl, Technical Director and Team Principal of Harley-Davidson Factory Racing, thanked MotoAmerica for its partnership and commitment to King of the Baggers. He said the championship’s support and racing had contributed to the team’s success, and credited Indian Motorcycle Racing’s sustained competition with forcing Harley-Davidson to improve. Kehl also praised the work of the factory team, its riders, employees, supported teams and partners, along with the support of Harley-Davidson fans.

MotoAmerica said it shared the disappointment of fans and participants over Harley-Davidson’s decision. The organisation described King of the Baggers as a performance contest between two American manufacturers and said the series had demonstrated a level of capability that few would have expected when it began. It also acknowledged that receiving the news at such a late stage creates practical challenges, while confirming that it is exploring options to continue supporting the class.

Indian Motorcycle remains committed to the King of the Baggers championship. The immediate question is how the series will be structured in 2027 after the loss of Harley-Davidson’s factory entry and official backing. MotoAmerica says it will provide further news as its plans develop, while Harley-Davidson prepares to expand its Road Glide-based World Cup programme.