Bagger racing has taken the US by storm. It’s motorcycle competition at its wildest and most spectacular, and it’s coming to Australia.
Harley-Davidsons aren’t traditionally considered road-race bikes these days, but it’s easy to forget a great deal of the company’s development and reputation were forged on the flat tracks and circuits of the US.
Bagger racing – running what looks like full-dress Harleys on road-race circuits – is big news. It’s taken the US by storm and the purpose-built bikes, while they look like they should be on display at a show’n’shine, are race-ready and brutally fast.
Harleys on track
The Australian Bagger Racing League – BRL – is set to kick off in Australia in 2026 thanks to Alpha Performance Engines (A.P.E). The Aussie company specialises in custom and high-performance Harleys, especially in drag racing, so promoting the BRL is an opportunity to combine A.P.E’s passions.
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“We’ll keep our straight-line racing going as well,” said Matt Ford of A.P.E.
“Harley-Davidson has been known for motorsport and racing in lots of different classes over the years, so why not just add to it? While there’s some big-money builds happening for sure, it doesn’t all have to be about how much cash you can drop.
“The series is meant to appeal to all levels of budget and provide a platform where you can build and all-out race bike, or ride your everyday H-D.
“It’s an affordable racing opportunity for anybody that has already built a bike, or wants to look at building a bike, to get out there on the track and enjoy it.”
To give Australia’s motorcycle racing fans a taste of what’s to come, A.P.E ran a showcase day at Queensland Raceway. Basically, anyone with a Harley and the necessary riding gear could sign on and spend a day thumping around a certified road-race circuit to see how it felt. The Tradie went along for a taste of the action.
Feeling the heat
A.P.E had its own incredibly beautiful Road Glide bagger and pro rider, Jake Masters, on hand at Queensland Raceway. The idea was to continue development of the bike and to give other Harley riders and spectators an inkling of what to expect.
More than 20 Harleys took to the track, some of them beautifully presented hard-core race bikes. Others looked like they’d ridden straight off the road to freedom, complete with footplates, taped-up lights and rego plates, but all had the look and feel only a Harley-Davidson can offer.
The A.P.E bike was a standout. Just looking at it could leave the onlooker overawed. It was huge, tall, and when the crew started the motor it felt like someone beating on the bowels with a pair of axe handles.
Pro racer Jake handled it like it was a kid’s minibike.
Limits and no limits
Matt from A.P.E said the company’s thrilled be bringing the BRL to Australia, and at this stage the plan is to run two classes: Super Street Bagger and American Twins Unlimited.
The Super Street Baggers are all about raw power, precision and handling, combining aggressive styling with cutting-edge engineering. Performance will meet design in a street-ready package, and riders will compete on custom baggers built for speed, manoeuvrability, and endurance.
The American Twins Unlimited class will allow maximum engine displacement and
virtually unlimited modifications. It’ll be all about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with American twin-cylinder engines, and competitors will ride seriously customised Harleys engineered for speed and performance.
The spectacle
When the Harleys rolled out onto the track the grumble of the big V-twins had the pit wall and spectator areas crowded. The sound and look of the big American bikes had everyone transfixed.
There were no wafer-thin riders folded up on bikes tuned in wind tunnels. These were big, balls-and-all, heart-on-the-sleeve muscle bikes proud of their brawn, and there were some very fast riders cutting serious lap times.
Two or three riding past in a group with the throttles open had the pit wall trembling .There’s no doubt about it: bagger racing is spectacular. Australians are going to love it.
Stay in touch
At the time of writing the competition dates hadn’t been announced, but the A.P.E folks have another showcase day at Victoria’s Phillip Island planned.