My very basic understanding of the King of the Baggers rule book is that the bikes must be a V twin of domestic manufacture. That leaves only Harley Davidson and Indian. It is always a two horse race.
Many racing sanctioning bodies permit something like exhibition or experimental or developmental vehicles. Assume almost any motorcycle manufacturer could open a USA factory if they chose to, who would you like to add to the pack?
The Moto Guzzi California was once a nimble 1200 cc v twin bagger.
BMW R1800 is a twin but not a v twin but I wonder how they might stack up. Limiting the class to real touring bikes not sport touring so the BMW K1600 with a I6 engine I would exclude.
Just to be inconsistent I’d love to see a 2025 Honda Goldwing peg dragging in the pack.
I am assuming the Ducati Multistrada, a V twin, can come with bags but I just don’t think it fits the spirit of the class. (445 lbs wet)
Yamaha made the Star and the Warrior. Kawasaki made the Vulcan. Honda made a V twin touring bike. Most sanctioning bodies want mostly late models, not something out of production for 5+ years.
I have no idea what the class rules are as far as legal changes to make a bike race ready.
I think it could be fun to see a Moto Guzzi, Goldwing, or BMW R1800 somewhere in the pack? Even if it was exhibition only.
Many racing sanctioning bodies permit something like exhibition or experimental or developmental vehicles. Assume almost any motorcycle manufacturer could open a USA factory if they chose to, who would you like to add to the pack?
The Moto Guzzi California was once a nimble 1200 cc v twin bagger.
BMW R1800 is a twin but not a v twin but I wonder how they might stack up. Limiting the class to real touring bikes not sport touring so the BMW K1600 with a I6 engine I would exclude.
Just to be inconsistent I’d love to see a 2025 Honda Goldwing peg dragging in the pack.
I am assuming the Ducati Multistrada, a V twin, can come with bags but I just don’t think it fits the spirit of the class. (445 lbs wet)
Yamaha made the Star and the Warrior. Kawasaki made the Vulcan. Honda made a V twin touring bike. Most sanctioning bodies want mostly late models, not something out of production for 5+ years.
I have no idea what the class rules are as far as legal changes to make a bike race ready.
I think it could be fun to see a Moto Guzzi, Goldwing, or BMW R1800 somewhere in the pack? Even if it was exhibition only.
