Harley Looking For Payback in ‘King of the Baggers’ Series
Kyle and Travis Wyman lead the Harley Davidson Team into 2023.
Harley Davidson will be looking for a little payback this year by regaining its “King of the Baggers” road-racing crown, starting this weekend at Daytona International Speedway.
The Motor Company team won the series crown in 2021, with brothers Kyle and Travis Wyman – the Dynamic Duo – riding Harley baggers, but Indian Motorcycles’ Tyler O’Hara won it last year.
O’Hara won in dramatic fashion, finishing second in the last race of 2022, on Sept. 11, to earn enough points for the win, after Travis Wyman crashed in the rain on the second of seven laps.
Tougher Competition
And now, HD wants it back.
“As other teams get these bikes figured out, I expect the level of competition to be tougher this season,” said Kyle Wyman. “Our Harley team is going to need to be on its game at every race.”
The increasingly popular series has been expanded this year from seven to 14 races over seven double-header weekends. The series is held in conjunction with the MotoAmerica Superbike series.
Souped-Up Baggers
One of the reasons the series is well-liked by motorcycle fans is because the races feature one of the most popular HD families – baggers. The competition pits souped-up American V-twin touring motorcycles complete with windshields and saddlebags against each other.
The Harley team races modified Road Glides with Milwaukee 8 131 crate engines.They decided to stick with that engine despite the fact HD has recently released its 135ci Stage IV motor.
The bikes are also equipped with Screamin’ Eagle/Ohlins suspension, competition exhaust, race tires and lightweight bodywork.
In other words, you couldn’t talk your way into these races with your standard Road Glide, no matter how fast your buddies say you are.
Wyman Brothers Tearing it Up
The Wyman brothers have been very successful in the series. Travis, who owns Travis Wyman Racing in Las Vegas, finished second in points last year, after leading going into the season finale.
The 31-year-old won the Road America race and had three second-place finishes as well. This will be his second full season.
“My consistent finishes last year put me in contention for the title going into the last round,” he said. “With the two-race format, if Saturday does not go well, you get another shot on Sunday rather than waiting for the next race weekend.”
Lap Records to Fall
Brother Kyle, 33, was King of the Baggers champion in 2021, and won the 2019 Daytona 200. He won three King of the Bagger races in 2022, and finished third in the points race.
“I’ve spent much of the off season working with the team to further develop our Road Glide race bikes, and I have a lot of confidence going into 2023,” he said. “We will continue to see lap records fall this season, and everyone on the grid will be quicker.”
VIP Ticket Packages
Harley Davidson is offering fans a 120th Anniversary VIP ticket package. The package includes fan zone and paddock access, all of the MotoAmerica races and all practice sessions.
You also get premium parking for your Harley Davidson motorcycle, and you can even get in the parade laps around the track Friday and Saturday.
Photos: Harley Davidson
