The big bikes will be back this summer. Back at the racetrack, that is—MotoAmerica is running more bagger events this summer, after last fall saw the invitational at Laguna Seca.

When we first heard about the roadracing series’ invite-only event, reaction was divided. A lot of riders thought it was a bad idea, wrestling big V-twins around the Corkscrew. There were some people who thought it at least sounded interesting. You can judge the results for yourself, with the race below. Spoiler alert: Indian cleaned up in the eight-lap event, taking first and third on the only two bikes it entered.

So, MotoAmerica is trying the idea out again, for a five-race series in 2021. This time around, the races aren’t invitationals. As per MotoAmerica’s press release, “the 2021 series will be wide open to all qualified AMA license holders.” MotoAmerica will run the bagger events alongside the superbike series. The series will start at the Road Atlanta race on the first weekend in May, with the final race at Barber Motorsports Park in mid-September. MotoAmerica also plans to take the baggers races to Road America, Laguna Seca and Pittsburgh. Just like the sportbike-based series, the winner of the bagger series will get a champion’s plate at season’s end.

“Honestly, the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers debut race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca went better than we even dreamed of,” said Wayne Rainey, MotoAmerica’s big boss. “The popularity of the event was crazy so how could we not do more? We know there are plenty of Bagger fans out there as our videos of the debut Laguna event were watched by millions. Having five races gives us the opportunity to bring King of the Baggers to fans in several different areas of the country. We’ve also opted to make the series open to any qualified racer, which should bring new teams and new bike builds to the series from the aftermarket and motorcycle dealers who specialize in baggers.”

Hrm. The presser plays up the “Indian versus Harley” storyline, but hopefully all the bagger brands will be able to participate this year. American racing doesn’t need another era of rules prohibiting Euro and Japanese bikes from participating or winning.

Interested? If you want to enter on your own big-bore V-twin, check out the technical regs at the MotoAmerica website.

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