Cycle News Staff | November 20, 2024
Harley-Davidson enjoyed a historic moment in its 100-plus years of racing history—the first test of the Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide in conjunction with Dorna and MotoGP that took place on Monday, November 18, at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Harley-Davidson held the first Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide test in conjunction with Dorna and MotoGP at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. John Hopkins (pictured) was one of several notables who took part. Photos: Andrea Wilson
“Racing is a core pillar of the Harley-Davidson brand, showcasing our commitment to performance and innovation,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President, and CEO of Harley-Davidson. “Partnering with Dorna/MotoGP, we aim to expand our racing footprint globally, fueling the passions of our customers and fans. This MotoGP test is a pivotal first step in realizing these ambitions and demonstrating our dedication to racing excellence.”
Randy Mamola spun a few laps on the Bagger.
“Harley-Davidson is an iconic brand, and we are always interested in ways to partner with them to attract more fans to MotoGP, the most exciting sport on Earth,” said Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports.
Harley-Davidson Factory Racing rider Kyle Wyman rode his factory team racing motorcycle alongside John Hopkins, Marco Melandri and Simon Crafar, who ran laps on board a race-spec Road Glide.
Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz and Dorna representatives were onsite at the test and will hold a media briefing about the future global aspirations of Harley-Davidson racing. CN
Kyle Wyman shows James Rispoli the fun way to corner a factory bagger around the corners.
UPDATE November 20, 2024
Harley-Davidson issued the following press release recapping the event:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON FACTORY RACING TESTS AT BARCELONA-CATALUNYA AFTER MOTOGP
Kyle Wyman, James Rispoli, and Special Guest Riders Demonstrate the Performance of Race-Prepared Road Glide Motorcycles
(L to R) Randy Mamola, James Rispoli, Marco Melandri, Kyle Wyman John Hopkins and Simon Crafar. Photo: MotoGP
Milwaukee, WI (November 20, 2024) – Harley-Davidson Factory Racing put the thundering performance of its race-prepared 2024 Road Glide motorcycle on display in a test conducted in conjunction with Dorna and MotoGP at Circuit of Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmeló, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Grand Prix motorcycle racing is the premier class of motorcycle road racing events held on road circuits sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). MotoGP is one of the most exciting motorsport championships in the world. The race was moved to Barcelona after the disastrous flooding in the Valencia region. Harley-Davidson donated a Road Glide motorcycle to be auctioned off for MotoGP’s relief efforts.
(L to R) Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President, and CEO of Harley-Davidson with Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of DORNA Sports. Credit MotoGP
The test was the first European track appearance of the Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide motorcycle that is raced in the U.S. Harley-Davidson Factory Racing riders Kyle Wyman and James Rispoli piloted their bikes on Monday following the MotoGP race on the 4.657 km (2.894 mi) 16-turn circuit. Additional guest riders included former MotoGP and World Superbike pilots, Simon Crafar, John Hopkins, Randy Mamola, and Marco Melandri.
“Racing is a core pillar of the Harley-Davidson brand, showcasing our commitment to performance and innovation,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO, of Harley-Davidson. “Partnering with Dorna/MotoGP, we aim to expand our racing footprint globally, fueling the passions of our customers and fans. This MotoGP Test is a pivotal step in realizing these ambitions and demonstrating our dedication to racing excellence.”
“We were riding alongside our heroes, and were able to share our body of work with people we respect so much,” said Wyman. “These are special moments, and memories I’ll not soon forget. I want to thank Dorna, Harley-Davidson and all of the staff who worked tirelessly to put on this event in the most challenging circumstances of recent events.”
Rispoli added, “What an amazing day for Harley-Davidson. To be on track at the same weekend as MotoGP was incredible. And to share this project with some legends of the sport was unreal. Their reactions after riding our bikes were priceless.”
While overcast and cool conditions prevented outright lap time attacks, Wyman and Rispoli reached measured top speeds of over 171 mph (275kph) on the fastest sector of the track.
After Wyman and Rispoli warmed up the Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glides, Crafar, Hopkins, Mamola, and Melandri each took sessions on the bikes and were impressed with the power and performance of the bagger racing motorcycles.
Photo: MotoGP
- Simon Crafar: “I was just enjoying it, and trying to figure out how it works. It’s so different. It takes a lot to get your head around it. The engine is just amazing, and I really like the sound. The engine is so good. It’s unreal, and I want one as a street bike.”
- John Hopkins: “Man, that was so fun. It was so good. Just getting the feeling of it. I was riding tight. But it handles so good. It’s so wild.”
- Randy Mamola: “The torque is amazing, and the smoothness. This is why I’ve loved motorcycles since I was 12 years old. It’s a motorcycle. And it’s a freaking race bike. Everything is so sweet about the bike. Everything is in the right place. It stops really well. The transmission is insane, and it’s smooth. She’s just a big [bike].”
- Marco Melandri: “My laps were better and better as we go. Once I tested the lean angle, I feel much better. It’s not so heavy, and not so big when you ride it. And the engine and the torque is amazing.”
Photo: MotoGP
The Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide competes in the U.S. in the Mission Foods King Of The Baggers series, which offers exciting road-course competition between American V-Twin touring motorcycles prepared for competition and equipped with a fairing/windscreen and saddlebags. For the 18-race season, Wyman won six races and finished on the podium fourteen times.
Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide racing motorcycles utilize a stock frame and engine cases. Weight is reduced to approximately 620 pounds (281kg) through the use of carbon fiber bodywork and lightweight components. The motorcycles are powered by modified Screamin’ Eagle Milwaukee-Eight 131 Performance Crate Engines. The team bikes also feature upgraded suspension components, including Screamin’ Eagle/Öhlins Remote Reservoir Rear Shocks, plus competition intake and exhaust and Dunlop race tires.
Harley-Davidson Factory Racing is partnered with Mission Foods, Rockford Fosgate, Brembo, Öhlins, Akrapovic, Protolabs, SYN3 lubricants, and Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts and Accessories.
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