Harley-Davidson was in Catalunya after the MotoGP
Following the MotoGP, Harley-Davidson Factory Racing will be testing in Barcelona-Catalunya.
Kyle Wyman, James Rispoli and other riders demonstrate the performance of the H-D Road Glide race bikes
FRANKFURT (21.11.2024) - With test runs on the race track, the Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team impressively demonstrated on November 18 what 2024er Road Glide racing bikes are capable of. The race test was carried out in cooperation with MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports and MotoGP at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmeló, north of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain.
The MotoGP is regarded as the premier class of motorcycle road racing, is one of the most exciting motorsport championships in the world and is held on race tracks that are legitimized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). Due to the severe weather catastrophe in the Valencia region, the season finale was moved to Barcelona. Harley-Davidson donated a Road Glide, which will be auctioned off for the benefit of MotoGP flood relief.
Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team
Barcelona-Catalunya was the first time that US Factory Racing Road Glides were seen on a European race track. Kyle Wyman and James Rispoli from the Factory Race Team piloted the racing bikes around the 4.657 km circuit with its 16 bends. In addition to them, former MotoGP and World Superbike riders Simon Crafar, John Hopkins, Randy Mamola and Marco Melandri also took to the handlebars.
„Racing is one of the most important pillars of the Harley-Davidson brand and underlines our enthusiasm for performance and innovation,“ explains Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and chief executive officer from Harley-Davidson. „By partnering with Dorna Sports and MotoGP, we want to expand our racing presence worldwide and intensify the passion of our customers and fans. This MotoGP test is a crucial step in realizing our ambitions and demonstrates our commitment to racing excellence.“
„We drove side by side with our heroes and were able to share our job with people for whom we have the greatest respect,“ confesses Wyman. „These are very special moments that I will never forget. My thanks go to Dorna Sports, Harley-Davidson and everyone who has worked tirelessly to organize this event under the difficult circumstances of recent times.“
„An amazing day for Harley-Davidson,“ adds Rispoli. „To be on this track immediately after the MotoGP and also to share this project with some legends of the sport was incredible. Their feedback after riding our bikes was priceless.“
Despite the cloudy and cool weather conditions, Kyle Wyman and James Rispoli reached top speeds of over 275 km/h on the fast sections of the track. After the factory riders, Simon Crafar, John Hopkins, Randy Mamola and Marco Melandri took to the Catalunya asphalt and were impressed by the power and performance of the H-D Racing Bagger.
- Crafar: „I just enjoyed this test and tried to find out how it works best. Because it's so different and you have to familiarize yourself with it first. The engine is just great and I love the sound of it. Fantastic - I really want something like this as a road bike.“
- Hopkins: „Man, that was so much fun, that was so good! I got a feel for it, the handling is so good and the bike is so wild.“
- Mamola: „The torque is incredible. That's the reason why I've loved motorcycles since I was twelve. It's a motorcycle, a damn racing motorcycle. Everything about this bike is beautiful, everything is in the right place. It brakes really well, the gearbox is amazing and it runs smoothly. It's a great bike.“
- Melandri: „I got faster lap after lap. Once I had worked out the lean angles, I was fine. The bike is not that heavy and not that big once you get on it. And the engine and the torque are amazing.“
The King of The Baggers racing series, sponsored by Mission Foods, presents thrilling battles on US race tracks between American V-twin tourers prepared for competition purposes with panniers and fairings or windshields. Kyle Wyman won six of the 18 races last season and finished on the podium 14 times.
Die Road Glide Rennmaschinen des H-D Factory Race Teams verfügen über serienmäßige Rahmen und Motorgehäuse. Der Einsatz von Kohlefaser- und anderen Leichtbaukomponenten reduziert ihr Gewicht auf etwa 281 kg. Für den Vortrieb sorgen modifizierte Screamin’ Eagle Milwaukee-Eight 131 Performance Crate Motoren. Optimierte Fahrwerkskomponenten wie die Screamin’ Eagle/Öhlins Federbeine mit externen Ausgleichsbehältern übernehmen Federung und Dämpfung. Rennkomponenten sind auch im Einlassbereich sowie den Auspuffanlagen verbaut und die Maschinen rollen auf Dunlop Rennreifen.
Harley-Davidson Factory Racing is a partner of Mission Foods, Rockford Fosgate, Brembo, Öhlins, Akrapovic, Protolabs, SYN3 Lubricants and Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts and Accessories.
TExt & picture credits: Harley-Davidson 2024
