After several years in the MotoGP, Bradley Smith went to the US in 2025 to take part in the Mission King of The Baggers series, riding a Harley Davidson of the official team. The English rider finished ninth overall with 115 points against winner Kyle Wyman's 264.
The 35-year-old rider was asked to identify the differences in technical terms regarding his current bike compared to those he was used to in Europe.
"The high torque of our engines is fantastic, and we have no electronics. Everything is controlled with your right wrist. What's scary, however, is the lack of grip on some U.S. circuits. You end up going sideways everywhere, but it's fun," he said in an interview with Speedweek.
So a riding pleasure is assured, but not everything is perfect. "The only downside is the weight. It limits you from suddenly going from a one hundred and sixty kilo MotoGP to a two hundred and eighty kilo bike. We also can't enjoy a front tire made specifically for the category. It was developed for the SBKs, so braking is limited. Anyway, getting the most out of what you have is part of the game," he reflected philosophically.
The challenge related to size will be an added obstacle for those who are going to face the first edition of the Bagger World Cup, a side competition of the MotoGP, inserted as a replacement for the MotoE.
"I couldn't say whether those coming from the world or production championships have the right qualifications to ride these monsters, but that's what makes the new series exciting. There are going to be riders coming from a wide variety of tracks, and the bikes are very versatile," he said.
As mentioned, in 2026, the star-studded machines will burst into the World Championship starting in Austin, home of Harley-Davidson, at the end of March. They'll then continue in Mugello, Assen, Silverstone, Aragon, and the Red Bull Ring. It won't be an easy feat if we take into consideration the characteristics of the tracks on the Old Continent.
"Seeing such big bikes on those tracks is going to be something special. In any case, all the tracks in question have wide, smooth, and fast layouts, so they're suitable. The pace of the bikes is longer than a MotoGP or SBK, consequently, the difficulties come mostly on the narrow sections. I'd love to participate just to race on those tracks, but my priority is MotoAmerica," he finally concluded.