A bagger that speeds up must slow down Purchasing the latest crate engine with a massive 135 cubic inch or bigger displacement and achieving dyno numbers upward of 150 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque is a great way to build a monster American V-twin with absolutely ripping horsepower. However, the most potent builds balance horsepower with the handling and bike control needed to slay the racetrack or mountain twisties. And because outright horsepower is only truly accepted in drag ra …

The guide to a controlled and comfortable riding position An excellent handling motorcycle begins with proper fitting  ergonomics and body position, especially for a high-performance American V-Twin bagger. Heaving an 800-plus pound Harley-Davidson or Indian through the twisties or around the racetrack requires a lot of physical exertion. And truthfully, the standard position of these tourers could be more conducive to an efficient and in-command stance needed to control the motor …

Racing drives purposeful design that every enthusiast can benefit from. What started as a wild idea to race Harley-Davidson and Indian V-twin touring platforms at the racetrack has blown up into an industry-wide craze, reaping benefits for the entire bagger community. As the pinnacle of MotoGP pushes the boundaries of what was once possible for consumer-purchasable sportbikes, the highest levels of bagger racing—the MotoAmerica King of the Bagger series and the Bagger Racing League—have followe …

Analyzing every option for V-Twin suspension upgradesFunction comes before form in the search for better handling, increased ground clearance, control, and power. Leave any extra heft or nonsense at the curb and focus solely on performance. It’s about taking these V-twins to the edge of performance and further than they were ever meant to, and passing the sport bikes in the process.Secondary to upgrading your Harley-Davidson or Indian’s rider triangle for more leverage and an attack-style positi …

The most effective ways to decrease your lap time. The high-performance American V-twin scene is quickly making its way to racetracks around the United States and destroying the dreams of sportbike geeks in the process. While the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers and Bagger Racing League may be the pinnacle of American V-twin racing, track days are being increasingly overwhelmed with Harley baggers. That said, it doesn’t take a highly sophisticated and ridiculously expensive race machine t …