Is this one of the ugliest new bikes in decades?

[bpw]

The rule book for this class must be bonkers, I don't envy whoever was put in charge of writing it.

 

[HadesOmega]

Kind of reminds me of voltron

 

[motomania2007]

The idea of a bagger class as an exposition class sounded great to me IF they raced bikes that were 99% stock - minimal upgrades to suspension valving and springs and brakes but everything else stock, including ride height and stock weight...

Trying to make behemoths like that carry speed around a roadraced track would be fun to watch.

Extensive modifications undermines the entire idea/concept.

 

[berth]

Trying to make behemoths like that carry speed around a roadraced track would be fun to watch.

Truly I think it would be unsafe. Maybe I simply underestimate what the bikes can do. We've always heard how much better the bikes are than the riders, that the bikes limits tend to exceed the riders.

But, this is a contrived case of folks pushing, IMHO, BAD hardware to limits they weren't designed for.

It's different with cars, if folks want to race Kia Sorrentos around a race track, be my guest.

 

[gixxerjeff]

If it wins on Sunday the stocker will sell on Monday.

I don't think so. I can't see that time tested axiom applying here. They are advertising in one market and trying to sell in another.
This seems like a case of attempting to sell books to people who don't read....and have no intention to.
The 883 class and the boxer cup I understood, this one not so much

 

[mean dad]

Truly I think it would be unsafe. Maybe I simply underestimate what the bikes can do. We've always heard how much better the bikes are than the riders, that the bikes limits tend to exceed the riders.

But, this is a contrived case of folks pushing, IMHO, BAD hardware to limits they weren't designed for.

It's different with cars, if folks want to race Kia Sorrentos around a race track, be my guest.

Some people ride their baggers very fast on public roads, well within the limits of their skill and machine.
Very fast.

I don't see racing a fairly stock bagger on a track any more dangerous than someone riding a much faster machine and making the same mistakes a bagger guy might. Too much lean angle, too much throttle out of a corner, not enough braking, etc.
The limit might be harder to reach on a 'race' bike but there's still a limit.

 

[CDONA]

How much "redneck" will this series contain?
That pix of the Indian didn't have any of the "B" in Bagger on it.
How many beers and #'s of ice in one bag? How many #'s of T-shirts & tools in the other?

Leathers looking like wife beaters and cutoffs, with cowboy boots?

Any points for pegging the noise meter with the stereo?

Bald tires & oil leaks for fun?

Ya have to hit it with THE can, NITRO !

 

[redtail]

Truly I think it would be unsafe. Maybe I simply underestimate what the bikes can do.

With the Indian, you may be under estimating it's capabilities. I've not ridden the Challenger shown by the OP, but I have demoed the Indian Springfield and it handles better than any big V twin cruiser type I've ever ridden. And most reviews of the Indian repeat that opinion. But stock, it's not a road racer.

However, other big V twin manufacturers that I've tried, to remain unnamed, would not be something I'd ever ride at a race track pace.

 

[Lowerside]

The idea of a bagger class as an exposition class sounded great to me IF they raced bikes that were 99% stock - minimal upgrades to suspension valving and springs and brakes but everything else stock, including ride height and stock weight...

Trying to make behemoths like that carry speed around a roadraced track would be fun to watch.

Extensive modifications undermines the entire idea/concept.

Agreed. If anything it would be more interesting and more in tune with the bagger spirit if the only "mods" allowed are stickers, stacking even more luggage, and farkles in general. Let it be a "for-fun" race class where you're not supposed to take it so seriously.

 

[mackdaddy]

Am I the only one that thinks that HUGE fairing around the headlight looks like Dark Helmut from Spacebawlls? What the hell is in there anyway? Two glove boxes, a stereo & speakers & a bunch of empty space?

 

[Lowerside]

They always remind me of my camping headlamp.

 

[motomania2007]

Truly I think it would be unsafe. Maybe I simply underestimate what the bikes can do. We've always heard how much better the bikes are than the riders, that the bikes limits tend to exceed the riders.

But, this is a contrived case of folks pushing, IMHO, BAD hardware to limits they weren't designed for.

It's different with cars, if folks want to race Kia Sorrentos around a race track, be my guest.

I get what you are saying but, I think you misunderstand what I am saying: I would love to see skilled riders push these behemoths sideways around the corners and a skilled rider could do that.

They are NOT serious roadracers in the traditional sense of the word.

It would also help if you kept it for fun and not serious.

 

[firstbuell]

They always remind me of my camping headlamp.

itz pretty close match

mo MA Bagger info here:

https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=541327