‘It’s like two-wheeled NASCAR’: Aussie Troy Herfoss taking US ‘Baggers’ series by storm

‘It’s like two-wheeled NASCAR’. Australian Troy Herfoss shares his surprise and delight at leading the US “Baggers” motorcycle racing series.

When Australian superbike champion Troy Herfoss said he felt like a change, little did he expect to end up racing big Harley-style motorcycles in the United States, much less leading the championship.

Herfoss, 37, has won three and finished second in the first six races in the King of the Baggers series.

It’s a remarkable effort to wrestle a 285+kg motorcycle built for cruising around a track after racing twitchy, high-performance sportsbikes all his career.

The series featuring Harley-Davidson and Indian touring motorcycles began as something as a novelty but is now making some noise among the public.

Australian Troy Herfoss on top of the podium again in King of the Baggers championship in the US. Picture: Brian J. Nelson/MotoAmerica

“Indian and Harley have a true rivalry that goes a long way back. So it feels like a two-wheeled NASCAR for me at the moment,’’ Herfoss told this masthead.

“You’ve got two American muscle brands fighting it out together.

“There’s a lot of fans getting behind it. There’s a lot of excitement about it – it’s bringing in that cruiser demographic who all a sudden have a reason to follow their favourite motorbike at the racetrack. So it’s just a really fresh class to be in.’’

Herfoss has surprised even himself at how he has taken to the 1835cc Indian Challenger machine.

“There’s no electronics so it’s just a really raw bike basically.

“It’s just a lot of fun. I’m one of the older riders in the category and I didn’t grow up with electronics on bikes and these are essentially bikes without electronics and a bucketload of power.’’

Herfoss has won three of the opening six races in the Baggers series. Picture: Brian J. Nelson/MotoAmerica

The Bagger series, now in its fourth year features Harley and Indian twin-cylinder touring motorcycles. The Bagger title comes from an Indian model named because of its side bags which stay attached for the racetrack.

As well as the joys of the bike, Herfoss is relishing the opportunity to race on some of the world’s most famous tracks – Daytona, Laguna Seca and COTA (Circuit of the Americas).

“It’s bucket list stuff for me. I feel privileged to be the guy who’s over racing a factory Indian on these American tracks. It’s a bit of a dream really.’’

Herfoss (No. 17) leads the field in a King of the Baggers race. Picture: Brian J. Nelson/MotoAmerica

“I was sceptical and wasn’t sure if I was making the right decision and then I get there and see just how big this category is and how big the interest is around it.

“I think it’s gonna get a lot bigger.’’

Yet Herfoss admits that on his first outing at Daytona he thought he was “going to die”, not helped by limited time to learn the circuit before the first race (where he finished second).

Herfoss on his Honda superbike in Australia.

“Daytona is as steep as a velodrome, and the corners are so big that it’s just full throttle around the top of the banking and you’re literally against the concrete wall.’’

Herfoss is continuing in ASBK this year with Ducati and is splitting his time between the US and Australian to compete in both series.

He has three Australian Superbike championships to his name after 12 years in the series, the last 10 with Honda.

The Gold Coast rider hopes that this year’s Baggers series – with nine rounds to go – will lead to a 2025 contract and a more permanent move to the US.

Originally published as ‘It’s like two-wheeled NASCAR’: Aussie Troy Herfoss taking US ‘Baggers’ series by storm