Guide to Ripping a Track on Your Cruiser or Bagger
If you're anything like me, you're not interested in putting along at the speed limit. You ride to rip. Fast in the straights, hard in the corners, full send every time you throw a leg over.
Problem is—riding like that on the street is risky as hell… and not exactly legal.
But that need for speed? It doesn’t go away just because the law says “slow down.”
So we ride hard.
We push limits.
And we always want more.
Then one day, the game changed—Super Hooligan racing hit the scene in 2019, and King of the Baggers dropped in 2020. Seeing guys tear up legit race tracks on Road Glides and Pan Americas? That lit a fire under my ass. I thought, “Hell yes. I can do that. I HAVE to do that.”
And eventually—I did. I took my custom Street Glide ST to the track, and let me tell you: it was a f*ing blast**.
Now I’m gonna break down:
Why YOU should take your big-twin beast to the track
What to expect
And how to do it the right way
Why You Should Take Your Bagger to the Track
It’s Way Safer Than the Street
No cops. No deer. No gravel. No distracted drivers drifting into your lane.
Instead, you've got:
Corner workers waving flags to alert you of any hazards
Medical crews on standby
A controlled environment built for speed
And most importantly—proper gear that’ll save your ass if things go sideways
I’ve seen riders slam the pavement at 100+ and walk away because they were geared up in full leathers, gloves, boots, helmet, and even airbag vests. Try pulling that off on a twisty backroad with a half-shell and denim jacket.
It’s Stupid Fun
Track days are an absolute adrenaline dump. If you’ve never been, get ready to feel like a kid again. You’ll:
Hit corners harder than ever before
Learn what your bike (and you) are truly capable of
And probably come away with a massive grin and some new friends
And yeah, you’ll probably be the only bagger in the pit surrounded by sport bikes. Who cares? That’s the beauty of it—you’re breaking stereotypes and turning heads.
You’ll Learn A TON
Want to become a better rider? Get your ass on a track.
You’ll learn:
How to find the apex
How to brake and downshift without upsetting the bike
How to move your body for max stability
Trail braking, throttle control, body position, and more
Even if you’ve got years of street miles, track riding is a whole different world. And that rookie mindset? It’s refreshing as hell. It’ll reignite your hunger to improve.
We laid out the steps here — but want to actually see what it’s like to rip a bagger on a racetrack?
Check out our full-length video from Champ School on YouTube
How I Did It – The Steel Rippers Way
I didn’t just want to hit the track—I wanted to be taught how to ride like a champ. After some research, one name kept popping up:
Yamaha Champions Riding School (YCRS) aka Champ School
Why Champ School Rocks
The Instructors Are Actual MotoAmerica Racers
Guys like Cody Wyman (Super Hooligan) and Kyle Wyman (King of the Baggers)—yeah, the same dudes you see dragging Harleys around race tracks on TV—are instructors.
And they’re not just racers—they’re excellent teachers, totally down-to-earth, and 100% invested in your progress.
Every single instructor I had was not only a competitive racer—they were MotoAmerica winners. You’re learning from the best, plain and simple.
It Was Local and Baggers Were Welcome
Champ School hosts classes all over the country. I found one just three hours from home. They were totally cool with me showing up on my Street Glide ST.
Yes, I was the only bagger there.
No, I didn’t give a damn.
Neither did they.
It was all about riding like a champion—not what kind of bike you showed up on.
No Speed Limits. Just Real Riding.
The 2-day Champ School gives you:
Full track access
Unlimited speed (within safety limits)
Lead/follow sessions with pro racers
Classroom time to break down the why behind the ride
It’s the closest you’ll ever get to racing without actually racing.
What You’ll Need
One-piece leather suit (rent or bring your own)
Full-face helmet
Race boots and gloves (rent or bring your own)
Optional: airbag vest (if you have one)
Champ School makes safety the top priority. Gear up like a pro, because you’re gonna ride like one.
Pro Tips for Bagger Riders Going Trackside
Pick the 2-day course, not the 1-day “Street” version. It’s more expensive, but trust me—you want the full experience.
Be an experienced street rider before jumping in. If you just got your license, give it time. This is high-level stuff.
Bring your A-game but leave your ego. You’ll be learning, not showing off. The payoff is massive if you stay coachable.
Final Thoughts
Taking a cruiser or bagger to the track might sound crazy—until you do it. Then you’ll realize it’s one of the best riding experiences you’ll ever have.
You’ll learn. You’ll grow. You’ll push limits in a safe, supportive, high-performance environment.
So if your throttle hand is always twitching, and you want to test your skills without testing your luck on the street...
Get your bike to the track. You won’t regret it.
See you in the pit.
Fast as Hell. Hard to Kill.
– “Bagger” Shawn