King of the Baggers Race Preview
SlyFox’s Alex Fox didn’t go out and purchase a bike for this competition. Instead, he’s customizing his already-customized 2017 Harley-Davidson Road Glide that already has a 124 cubic-inch engine with approximately 140 horsepower.
He’s installed Legend’s suspension and lighter wheels, and Fox is hoping to secure famed racer Danny Eslick to pilot the bike. In the United States, Eslick has won the AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike Championship in 2009 and 2011, the Harley-Davidson XR1200 Series in 2010 and the Daytona 200 race in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018.
“Once I hopefully get him on the bike, we will figure seating and handlebar positions,” Fox said. “Because I think a lot of things will need to be changed once we can actually get it on the track.”
While he said he is not going crazy with the build unlike some of the other competitors he sees on social media and sharing tips behind the scenes, he wants the bike to look relatively stock and easy to recreate. He is trying to slash 150 pounds from it with a target weight of 700 pounds. This will involve using the many carbon fiber components he has, gutting all the stereo and audio stuff in the head unit, and doing little things like using titanium fasters throughout.
Fox’s father was a racer, which is why he chose the #9 plate … to pay his respects.
“I really hope this race is a success because I want to see more rounds. Personally, I would like to see it at Indy because my father used to race there,” Fox said. “He passed away when I was 10, so I run his number. It is a real and special thing, and I try to tie him into the bike as much as I can.”
With the rise of performance baggers circa 2015, Fox believes this race represents the peak of the current trend.
“I think it will be a race that people are more interested to watch than regular races. It is spot-on with the current trends,” he said.
