The Rise of Real Street ‘No Bars’ Harley Racing

Harley Davidson “no-bar” racing has deep roots, tracing back to the brand’s early days. From the moment the first two Harley riders tore down dirt roads in a race to town, the spirit of side-by-side, no-bars motorcycle racing was born. While wheelie bars—often mockingly called “sissy sticks” by hardcore racers—became popular in the late 1960s and essential by the 1970s for safety, 2024’s advanced technology has propelled no-bars drag racing to unprecedented heights.

Today’s no-bar Harleys, like those tearing up the XDA and AMRA circuits, boast performance levels that would have once qualified them for Top Fuel competitions. Back in the day, bikes breaking into the 7-second range needed multiple engines and ran on nitromethane. Now, single-engine, self-starting bikes without nitromethane or wheelie bars are hitting those same times, making history in the process.

The allure of no-bar bikes is undeniable. These machines strike a chord with both racers and fans, embodying the spirit of the street. They look like the bikes that enthusiasts ride every day, making it easy for fans to imagine themselves blasting down the track or cruising along I-10 in Texas. Among motorcycle drag racing devotees, no-bars classes—especially bagger racing—are the fastest-growing and most electrifying competitions, drawing in fresh talent and new racers who are the lifeblood of the sport.

Jason Miller, a visionary in drag racing and owner of XDA, saw this trend coming. He reached out to Gregg Dahl of GMS Racing in Uniontown, PA, to see if his GMS-built drag bikes could make waves at XDA events. Jason had been tracking the impressive performance of Gregg’s no-bars Harley Davidson drag bikes, consistently clocking times in the seven-second range. He knew that bringing these beasts into XDA’s Real Street class would ignite fan interest and take the sport to the next level.

Miller’s XDA events are legendary, drawing an average of 600 racers and 4,000 to 5,000 fans per event. Over three dozen manufacturers showcase their latest innovations on the Midway. The fierce rivalry between old-school Harleys and Japanese bikes adds another layer of excitement, echoing the classic Chevy vs. Ford battles in motorsport history.

Gregg Dahl recounts how he got started with XDA: “In late 2020, Jason Miller reached out, noticing that our performance numbers were nearing competitiveness in XDA’s Real Street class. At that time, I felt our race program needed more fine-tuning. But by late 2023, after a strong showing in the AMRA Outlaw Street class finals at Rockingham, Jason called again, and I knew we were ready.”

In May 2024, Gregg’s team shattered the AMRA national record, slashing the time from 7.98 seconds at 169.76 MPH to a blistering 7.664 seconds at 182.26 MPH. Then, in June, Dahl and his teammate Mike Motto took their bikes to Mason Dixon Dragway for testing, with stunning results: Dahl clocked a best of 7.59 seconds, and Motto followed with a 7.76.

That June, Dahl, Motto, and fellow racer Andy Simon—who holds the record for the World’s Quickest and Fastest Harley FLH Bagger—headed to Maryland International Raceway for their first XDA Real Street appearance. It was a tough outing for the trio, with mechanical issues plaguing each rider. Motto’s weekend ended before it even began, Dahl qualified 13th with a 7.964, and Simon snagged the 5th spot with a 7.616. Unfortunately, both Dahl and Simon were knocked out in the first round—Dahl was knocked out due to mechanical problems, and Simon was knocked out after breaking a chain mid-pass.

But these setbacks didn’t dampen their spirits. Motto and Dahl returned for the July Bike Fest, determined to make their mark. With the XDA Real Street record held by Dave Fondon’s 2020 Suzuki GSXR at 7.42 seconds and the MPH record by Dave Stewart’s 2008 Suzuki Hayabusa at 198.47 MPH, the V-Twin bikes had their work cut out for them.

During qualifying, Dahl posted a best time of 7.625 seconds at 181 MPH, securing the ninth spot on the sixteen-bike ladder. Motto qualified 11th with a 7.719 at 176.19 MPH. In eliminations, Dahl faced off against Caleb Holt, who won with a 7.55-second pass to Gregg’s 7.79. Mike Motto red-lighted but still posted a solid 7.81 seconds at 174 MPH. Despite early exits, this is just the beginning for no-bars Harley drag bikes in XDA competition.

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Jason Miller praised the Harleys for the buzz they generated at the WPGC Bike Fest, where their distinct sounds and fierce competition added a fresh layer of excitement.

Jason Miller had this to say about having the big no-bar Harley racing with XDA:

“I have been keeping an eye on the Harleys for quite some time and their continued performance improvements, especially with the no-bar bikes. It was great having them at the WPGC bike fest, one of the biggest all-bike races of the season.”

“Watching the fans run to the bleachers and the fence line when the Real Street class came to the ready line spoke volumes. It’s the different sounds of the bikes that get everyone’s attention.”

“When the racers get it right with the tune-up and they race side-by-side, it’s the diversity that provides the greater interest. It’s extra added excitement when you have distinctly different machines in competition. We hope to see more of them racing with us.”

Mike Motto’s reflections on racing with XDA perfectly encapsulated the experience for his team. He expressed his appreciation, saying, “Jason Miller and the entire XDA organization truly rolled out the red carpet for us at the WPGC Bike Fest. From the moment we arrived, they welcomed us with open arms, making us feel like a vital part of the event. The level of professionalism, the enthusiasm from the fans, and the seamless organization of the event made it an unforgettable experience. It’s clear that XDA is dedicated to fostering a supportive and competitive environment, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of it.”

In commenting on the experience of racing with XDA and in particular at Maryland International Raceway Mike commented, “That was one of the best run and organized races I’ve ever competed in during my 23 years of motorcycle drag racing. That was the best-prepped track Dahl and I have ever run on. I feel, in fact; I know our bikes are competitive.  We are going to improve our numbers and presence with the XDA. We went into this event intending to qualify in the middle of the field. We also set out to go at least one round, we accomplished exactly what we set out to do.”

Both Gregg and Mike agree that this is a momentous occasion for not only their teams, but for Harley Davidson motorcycle drag racing. Especially for the no-bar drag bike community, which is a class of camaraderie. This determined band of brothers, who race balls-out with no wheelie bars, throttles wide open, running in the 7’s at speeds in excess of 180 MPH – they have no fear and a fierce commitment to bring Harley no bars drag racing to a higher level.

Looking ahead, Dahl, Motto, and Simon are eagerly preparing to make their mark at XDA’s highly anticipated FuelTech Bike Bash, scheduled for August 23-25, 2024, at Virginia Motorsports Park. This event is set to be one of the most thrilling races of the season, drawing top competitors from across the country to battle it out on the quarter-mile strip.

For Dahl, Motto, and Simon, the stakes are higher than ever. With their no-bar Harley drag bikes pushing the limits of speed and performance, they are determined to demonstrate the true potential of these machines.

As the teams fine-tune their bikes and prepare for the upcoming showdown, it’s an opportunity to solidify their place in the archives of drag racing history, proving that no-bar Harley drag bikes are a force to be reckoned with on the national stage.

As the countdown to race day begins, the entire drag racing community will be watching closely, ready to witness the next chapter in the exhilarating rise of no-bar Harley Davidson racing.

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