Hayden Gillim has a split personality.

One half of Gillim loves the speed and adrenaline of top-class Superbikes, while his other half favors the rising popularity and American bravado of the King of the Baggers class — characterized by an age-old rivalry between Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles.

The professional motorcycle racer will be competing in both of these classes — there are five overall — at this weekend’s MotoAmerica’s Superbike Speedfest at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Most riders feel one class is more than enough, but not Gillim.

And the two couldn’t be more different.

Superbikes are MotoAmerica’s fastest, most advanced two-wheel machines sporting power-to-weight ratio similar to a top-of-the-line Lamborghini supercar. The Harleys and Indians of King of the Baggers, however, resemble the sort of motorcycles that cruise down Highway 1 and weigh twice as much as a Superbike. They draw their name from their wide body, big windshield, and side storage “bags,” which adorn the back end. Don’t be fooled by their looks; Baggers can reach almost 200 miles per hour and have enough horsepower to pop wheelies.

“The Bagger side is more of the free spirit in me,” said Gillim, a Kentucky native. “When all that first started, it was just for fun, but now it’s turned into something pretty big and special for me.

“But Superbikes have always been my focus growing up. Trying to get to the front of the Superbike field is the dream.”

On-track competition at the Speedfest extends beyond Superbikes and Baggers. Five of MotoAmerica’s eight classes will have a total of 11 races from Saturday to Sunday, including a Superbike triple-header. Superbikes are the premier class, followed by middleweight Supersport, lightweight Twins Cup, Super Hooligans, and King of the Baggers.

“You can definitely tell whenever there’s a Bagger event at a race because all of a sudden the parking lot looks a little bit different,” said Gillim with a laugh. “But now it’s starting to blend together. New fans that were brought by Baggers stay for Superbikes and some of the older fans that were there for Superbikes that have now become Bagger fans.”

Fans of the latter aren’t just drawn in by performance, but by entertainment too.

“Baggers is more of a show,” said Gillim. “We put on a bravado and it carries into the racing. Superbikes are more clean cut; you don’t get the in-your-face showboating like on the Baggers.”

Each class, with the exception of Superbikes, will see two races of varying lengths. Up to 25 championship points are awarded to top race finishers.

Gillim, who previously dominated the Baggers class and currently sits in fifth in the standings, will be fighting for similar success on his Honda Superbike.

“I have a Bagger championship,” said Gillim, who stood on top in 2023. “I have yet to be on the podium in a Superbike race. I feel like I still have a lot of things left to prove in the Superbike class.”

Kyle Wyman, however, is in position for his first Baggers title, leading the championship by over 50 points with Harley-Davidson Factory Racing. There will be three more events after this weekend’s race.

“I would have never believed you if you said last winter we’d have a 56-point lead going into (Laguna Seca),” said Wyman, who also used to race both Superbikes and Baggers simultaneously. “We don’t have to be desperate, or do anything crazy. It’s probably my best track on the schedule.”

The Macedon, New York native attributes his Laguna Seca success to synergy between the track’s design and his riding style. He is currently riding a six-race podium streak to start the Baggers season.

“With my experience, the position I’m in is eyes wide open, feet on the ground, just go out there, and do a good job,” said Wyman

Cameron Beaubier isn’t in the same position. The five-time Superbike champ, riding for Tytlers Cycle Racing, is neck-and-neck with current leader Josh Herrin. Beaubier is just eight points behind Herrin entering Laguna Seca.

“Laguna takes a lot out of you and you have to be on point everywhere,” said Beaubier. “There’s not a straightaway where you can relax. You have to be locked in with how much can go wrong, how fast they are, and how on edge you are.”

That level of concentration isn’t new to Beaubier. With 10 victories at Laguna Seca, Beaubier is the track’s winningest Superbike rider, and has already claimed three wins and four podiums this season.

“We got a chance to win at Laguna, but it’s not going to be easy,” said Beaubier. “We’re going to have our hands full, but I think we’re going to be in a pretty good spot.”

Tickets are available at WeatherTechRaceway.com.

Mason Bloom is a Herald correspondent and attends the University of Southern California Annenberg School of Journalism.