Kenneth Leroy Roberts (born (1951-12-31)December 31, 1951 in Modesto, California) is an American former professional motorcycle racer and racing team owner. In 1978, he became the first American to win a Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championship. He was also a two-time winner of the A.M.A. Grand National Championship. Roberts is one of only four riders in American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) racing history to win the AMA Grand Slam, representing Grand National wins at a mile, half-mile, short-track, TT Steeplechase and road race events.Roberts left his mark on Grand Prix motorcycle racing as a world championship winning rider, an advocate for increased safety standards in racing, and as a racing team owner and a motorcycle engine and chassis constructor. His dirt track-based riding style changed the way Grand Prix motorcycles were ridden. Roberts' proposal to create a rival motorcycle championship in 1979 broke the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) hegemony and increased the political clout of Grand Prix racers, which subsequently led to improved safety standards and a new era of professionalism in the sport. In 2000, Roberts was named a Grand Prix Legend by the FIM.
Sons Kenny Roberts Jr. and Kurtis Roberts, both of whom race, won their respective championships in 2000: Kenny in 500GP, and Kurtis in AMA Supersport and AMA Formula Xtreme.
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1978 500GP Champion
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1980 500GP Champion
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1979 500GP Champion
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1973 The youngest rider ever who won the AMA Grand National Championship
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Inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998
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Inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1990
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1983 was his last season, which saw an epic battle with new young American Freddie Spencer. Roberts lost by just two points.
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First American to win a 500GP World Championship and the only time it was ever won in a rookie year
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First and only father and son to have won Championships on a international level
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1996 Set up as a racing manufacturer on his own account. He founded the GP Motorsports UK Corporation to build a truly independent GP challenger. Took it upon himself to build and develop a model engine program for use by World 500GP teams. In 1997, Roberts partnered with Malaysian motorcycle manufacturer Modenas, and created his own GP machine the Modenas KR3 and the current Proton KR V5
$800,000
