Robbie Knievel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robbie Knievel
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Knievel performing a wheelie at Texas Motor Speedway in 2008
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Robert Edward Knievel II
May 7, 1962 Butte, Montana, U.S.
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| Died | January 13, 2023 (aged 60) Reno, Nevada, U.S.
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| Resting place | Mountainview Cemetery, Butte, Montana, U.S. |
| Occupation | Stunt performer |
| Known for | Motorcycle jumping |
| Children | 3 |
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Robert Edward Knievel II (born May 7, 1962 – died January 13, 2023), known to many as Robbie Knievel, was a famous American stunt performer. He was well-known for his amazing motorcycle jumps. Robbie followed in the footsteps of his legendary father, Evel Knievel, performing many daring stunts. His last big jump was in 2011. He passed away in 2023 at 60 years old.
Contents
About Robbie Knievel
Early Life and First Jumps
Robbie Knievel was born on May 7, 1962, in Butte, Montana. His father was the famous stuntman, Evel Knievel. Robbie was one of four children. He started jumping his bicycle when he was just four years old. By age seven, he was already riding motorcycles.
Robbie performed his first show with his father at Madison Square Garden when he was eight. When he was twelve, he toured with his dad. During these tours, Robbie would perform stunts before his father's main jumps. He went to high school in Butte, Montana, but did not finish. Robbie wanted to make his jumps longer and more challenging. His father eventually agreed, and Robbie began his solo stunt career.
Following in His Father's Footsteps
Robbie Knievel's stunt career was different from his father's in some ways. Robbie often used Honda CR500 motocross bikes for his jumps. His father, Evel Knievel, usually used a heavier Harley-Davidson XR-750 motorcycle. Motocross bikes are designed for off-road racing, while flat-track racing motorcycles are for smoother tracks.
Robbie often tried to repeat his father's famous jumps. This included the difficult Caesars Palace fountains jump. However, Robbie did not attempt two of his father's biggest stunts. These were a jump using the Harley-Davidson XR-750 and the Snake River Canyon jump with the Skycycle X-2. Robbie once said he wanted to jump over 16 buses using a Harley. This would have been three more buses than his father jumped at Wembley Stadium in 1975. He also mentioned wanting to try his father's rocket jump over the Snake River Canyon.
His Special Jumpsuits
Robbie Knievel wore special V-shaped jumpsuits. These were red, white, and blue, much like his father's famous white leather suit. Over his career, Robbie had a few different jumpsuit styles:
- As a teenager, he wore a white suit with a red V and white stars.
- For most of his professional career, he used a white suit with a blue V, white stars, and a cape.
- In 2009, he wore a black suit with a white V and blue stars for a jump in Las Vegas.
He also had another black suit with a white V and red stars for photos, but he never jumped in it.
Amazing Motorcycle Jumps
Robbie Knievel completed over 340 motorcycle jumps. He set 20 world records during his career. Many of his most exciting jumps were shown live on television.
Famous Televised Jumps
- Caesars Palace Fountains Jump (April 14, 1989): Robbie jumped the famous fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. His father, Evel Knievel, had tried this jump in 1967 but crashed. Robbie landed safely, becoming the first person to successfully complete this difficult stunt. He said, "that was for you, Dad."
- Daredevil Duel (July 10, 1993): Robbie competed against British stuntman Eddie Kidd in Mississippi. They each made three jumps. Eddie Kidd won the overall competition. However, Robbie set a new American Motorcycle Association record for a single jump, clearing 223 feet (about 68 meters).
- 30 Limousines Jump (February 24, 1998): At the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas, Robbie jumped over 30 limousines. He cleared an amazing 231 feet (about 70 meters). His father was there to support him.
- Building-to-Building Jump (February 4, 1999): Robbie jumped a 130-foot (about 40 meters) gap between two 13-story buildings in Las Vegas. To stop safely, he intentionally crashed his motorcycle into bales of hay on the second building.
- Grand Canyon Jump (May 20, 1999): This was one of Robbie's most famous jumps. He jumped 228 feet (about 69 meters) over a part of the Grand Canyon. He broke his leg when he landed. Bad weather had caused the jump to be delayed for three weeks.
- Train Jump (February 23, 2000): In Palestine, Texas, Robbie jumped over a moving train. He approached the ramp at 80 miles per hour (about 129 km/h) as the train moved at 30 miles per hour (about 48 km/h). He landed safely.
- USS Intrepid Jump (July 30, 2004): Robbie jumped over five military airplanes on the deck of the USS Intrepid in New York City. This jump helped promote a TV movie about his father, Evel Knievel.
- Mirage Hotel Jump (December 31, 2008): On New Year's Eve, Robbie performed a jump in front of the volcano at The Mirage hotel in Las Vegas. He jumped about 200 feet (about 61 meters) from one ramp to another, with fireworks lighting up the background.
Other Incredible Stunts
Robbie Knievel performed many other amazing jumps throughout his career:
- In 1996, he jumped over ten limousines on the Las Vegas Strip, setting a record of 230 feet (about 70 meters).
- He jumped over 15 trucks at the Chinook Winds Casino in 2003.
- In 2006, Robbie jumped 180 feet (about 55 meters) over the St. Johns River in Florida, going from one floating platform to another.
- Later in 2006, he honored his father at Evel Knievel Day in Butte, Montana, by jumping over a fireworks display.
- In 2007, he jumped over military vehicles in North Carolina. He also appeared in a TV commercial for Holiday Inn Express.
- He jumped over fake money in Delaware in 2007, representing money paid to customers of ING Direct.
- In August 2007, Robbie was added to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Sturgis, South Dakota. He also performed a jump there.
- On May 24, 2008, Robbie successfully jumped over 24 truck cabs at Kings Island Amusement Park in Ohio. This was 33 years after his father jumped over 14 buses at the same park.
- On June 7, 2008, at the Texas Motor Speedway, Robbie jumped over 21 Hummer vehicles. He had planned to jump 25, but strong winds made it too risky.
- Even after dislocating his shoulder in August 2008 during a practice, Robbie still performed a jump. He cleared four small airplanes and a helicopter.
- In October 2008, he did two jumps in Nashville, Tennessee, to promote a special glow-in-the-dark paint.
- His last recorded jump was on October 29, 2011, in Coachella, California. He jumped 150 feet (about 46 meters) over semi-trailer trucks.
Beyond Jumping
On Television
Robbie Knievel also appeared on television. In 2005, he starred in the TV series Knievel's Wild Ride on the A&E network. He also had guest roles on shows like CHiPs and Hawaii Five-O. He even worked with actor Lee Majors on a TV show pilot called Hollywood Stunts. In 2017, a documentary film was made about his life, titled Chasing Evel: The Robbie Knievel Story.
His Own Business
In 2006, Robbie Knievel started his own business. It was called Knievel's Custom Cycles. This shop was located in Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey.
Personal Life
Robbie Knievel had three daughters named Krysten, Karmen, and Maria. He was also a grandfather to two grandchildren, Analise and Kane. Robbie passed away on January 13, 2023, in Reno, Nevada, at the age of 60.
See also
In Spanish: Robbie Knievel para niños
