Unleash Your Inner Rebel: David Mann ChopperFest Kansas City 2025 is Here!
Celebrate the Legendary Art & Soul of Choppers with a Can’t-Miss Motorcycle Extravaganza
By Robert Filla
If the name David Mann doesn’t ring a bell, you might’ve missed the gritty, free-spirited pulse of the ‘60s and ‘70s biker culture, immortalized in magazines like Easyriders and Colors. Dubbed the Norman Rockwell of the chopper world, David Mann’s larger-than-life artwork defined the rebellious heart of the chopper lifestyle like no one else.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 10, 1940, Mann kicked off his creative journey sketching hot rods in high school. The call of California soon pulled him west, where he traded four wheels for two and fell hard for choppers. Back in Kansas City, he scored a 1948 Harley Panhead for a steal at $350 and created his first iconic biker piece, Hollywood Run. Mann’s bold, romantic, and slightly exaggerated style became his signature, etching his name into motorcycle history. From designing posters for custom car legend Ed “Big Daddy” Roth to crafting rebellious double-page spreads for Easyriders starting in 1971, Mann’s art graced Playboy, Colors, and more until his passing on September 11, 2004.
For years, ChopperFest has kept Mann’s legacy alive, with Choppers Magazine steering the Ventura, California, show to new heights, delivering the vibe and community love riders crave. But now, they’re cranking it up a notch by bringing the party to Mann’s hometown with the inaugural ChopperFest Kansas City on September 20, 2025.
This ain’t just another bike show—it’s a full-throttle tribute to Mann’s genius. Expect the David Mann & Friends Motorcycle Exhibit, an all-brands antique and custom motorcycle showcase, a custom bike builder display, the David Mann Art Show featuring vintage prints and rare photos, hundreds of bike and moto culture vendors, and a massive parts swap meet. Curious who’s rolling in? Hit up chopperfest.com to check out the lineup of builders and artists ready to make history.
Whether you’re a chopper newbie or a grizzled vet with grease under your nails, ChopperFest Kansas City is the place to be. Mark your calendar in ink, crank up the tunes, and ride out to the Kansas City Stockyards District for a day dripping in metalflake glory.
This is one for the books, brothers and sisters.