ATLANTA, Ga. - The big motorcycle show tour kicks off in less than two

weeks as Atlanta's Cobb Galleria Centre prepares to play host to the kickoff of the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows Nov. 2-4.

"Atlanta has always been a strong market for motorcycles and aftermarket products, a true motorcyclist's paradise," said Tigra Tsujikawa, brand director for the shows. "This year's tour is jam-packed with dozens of new interactive features, exciting shows, accessories, gear and hundreds of new-model motorcycles from all the top manufacturers."

BMW re-joins the tour for all 13 stops as the shows wind their way from East Coast to West Coast and back again over the next four months. BMW is joined by BRP, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Star Motorcycles, Suzuki, Triumph, Yamaha and others, show organizers stated. (The shows are produced by Advanstar Communications, parent of Dealernews.)

The upcoming Atlanta show will feature:

• Pit Stop Challenge presented by GEICO AMA Pro Racing - an interactive simulation of the Daytona 200 Pit Stop, enabling participants to race head-to-head for the fastest rear-wheel pit stop time. Prizes will be given out throughout the weekend, and the fastest Pit Stop Challenge time at the end of the 2012-13 tour will win an all-expense-paid trip to the Daytona 200
• J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Competition - featuring elite-level custom bikes vying for a piece of the $90,000 cash purse prize and a chance to compete in a U.S. championship finale.
• Celebrity appearances by Ricky Carmichael and Ashley Fiolek
• MotoGP Experience - featuring 12 MotoGP-class bikes on a grid carpet, with Umbrella Girls and photo ops for attendees
• The Podium - presenting a variety of presentations for new and experienced riders, including sessions on adventure riding, motorcycle maintenance, increasing bike performance and more. The presentations will include appearances by Kevin Schwantz, Colin Edwards and Erin Bates, along with Nick Ienatsch, Ken Hill and Scott Russell from the Yamaha Champions Riding School
• MotoGP Panel - featuring SX sideline reporter Erin Bates interviewing current and former racers, including Edwards, Schwantz and Russell
• Strider Adventure Zone - inviting children to test-ride a collection of pedal-less Strider bicycles on a race course specially designed with gentle turns, small obstacles and other features
• Rider Protection Project presented by Allstate - an interactive scavenger hunt sending participants to different areas of the show floor to identify missing gear
• Progressive Insurance Road Trip - allowing attendees to hop on a bike next to a virtual "Flo" for a photo op The Atlanta show also will offer a vintage display, a chance to win a Suzuki Hayabusa, and free motorcycle parking and gear check.

The Atlanta Progressive International Motorcycle Show hours are:

• 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2
• 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $6 for children ages 6 to 11. Children 5 and under are admitted free with paying adult.