A Twist of the Wrist II: The Basics of High - Performance Motorcycle Riding

by Keith Code

Paperback 3rd edition Vol 2 (July 1997)

Amazon.com Reviews

Reviewer: Michael Clark from Los Angeles, CA, February 28, 2001

The best book by far on motorcycle riding dynamics. I have been riding for over 15 years and have read everything under the sun about it. This book has become my personal Bible on motorcycling and it's the only one I constantly re-read. Code's first couple chapters covering "survival reactions" and how they affect one's riding are some of the most valuable things any rider (street or track) can know. The rest of the book goes very in depth into the dynamics of motorcycle control. This serves to benefit the performance rider more than any other, but it's still useful to even a casual rider. I would still recommend a Motorcycle Safety Course for new riders. This is not meant to teach beginners on the very basics of motorcycling or how to ride in traffic. Yes, the book is poorly written but that's secondary to what it's actually teaching you. You want good writing? Go buy a Tom Clancy novel. You want to become a better, safer motorcycle rider? Get this book and never stop referring to it.

Best Motorcycle Investments: A Rider's and Investor's Guide to Antique, Classic and Used Motorcycles; A 20/20 View Through 2020 A.D.

by Taylor Ford

Paperback 1 Ed edition (October 1999)

Motorcycle Dealer News

"If you're investing...... or even thinking about purchasing a motorcycle, this book covers over 400 with only one thing in mind: What will it be worth when you sell it! No other book comes close......."

Forbes Magazine

"This book should be in every prospective buyer's hand. The author givesover ten ways to calculate investment trends and even lists motorcycles to hold for 5, 10 and 20 years. Great perspective!"

Beasts of Burden: the Motorcycles in Vietnam

by Hans Kemp

160 pages with 148 full color photographs of bikes

"A tribute to the motorcycles and drivers as the backbone of the Vietnamese economy."

To place your order, visit the publisher Visionary World.

Blood, Sweat and 2nd Gear

by Flash Gordon

224 pages (January 1, 2008)

Book Description from Amazon.com:

"What is the best thing to do when the bike goes down and you suffer a bad patch of "road rash?"  How do you prevent infection and minimize scarring?  Answers to these questions and practical advice on many other medical situations motorcyclists encounter, are contained in this new volume from Flash Gordon MD.  As a doctor who rides motorcycles, Gordon combines knowledge gained from many years of medical practice with the straightforward non-nonsense style of a veteran rider.  He has the knack of explaining medical conditions and injuries in plain language that makes sense, and does so in an entertaining and highly informative style."

Challenging Life on a 1948 Triumph: Daisy's Diaries

Book Description from Panther Publishing:

"Give up the day job, buy an old bike and ride off into the sunset – a dream for most but reality for the author as he takes on the Landmark Challenge set by the Triumph Owners Club. But first build the bike, make peace with the family, then just go - meeting life head on. Often hilarious, always interesting this is a book which brings home the joys of classic motorcycling as Daisy, a 1948 Triumph Speed Twin puts in some 5,000 miles to win the Challenge – in spite of mechanical mayhem, fire, and just about everything else that can go wrong with an old bike. The author, armed with little more than a compass from a Christmas cracker, a dysfunctional map and a random selection of the wrong tools sets out to challenge life together with his young family. Great fun, just what classic motorcycling is all about and makes you itch to join him on the road!"

Order from Panther Publishing or from Amazon

Chilton's Motorcycle Handbook

by Kevin M. G. Maher, Ben Greisler

Paperback - 500 pages (September 1998)

Reviewer: Bob from Istanbul, Turkey

This is a "must buy" book for anyone who rides a motorcycle...if you are the kind of person who takes pride in keeping your bike running at its best, then there are chapters on everything from changing your oil to doing your own tune ups. Even if you hate the idea of getting grease under your fingernails there are chapters on the best way to breaking in your new engine. (Something I could not find in my owners manual!) to the best way of keeping your machine looking like new...a wealth of information on planning trips and buying the proper gear...for 30 years, the first purchase I have made after getting a vehicle has been a Chilton manual. My manuals always seem to end up grease stained, dogged eared, and swollen from moisture, but they have always kept me on the road and saved me money...Chilton manuals...are well organized, easy to understand with clear photos and drawings... an extensive troubleshooting section"

Choppers

by Mike Seate

Hardcover (2003)

Ryan McNabb from Ooltewah TN, USA:

"This is a really fun and interesting book. Well written, highly literate, very informative, it gives you the skinny on the real origins of these bikes, their place in motorcyle history, and their place in American history (grudging acceptance, in both cases.) Not just for bike lovers, this book would be appreciated by anyone interested in popular culture after WW2, especially the beat/hippy generations: what really happened at Hollister, CA? What's the story behind "Easy Rider" and its influence? Also, for the riders in the audience, you get lots of interesting insights into the mechanics of these bikes: what is the origin of the Wide Glide fork? How did bobbers get their name? Why did these bikes take on the unique look they did? It ends with a look at custom bikes today, which is sort of mandatory, but not as interesting as what led up to them, in my opinion. Highly recommended."

Rodero Salazar from Detroit, USA:

"Anyone who's a fan of customized motorcycles will dig this color history of choppers! Author Mike Seate, who writes for IronWorks, Easyriders and a few other bike mags, has pretty much nailed the chopper experience from its start to current heyday. From the TV stars like Billy Lane and Jesse James to the old skool builders who hand-built fabricated chopper parts from scratch, Seate's book covers it all in detail. There's some mind-blowing old photos and lots of trick European choppers most US riders have never seen."

City of Ice : A Novel

by John Farrow

Hardcover - 480 pages 1 Ed edition (May 1999)

The New York Times Book Review, Peter Khoury

Rich descriptions of Montreal in winter blend well with the bone-chilling plot...

Amazon.com

"An unusual hero and a fresh, sharply observed Montreal setting add strength to this ambitious but overlong first thriller by John Farrow (the pseudonym of noted Canadian novelist Trevor Ferguson).

The chief protagonist of City of Ice is Emile Cinq-Mars of the Montreal Urban Community Police. He works by himself but is supported by a large network of informants. A new species of criminal seems to be moving into the Montreal crime scene: sophisticated biker gangs, apparently backed by the currently ubiquitous Russian mafia. When serious turf wars develop, an elite task force is formed to combat the gangs. Cinq-Mars is pressed to join, but initially decides to wage his war alone. Then his informants begin to disappear and die, and the biker gangs take on even more dangerous significance. He is forced to reconsider his independent status.

Cinq-Mars has a darkly modern, almost surreal streak. He's the consummate loner, but his life is full of surprises. City of Ice is an impressive debut--but next time let's have 50 pages less. --Dick Adler"

This book has had some good reviews elsewhere as well (Grant)

Classic Bikes

by Peter Henshaw

Paperback (April 1995)

Reviewer: boschnick, from Lewes, Delaware USA

"Peter Henshaw writes about the history of classic bike manufacturers with a style that doesn't give a clue as to how hard it must have been to gather all this history. He has articles and photos covering: Ariel, AJS, BMW, Brough Superior, BSA, Douglas, Ducati, Excelsior U.K., Excelsior U.S.A., Harley Davidson, Henderson, Hesketh, Indian, James, Jawa, Laverda, Matchless, Morini, Moto Guzzi, MV, new Hudson, New Imperial, Norton, NUT, Panther, Royal Enfield, Rudge, Scott, Sunbeam, Triumph, Velocette, and Zenith.

80 pages. 100 full color photographs including some Harleys like the W-series 750cc, a 1923 J model, a 1915 F model and the 500 cc single that I don't remember seeing in the big official Harley book. There are 15 color photos of classic Harleys. The Vincent photos and company history alone justify buying this book.

If I had any complaints it would be that I wanted to see the whole bike in some of the photos instead of the few where they only show the engine section and a little to each side.

I hope Peter Henshaw does some more detailed writing on specific models, or I should say, specific brands of classic bikes. But, here is a pretty good overview of the major players, excepting the Japanese makers of which at one time there were almost 200 in number.

Classic Motorcycling: A Guide for the 21st Century

by Rex Bunn

(July 2007 )
Softcover

Book Description from Panther Publishing:

"A different and fascinating new look at classic motorcycling with an international flavour - sure to appeal to all owners (and intending owners) of classic bikes. Classic Motorcycling is about buying, riding and maintaining classic motorcycles. It comes complete with sections on survival rates of classics and their price appreciation over recent years with future predictions, and is literally packed full of advice for both aspiring and experienced owners. From choosing the right bike, training for today's traffic, clothing, safety, maintenance, how and where to buy those all important spares, equipping a workshop, projects to improve most classics to simply experiencing the joy of ownership – its all here."

Order from Panther Publishing or from Amazon

The Complete Book of Police and Military Motorcycles

by Joseph Berk

Paperback - 104 pages (May 2001)

Product Description:

From Pittsburgh's adoption of motorcycles for police use in 1909 to Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing's 1916 pursuit of Pancho Villa into Mexican territory on Harley-Davidsons, Indians and Excelsiors to the deployment of motorcycles in both world wars, this book tells the fascinating tale of these magnificent machines from their 20th century beginnings to their current use by police departments and militaries throughout the world. Joseph Berk, author of The Gatling Gun, explores every aspect of police and military motorcycles, including the history of their manufacture by Harley-Davidson, Indian, Kawasaki, BMW, Honda and others; details of their procurement by selected U.S. police departments; critiques of the "Big Three" police models employed in the United States from officers who have put them to the test; a detailed outline of the intensive 10-day training program required of U.S. motor officers; an inside look at how specific police departments from Atlanta to L.A. utilize motorcycles on a day-to-day basis; and a look at the specific makes and models used by Special Forces and other military units from World War I through the turn of the century and beyond.

The Complete Motorcycle Nomad : A Guide To Machines, Equipment, People, And Places

by Roger Lovin

Paperback (1974)

Editorial Reviews:

"This is the perfect book for riders who want to take their street riding skills to a higher level. Total Control explains the ins and outs of high-performance street riding. Lee Parks, one of the most accomplished riders, racers, authors and instructors in the world, helps riders master the awe-inspiring performance potential of modern motorcycles. This book gives riders everything they need to develop the techniques and survival skills necessary to become a proficient, accomplished, and safer street rider. High quality photos, detailed instructions, and professional diagrams highlight the intricacies and proper techniques of street riding."

Randy Masters from Arlington TX, USA said (on HU):

"One book I have treasured since I started riding in 1976 is The Compleat Motorcycle Nomad, by Roger Lovin. If you haven't included it in your resources, I highly recommend it. Although dated it provides great philosophical insight into why and how, and the principles are just as valid today."

Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle

by Hugo Wilson, Dave King (Photographer)

Hardcover (November 1995)

Amazon.com Reviews - From Booklist

"Wilson, the author of the critically well received and popular Ultimate Motorcycle Book, has compiled a photographic gallery of more than 1,000 motorcycles, along with a comprehensive directory of more than 3,000 motorcycle manufacturers. In the first section of the book, many cycles are pictured from the front, as well as the side. Interesting text, basic facts, an insignia, and a flag for the country of origin of each model are part of every entry. For example, 23 Harley-Davidsons are shown, two or three to a page, from their first Silent Gray Fellow of 1904 to the late 1980s' 732-pound Evolution FLTC Tour Glide Classic. Many library patrons will also remember the Indian cycles from the 1940s and 1950s, as Indian was the dominant U.S. manufacturer at midcentury. This work includes scooters, in addition to motorcycles.

The second part of this book is the directory, which lists every known motorcycle marque (make or brand) alphabetically by country of origin. A two-page world map shows the 45 countries where motorcycles have been produced.

A glossary, a list of useful addresses of manufacturers and the like, a bibliography, and an index round out the work. This is a striking, well-conceived work that will provide endless hours of fascination to motorcycle buffs and truly encyclopedic coverage for the researcher."

Amazon.com reviews - Reviewer: Mark C. Zweig from Sherborn, Mass.

"This is an excellent reference for someone who wants to know about any brand of motorcycle. There's something in there on all of them!

I like everything about the book. The photography is great and there's some really good background information, too. My criticism of the book lies in the selection of the particular bikes that have any meaningful coverage devoted to them. Certain marques are overly represented where others are ignored or get very light coverage. Too many Ducatis, for example, and not enough early Kawasakis. Too many Ariels and not enough bikes from companies like Benelli, a company that sold zillions of lightweights. The other thing is the specific bikes chosen to represent certain companies. I would like to have seen a little more thought given to those that were the most significant models. That's my only real criticism. The authors' interests were reflected in this book.

But again, in summary, it's the most complete work of its type I have ever seen, and I have spent many hours enjoying it. It's also nice to have whenever anyone talks about a particular bike-- you can look it up in the book and in many cases, find a picture."

The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Maintenance

by Mark Zimmerman

Paperback (2003)

Motorcyclist Magazine:

"Required Reading...cover[s] everything you need to know...photos and illustrations to lead you through simple and complex tasks."

RoadBike:

"...we can all use the detailed tricks of the trade that Mark shares in this book..."

Fachwörterbuch der Zweiradtechnik: Deutsch, englisch, französisch = Two-wheeler technical dictionary: English, German, French

by Béatrice Couzereau

Paperback (1990)

Technical dictionary recommended by Trui Hanouille on the HUBB.

Fay Taylour: Queen of Speedway

by Brian Belton

Hardcover (July 2006)

Book Description from Panther Publishing :

"Fay Taylour was the most successful woman speedway rider - ever. Her short but meteoric career spanned just a few years in the late 1920s until women were banned from the Speedway in 1930. In these few years Fay made a name for herself first in Trials riding, in which she won several Gold Medals, and then in Speedway, one of the toughest of all sports on a motorcycle. Fay competed against, and beat, most of the well known male speedway riders in the UK, Australia and New Zealand and became something of a legend - the Queen of Speedway! This book is a biography of Fay and especially her motorcycle years in trials and speedway. It is a fascinating account of a truly remarkable woman and the early years of speedway in England, Australia and New Zealand."

Order from Panther Publishing or Amazon

Haynes Motorcycle Fuel Systems TechBook (Haynes Repair Manuals)

by John Robinson

Hardcover - 256 pages (July 15, 2000)

Amazon.com Reviewer: Adrian C Wright from Bethesda, MD United States

"Picture this: Spend a three day weekend stripping, cleaning, polishing and replacing hard to find parts on a 1979 motorcycle, it's finally back together!! Some fresh clean fuel, choke & ignition on, and ... it doesn't start. This book is a must have for motorcycle enthusiasts who are budding mechanics and need to refer to anything related to the fuel systems, which invariably cause the most frustrating and hard to diagnose faults!!

If like me you need to know a little more about motorcycle fuel systems (tuning, repair or maintenance) then this is the book for you, it explains so many intricate details about the entire fuel combustion process, specifically for motorcycle carbs/fuel injection. It's very recent (Y2K), unlike some other Motorcycle Carb Manuals.

Technical data and details are presented clearly, there's lots of diagrams and tips for anything from the oldest, most basic carbs to complex electronic fuel injected systems."

The Harley - Davidson Motor Company: A 100-Year History (Wisconsin)

by David K. Wright

Hardcover (2003)

Editorial Reviews:

"This is the mother of all Harley-Davidson histories, updated with photos and complete information on the amazing new V Rod. There was straight talk about which models ran well and which models did not, who the Harley-Davidson heroes really were, and how America's only remaining motorcycle was ridden to the abyss of utter failure! This newest history is the 4th edition and is an even better book, in part because Harley-Davidson, Inc. now considers the book too candid for its blindly loyal fans. Included are many historic William Davidson photos that have since mysteriously disappeared, plus photos of the very latest models, facts on racing, technology, accessories, cops, outlaws, celebrities, and more! Every H-D fan, from first-time rider to grizzled veteran, will want this fascinating, all-too-true story that is offered proudly without Harley-Davidson approval or endorsement."

Robert Lang from Cedar Rapids IA, USA:

"I have read well over 15 books in the last year on the history of Harley Davidson. This book in particular broke the mold in comparision to the others because the author went over and above the call of duty in his research. Rather than simply recite the corporate timeline and Harley's non-asscociation with outlaw biker gangs, Wright chose to speculate on some very real issues facing the Motor Company today. Problems like an aging customer base, continued invasion from foreign manufacturers and a strong emphasis on where the company must set it's sights in order to overcome these issues. Besides that he actually speaks in detail about everyone's greatest fear-the retirement of Willie G. The rest as they say is history. Definately a great read. If you're like me and have read a great deal of books of this nature, then you will truly appreciate this book. Throughout my time spent, I probably only didn't read a total of 10 pages of the entire book. Enjoy!"

Hold ON!

by Stan Dibben

(March 2008)
Softcover

Book Description From Panther Publishing:

"Stan lives life not just to the full, but right on the edge! There are no words to describe someone who has been a world champion sidecar rider – the one just barely in the sidecar, balancing the machine with his body at 150mph! Even more amazingly, by then Stan had already been a professional trumpet player, electrician and sailor as well as a highly respected motorcycle racer on the GP circuit. He worked with some of the well known names at both BSA and Norton, raced the first ever Dommie Racer, helped in the successful world land speed record set by Donald Campbell in Bluebird, and then became the man who did so much to introduce NGK spark plugs into the UK. He even designed supermarket trolleys that handled ‘like a Ferrari'! This is the remarkable story of an amazing man who has managed to fit more fun and adventure into his years than most of us would even dream of. His story is uplifting, and a remarkable insight into the world of sidecar racing and British industry. A book that will fill not just fill you with wonder, but one that will also open your eyes on a now rapidly fading era."

Order from Panther Publishing

Life is a Road
The soul is a motorcycle

by Daniel Meyer

(paperback, 189 pages)

From Amazon

About the Author

"Daniel Meyer is a pilot, engineer, skier, and an avid motorcyclist with a few hundred thousand miles under his belt. When asked to describe himself, his usual answer is, 'I'm a six-foot, three-hundred pound, blue-eyed Texan; supremely confident and strong as an ox, though I usually don't smell like one.'"

Book Description

"'I was on a lonely stretch of road. There were no lights other than the moon and stars, and I had not encountered any traffic in at least 10 minutes. Far ahead of me a figure stepped out of the brush and stood on the shoulder of the road. The figure was still far out of my headlight range, but was visible as a stunning and marvelous silhouette in the bright moonlight.' Capturing the essence of the riding experience through a series of adventures and a candid look into the author's mind, this book explodes the myths and shows the reader something few books have before-the complex motivations of an avid motorcycle rider."

Recommended. (Grant)

Monkey Butt

by Dick Sieman

Paperback

Tom McBride:

"I have just found this book and cannot put it down! It is a real life experiences of this guy (Dick Sieman) who was the founder and editor of Dirt Bike Mag. Damn hillarious!! It is true, truth can indeed be stranger than fiction. If you haven't read it and have been riding off road for any length of time, I suggest this book...you'll be rolling."

www.off-road.com:

"Outrageous, hard-hitting, hilarious, brutally honest, wildly entertaining and loaded with inside stories about the dirt bike industry, MONKEY BUTT! chronicles more than 30 years of this amazing phenomenon. Everything from bench racing and tall tales, to huge land battles with the Phantom Duck can be found in these pages."

For order details please click here.

More Than a Motorcycle : The Leadership Journey at Harley-Davidson

by Rich Teerlink, Lee Ozley

Hardcover - 288 pages (30 September, 2000)

"Harley-Davidson's Unlikely People-Based Transformation

While the business press was celebrating Harley-Davidson's remarkable financial turnaround in the late 1980s, the company's leader, Rich Teerlink, was deeply concerned. He knew that the storied motorcycle maker-flush from having beaten back an assault by skilled and determined Japanese competitors-now faced a new and even more formidable challenge: maintaining and improving upon its success in the absence of an external crisis.

Partnering with longtime organizational consultant Lee Ozley, Teerlink did something extraordinary: he moved beyond the top-down strategies that had just saved the company from extinction and began building a different Harley. The new Harley would be driven not by its top executives, but by its employees at every level. What happened over the next twelve years is the stuff of turnaround legend."

Motorcycle Accident Reconstruction and Litigation

by Kenneth S. Obenski, Paul F. Hill, Bernard S. Abrams, Leslie Weintraub

Hardcover (2002)

Editorial Reviews:

"Riding a motorcycle has been estimated as five times more complex as driving an automobile, and reconstructing an accident can be equally difficult. Part I is written by a professional engineer who has reconstructed over 200 motorcycle accidents and has safely ridden motorcycles for more than thirty-five years. It gives you the detailed information you need to reconstruct and litigate accidents. Part II, Legal Analysis, has been thoroughly updated to include recent cases of interest. This text also incorporates accident cause factors and identification of countermeasures, commonly known as "The Hurt Report." This important government study has never been repeated, and is considered to be the ultimate statistical report on what happens with motorcycles and what factors are important in the understanding of motorcycle accidents."

Motorcycle Design & Technology : How and Why

by Gaetano Cocco

Hardcover - 272 pages 1 Ed edition (June 22, 1999)

Amazon.com Reviewer: Dave Johnson from a place that is an equal distance from Laguna Seca and Sears Point, November 17, 1999

"This book is all about the general theory behind suspension, frames, and tires. It provides a host of formulas complete with supporting graphics. Great stuff to impress your friends. What this book is not is a how-to manual for setting up a race bike, and/or resolving the likes or real world scenarios you would encounter on or off the track. The chapter on engines is mostly about vibrations, forces of rotations, and how they bolt into frames. The language conversion (Italian to English) is proper, but not smooth-often making it hard to determine if he's staying on the subject.

If you want one book to learn the most from, buy Keith Cameron's Sport Bike Performance Handbook (ISBN076030229). If you have money left over, buy this one. However, this book would be a great (okay...excellent) gift item for anyone that rides street or track performance motos. By the way, it equally covers Italian, Japanese and German designs."

Reviewer: A reader from Connecticut, USA, June 23, 2000

"The most complete text I have read to date on the properties that make motorcycles what they are. If you love to ride and are mechanically inclined, you'll love this book."

Motorcycle Roadcraft: The Police Rider's Handbook to Better Motorcycling

by Phillip Coyne, Bill Mayblin, Home Office, Penny Mares (Editor)

Paperback - 193 pages 4th Ed (1 May, 1996)

Synopsis

With input from police riders, trainees and civilian experts, this work is designed for police trainees and other riders concerned with getting the best from their machines. It gives information on safe and effective methods of riding a bike. This edition reflects changes in advice and in regulations, and includes illustrations to explain the importance of correct positioning and hazard awareness, a chapter on motorway riding, and notes of main learning points and reviews and questions for each chapter.

Amazon.co.uk readers reviews:

Reviewer: A reader from Leeds,UK, 12 July, 2001

"Buy it if you own a Motorcycle. The first book anyone should buy before or after passing your driving test. Its a bit dry in contents but its easy to follow and all good stuff. Don't let the Police bit put you off."

Reviewer: (vic@[nospam]innocent.com) from UK , 28 September, 2000

"Vital reading. The techniques learnt from this book have saved my life several times.

You've heard the 'it's not you, it's the other bloke' warnings?

This book is all about how to be somewhere else when 'the other bloke' makes his mistake."

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Guide to Motorcycling Excellence: Skills, Knowledge, and Strategies for Riding Right, 2nd ed.

by Nate Rauba (Editor), Motorcycle Safety Foundation Staff, Motorcycle safe, Hector Cademartori (Illustrator)

Paperback - 176 pages 2nd edition (October 1, 1995)

Motorcycle Shopper, December, 1994

"When you're riding your motorcycle in traffic, what are three easy things you can do to increase your visibility? What percentage of your attention should be given to scanning in front of you and how much behind? How much of the available traction is consumed when you apply maximum braking?

The answers to these and other questions critical to safe motorcycling are to be found in a new publication from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation entitled Motorcycling Excellence: Skills, Knowledge, and Strategies for Riding Right."

Amazon.com reviews - souther_g from Tucson, AZ USA, July 17, 2000

"A very useful resource- especially in addition to the class. I've always advocated that there are two types of people on motorcycles: riders and accidents waiting to happen. If you are taking the time to look into proper rider education, I congratulate you on your decision to become one of the former. This book contains priceless information for riders. There really is no good substitute for knowledge and practice; and this book is an excellent source of knowledge. And take my word for it, this is the best book on the market. But, if you have not already done so, I'd STRONGLY recommend taking at least one of the MSF's courses as well. The second critical part of the equation I mentioned before is practice. And the supervised drills offered in the MSF courses are second to none for low speed practice. I've taken two myself in addition to owning this book. Having both the classes and the book for reference has been extremely helpful, to say the least.

To summarize, this is a book that belongs on every motorcyclist's bookshelf. I'd also recommend taking the classes. With those resources, you will find motorcycling more enjoyable as well as safer. It's saved my skin more then once, and I'd say that I've gotten at least a ten fold return for my time and money. And it's better then needing "First Aid for Bad Riders", "101 Ways to Fall Off Your Bike Gracefully" or "An Idiot's Guide to Compound Fractures" on your shelf. You will be an exponentially better rider if you buy this book, study its contents, and practice its techniques."

Motorcycle Trackdays for Virgins

by Simon Bradley

(March/April 2008)
Softcover

Book Description from Panther Publishing:

"An absolutely ‘must have' book for all wanting to improve their riding skills on the track. Trackday virgins will value its straightforward and fun approach to what to expect on a trackday, but just about any enthusiast will find the techniques and circuit guides described here invaluable, because if riding a bike is fun then riding it on the track is infinitely more! There is plenty of detail on how to get cornering speeds up, what's safe and what's not, regulations, flags and the do's and don'ts of the track - and of course a complete guide to all the turns and twists on the circuits as well as some details on trackday companies. Absolutely fascinating and a great guide for anyone – novice and even the more experienced - contemplating taking a bike on a racetrack whether it's a modern powerful sports bike, a small lightweight machine or even a classic!"

Order from Panther Publishing

Panther Since 1950

by Steve Wilson

(Feb/March 2008)
Softcover

Book Description from Panther Publishing:

"Panther were one of those legendary British makes of motorcycle who produced limited numbers of surprisingly good machines. They outlasted many of the better known bikes of their day, finally ceasing to trade in 1966. Their history is perhaps surprisingly little known to some, as it is replete with innovation and a strong reputation for reliability, durability and comfort. Few bikes are as untroubled by a long day on the road as a big Panther; and even fewer are as economical as the Panther lightweights.

The book starts with a short but comprehensive history of the company from its inception in the early 1900s, describing the business challenges and successes experienced by P&M..."

Order from Panther Publishing or from Amazon

The Panther Story: the Story of Phelon & Moore Ltd

by Barry M Jones

Hardcover (1999)
A4 (297 x 210 mm)

Book Description from Panther Publishing:

"The complete history of Panther motorcycles, their manufacture, exploits, and achievements.

Written by Barry Jones, the authority on the history of Panther motorcycles, this book is full of new information, photos and illustrations."

Order from Panther Publishing or from Amazon

The Perfect Vehicle: What It is about Motorcycles

by Melissa Holbrook Pierson

Paperback - 240 (May 1998)

Review from Amazon.com

Reviewer: Beth Hartford-DeRoos (Jackson, California):

"This woman, this Melessia Holbrook Pierson knows what she speaks of and as I read I feel as if she is with the group I ride with on back roads through out the Sierras. The Hoggettes as we jokingly call ourselves, because we ride Harleys. So many books on riding real motorcycles are written by men. This one by this woman is the best I own.

She has a wonderful section on the value of rally rides as well as loads of photographs of the history and evolution of motorcycles. And as a rider as well as a woman, wife, mother, daughter of motorcycle riders I believe the best and brightest ride motorcycles and that sons and male lovers, partners, husbands should be encouraged to own a motorcycle and ride it often."

Recommended by Red Bull on the HUBB

Proficient Motorcycling : The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well

by David L. Hough

Paperback - 264 pages 0 edition (April 15, 2000)

Amazon readers reviews:

Reviewer: Michael from Orlando, Florida USA

"Being a beginning motorcyclist, I wanted some sage advice on what to look out for from someone who knew. That's exactly what you get from David Hough in "Proficient Motorcycling". This is a great addition (but not substitution) for the MSF Safety Course. The book is plain English and easily read. Great book for either new people to motorcycling or even those with a little experience who want to learn more about how and why a motorcycle does what it does."

Lynn Dimick from Westminster, CA United States

"David Hough does for the road rider what Keith Code does for the track rider. Hough takes everyday riding situations and analyzes them from all perspectives. He does not get bogged down in silly definitions or other diversions. He is straight forward and thorough.

I have been riding for more than 20 years. Many of the things that Hough discusses were things that I learned the hard way. This book is filled with good common sense suggestions. This is by far the best book for any street rider - even better than the MSF book."

Rebuilding the Indian

by Fred Haefele

Paperback (1998)

Editorial Reviews:

"Fred Haefele--a writer who can't get his novel published, an arborist who has sporadic work that's murder on his aging muscles, and an expectant father for the first time in more than twenty years--impulsively tackles the restoration of a 1941 Indian Chief motorcycle. This daunting project starts with a massive leap of faith--the purchase of a basket case--a $5,000 heap of indeterminate old Indian parts in a cardboard box. From this grab bag, Haefele will slowly but surely resurrect one of the most beautiful machines ever built. With limited mechanical skills, a budget that relies heavily on a Visa Gold card, and a cast of local experts, Haefele takes us around every curve on his rocky road to restoration: the thrill of finding an original spare part; the joy of completing a repair that was previously beyond his ability; the nagging doubt that he's insane and the bike will never be finished; the suspicion that, once it looks finished, it won't run; and finally, the sheer headlong, heart-thrilling rush of riding the gleaming midnight-blue Millennium Flyer."

Scott Lyon:

"If yer into restoration stuff, (this is a) great story about the joys and frustrations of restoration and everyday life."

Rupert Ratio Unit Single Engine Manual

by Rupert Ratio

(August 2000)
Paperback
171 x 248 mm

Book Description from Panther Publishing:

"Armed with this book even the least experienced 'spanner man' will be able to not only rebuild a BSA Unit Single, but make it go better and more reliably than even BSA thought possible! This book quite literally takes the BSA (and Triumph) Unit Single engine apart, then it shows how to rebuild the engine correctly. The book includes wiring diagrams, complete specifications, hundreds of illustrations, a wealth of invaluable advice and tuning tips to make your unit single perform!

The Rupert Ratio Unit Single Engine Manual will also be of interest to all BSA enthusiasts since it charts the development of one of the last and most successful machines to come out of Small Heath. Long after the factory closed Unit Singles were still a competitive force in trials and motocross riding and many are still used for that purpose today."

Order from Panther Publishing or from Amazon

Sportbike Performance Handbook

by Kevin Cameron

Paperback - 160 pages (March 1998)

Scott , 6 June, 1999

"A book for all motorcycycle riders.

This a book that nearly all riders can benefit from whether considering racing, street performance, maintenance, or just wondering about how all that machinery underneath us works. Kevin Cameron approaches each aspect of motorcycle performance with an explanation how that system works and how it interacts with you and the rest of the bike. This understanding of your bike's systems makes performance choices clearer and easier. Any mechanical modification or upgrade has its tradeoffs which Cameron make clear for every subject. But even without the need for "superbike" performance, understanding the inner workings of what you ride adds greatly to the experience. In reading this text it is clear that Mr. Cameron has considerable experience, education, training, enthusiam, and intuition into the workings of motorcycles. He is able to bring all of this into words for the enthusiast - without the need for an engineering degree."

(If Kevin Cameron wrote it, it's good! - Grant)

Stayin' Safe: The Art and Science of Riding Really Well

by Lawrence Grodsky

Hardcover - 352 pages (June 15, 2008)

Book Description from Whitehorse Press:

"Larry Grodsky devoted his life to motorcycle safety. Through the riding courses he taught and his "Stayin' Safe" columns in Rider magazine (from 1988 until his untimely death in 2006), he helped thousands of motorcyclists improve their skills and their ability to ride really well. This collection of Grodsky's columns reveals his ability to illuminate complex and sometimes highly technical subjects with an entertaining and personal style, spiced with his trademark wry wit and keen observations of human behavior.

A master teacher, Grodsky was constantly learning from his students, always striving to find the best way to lead riders toward mastery of their two-wheeled vehicles. Many of his columns focus on helping riders develop specific skills (complete with practice exercises), while others deal with the riding environment and riders' mental processes.

While it is packed with information useful to both novice and experienced motorcyclists, this book is not structured as a how-to guide to motorcycle proficiency. Rather, it is a collection of thoughtful essays to be read and savored individually. Readers will be rewarded by the beautifully written stories of a great motorcycle riding instructor who has left his mark on a generation of grateful riders."

Street Strategies: A Survival Guide for Motorcyclists

by David L. Hough and David Hough

Paperback (2001)

Editorial Reviews:

"Street Strategies is a unique collection of street riding savvy gleaned from years of real-life motorcycling. Each page serves as a reminder about a specific hazard and a short lesson designed to help readers avoid an accident. Perfect for the novice and expert alike."

Sturgis Stories: Celebrating the People of the World's Largest Motorcycle Rally

by Thomas G. Endres

Paperback (2002)

Editorial Reviews:

"Thousands of people from all corners of the world and all stripes of life converge on Sturgis, South Dakota, each August. They are hardcore bikers, white collar executives, professionals, biker beauties, motorcycle grandmas, Christian bikers, the curious, and many more. What is the magic? Why do they go? Tom Endres provides an answer and an insight in his profiles of the bikers themselves. A family-friendly book which you can leave on your coffee table for everyone to read."

Ann Ferrar, Author, "Hear Me Roar":

"In stories and photographs of eloquent simplicity, Tom Endres' book celebrates the people--the bikers--who make it all happen."

Total Control High - Performance Street Riding Techniques

by Lee Parks

Paperback (2003)

Editorial Reviews:

"This is the perfect book for riders who want to take their street riding skills to a higher level. Total Control explains the ins and outs of high-performance street riding. Lee Parks, one of the most accomplished riders, racers, authors and instructors in the world, helps riders master the awe-inspiring performance potential of modern motorcycles. This book gives riders everything they need to develop the techniques and survival skills necessary to become a proficient, accomplished, and safer street rider. High quality photos, detailed instructions, and professional diagrams highlight the intricacies and proper techniques of street riding."

Marcelo A. Soto Quiroga from Maracay,Venezuela:

"Well explained topics, full of graphics and photographs, this book is a perfect aid for those riders wanting to get the most of their bikes. It deals with technical subjects like suspension set-up and aerodynamics, as well as human topics like attitude, fear and fitness. Don't get misled by the title, since the techniques taught there apply to every bike type, not only to hi-performance superbikes. Written in a plain understandable language and including just the right and needed math formulae, Mr. Parks leads the reader through the entire book without much pain even for the complete novice rider. He even adds the right amount of subtle humour also. Great book, highly recommendable."

Velocette Since 1950: The Big Singles

by Steve Wilson

Softcover
270 x 210 mm
63 pages
67 illustrations and tables

Book Description from Panther Publishing:

"Velocette is one of the legendary British motorcycle manufacturers. In their day few other machines of the period could go as fast for as long, or handle as well as a big Velocette single. It is a Velocette that holds the distinction of being the first bike to achieve 100 mph for 24 hours. This book provides detailed information on all of the large singles produced and how they changed over the years. It also gives a comprehensive description of the history of the company from 1950 until final closure in 1970. This is a fascinating and definitive account of Velocette which will interest all those who love old British bikes and one which no Velocette owner should be without."

Order from Panther Publishing or from Amazon

We've All Been There

by "Spider"

(January 2005)
paperback
236 x 156 mm
64 pages
41 cartoons
11 poems

Book Description from Panther Publishing:

"This collection of cartoons celebrates those magical moments when things don't quite go right - disasters in the garage, breakdowns, and the many moments of acute embarrassment and guilt which seem to plague us all! Of course, these are the moments that become stories told and retold, until we too find ourselves in danger of becoming a character in one of Spider's cartoons!"

Order from Panther Publishing or from Amazon

Ultimate Motorcycle Book

by Hugo Wilson, Dave King (Photographer)

Hardcover - 192 pages (October 1993)

Amazon.com reviews

Reviewer: edthenickname from Oak Brook, IL United States, August 25, 2001

"Deeply Cool. This book has great photos, no dark areas or confining borders to the photos, and intelligent text that always complements the main features--the motorcycle photos. Though mainly an exposition of the many types of motocycles in the world, this is also a history book touching on vintage bikes, famous racers, and facts about changing technology that have made certain bikes pathbreaking achievements of engineering. There is only a two-page section on motocross, the same volume of pages allocated to scooters. No elaboration into the sub-phyla--or sub-classes--of arena cross or supercross. But that's not a big deal, because what you have here is well worth it on its own. Wilson includes a great layout of "Electrics and instruments" which is reminiscent of Gray's Anatomy, in that it looks like a dissection scene from biology class. He lays out the electrical system of a motorcycle (street bike), looking like nerves branching out of a spinal cord. This is an innovative way to present this, with the amber, red, and white light covers and the battery cell covers still on.

Only someone obsessed with this subject matter could have done this, which has the benefit of rubbing off on less-devoted adherents of the sport and the products who still need to be motivated by reading this book. And by simply studying it. Way more than words here. This is the lifetime achievement superstar reception room table favorite book in our law firm. Amazingly, no client has stolen it yet."

When Rosie met Anneka

by Steve Wilson and Jacinthe Betts

Paperback - 80 pages (October 2002)

Synopsis:

"If only a motorbike could talk! And in this charming, beautifully illustrated story they can! Or at least one very special bike does, a BSA A10 called Anneka, that's nearly 50 years old and in need of some tender loving care. But Anneka only talks to Rosie as she and her father struggle not only to restore the bike but also to find an answer to the age-old mystery of the 3000 year old White Horse at Uffington in Oxfordshire - the one thing which can save her Dad's job at the local university archaeological department. A lovely book sure to spark interest in the ancient places and monuments of England, as well as one which shares fully the joy of motorcycling and classic motorcycle restoration."

Motorcycle Books are sorted alphabetically by Title.

To search this page for a Title or Author, use Ctrl F on your browser.

Please let us know of any books you think we should list here, and if possible, your comments on the book.

We very much appreciate it when you buy your books through our website, the small commission does help to defray the costs, and the work that goes into the newsletter and running the bulletin board. Thanks!

Please note that reviews are generally supplied by the vendors. I have NOT read all the books! Someday, I hope. My comments will have (Grant) appended.