Motorcycles Books

Its a pretty in depth look at the biker gang and clubs.I am a motorcycle rider and I ride a chopper and it still shocks me that the mass people think that we are a bunch of drug addicts or drunks well its not true so read and LEARN.............

A superb and tantalising book that looks at the life of what one reviewer has described as "the last free people in society". Art Veno's collection of first hand accounts of motorcycle gangs both reinforces some myths about them but, at the same time, explodes others. It is not all sex, drugs and rock and roll in bikie land, though, thankfully, there is plenty here about the sexual mores and rather exotic sexual practices of those who defy the conventions of "normal" society. But the book is much more than just a snapshot into the private lifes of the bikie sub-culture. it is also a rivetting account of the politics and social structure of motorcycle gangs. At the same time it shines a torch on our own society and the hypocrisy and cant that we sometimes preach. A rivetting read.

In this impressive tome, Arthur Veno collects 40 first-hand accounts from various biker insiders and observers. In addition to classic reports penned by Daniel Wolf and Sonny Barger, Veno digs deep into biker history and lore, uncovering many gems along the way.

Consider this, an excerpt from a 1947 San Francisco Chronicle article detailing efforts by Hollister police to force a "lull in the terrorism" at the town. "Armed with tear gas guns," it reads, "the officers herded the cyclists into a block on San Benito Street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, parked a dance band on a truck and ordered the musicians to play. Hundreds of individuals who invaded the town yesterday for the motorcycle show, about 10 percent of them women, halted their riotous 'play' to dance."

In The Mammoth Book Of Bikers, this antagonistic--often-comical-- relationship between bikers and the police is laid bare. Veno deftly shows that this relationship-- fueled by a sensational press-- is symbiotic at its core. As one Hell's Angel put it bluntly to Hunter S. Thompson: "Of course I don't like to read all this... because it brings the heat down on us, but since we got famous we've had more... women come looking for us than we ever had before. Hell, these days we have more action than we can handle." Veno's book goes a long way at deconstructing myths about bikers-- while at the same time adding to the allure of the One Percenter lifestyle.

This book is really just a combination of stories from several other books. I have read many other books on this topic so I found the book to be old news, but still worthy of a read. If your only going to read one book on bikers this would be a good choice.

Our school was fortunate enough to have Mr. Loomis as a guest speaker. He took the children through the writing process with the use of this book, he was very informative and enlightening.
Motocross Mike is a refreshing approach at aiming and obtaining interest of relucant readers, especially boys. Several of our students who rarely read unless required to do so, were caught reading this book when they were suppose to be working on something else. That's a good sign!!
I would strongly recommend that any media specialist should put it on their "Got to have list". You won't be disappointed.

This was a great book to read with my 12 year old son and my 10 year old daughter. We would read a chapter evey night,it was action-packed. We couldn't wait to read what would happen to Mike next. We had a hard time putting it down. I highly reccomend it.

As a literacy volunteer I saw how hard it is to entice young boys for whom reading is still a challenge to pick up a book. Motocross Mike's adventures on the track should do the trick.

Retired elementary school principal, Charles Loomis knows his sport and knows his kids. Motocross Mike deals with the stuff that keeps young readers revved and ready to read -- trouble with Mom, trouble with a bully, a little danger and great friends playing hard together. An excellent choice for the middle school reader.

This book will definitely hold your interest as their are many subplots to build tension in the story. Not only does the detail of the actual motocross races hold you in suspense but the ultimate decision that Mike and his mother must make is a familiar crisis for many teens. This book is a must for motocross enthusiasts and will be an enjoyable read for anyone who is interested in young adult fiction. As a reading specialist I will be recommending this book to my reluctant male readers at middle school level.

Motocross Racers 30 Years of Legendary Bikes
By: Ray Ryan


This book is full of heart warming photos and facts about the bikes that started it all. I would recommend this book to all of those people who would like to learn about motocross history and people who make motocross a part of there own lives. This book is not for people who would like to sit down and read a nice picture book. This book has cold hard facts about who made bikes back then for motocross and also how they have changed throughout the years and the very first racers with these bikes.


I this book because it taght me what bikes were like a long time ago and because of how it went within the bike to show you how the engines and the whole bike really evolved from that time to present day.


This book teaches readers about the past in motocross. By the ebd of this book readers will have a full understanding of motocross and there values.



I would rate this book for about 4 ½ stars

It's a delightful book - BUT if you expected a selection of bikes that included your own, don't count on it. If you had a big-bore machine, you're going to love this book. If you are one of the MANY who didn't, you may find this book a disappointment, in not being two or three times as thick.

The VMX world can be grateful for this book. But a new edition or addition is needed.
Definately Recommended.

Having been a huge MX fan through the 70's and 80's, I remember almost all of these bikes. The photography is excellent and the stories about how each bike was important in the evolution of design is great reading. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that I wish it was about twice as thick... It's still a good value for the money though.

This is an excellent book with high quality photos on every page. Good representation for most all-brands. Can reccomend for sure. A safe purchase in this case.

Its a great shop manual, easy to use and follow, but I have a couple 91-93 indy lite gt 340's which the manual doesn't cover. My mistake

I love riding on my Polaris. It is the perfect means of transportation from my summer home in Maine to the winter home in Vermont and even back to the estate in Connecticut. This book helps me keep my baby tip-top. With my modifications I have been able to reach speeds in excess of 190 mph. Well maybe not 190 mph per se. Regardless, the babes love it. I've got them drinkin water like it's goin out of style, if you know what I mean.
Stephen T. Schmitt, Member, Porsche Club of America

I bought this book for my husband for Christmas so he could rebuild the suspension on his own. He loves this book...it is his Bible. Excellent, detailed descriptions for ALL maintenance on your Polaris sled!

I bought this book several years ago for a 1990 Indy 500. Over the years i've went through three sleds. This book helps even the clumsiest mechanic feel like there is nothing they can't fix.

This book has a lot of timeless tips about motocross racing and dirt bike riding with plenty of photos to walk the reader through the various techniques. I highly recommend that anyone new to this sport read the book cover to cover just to get well-grounded in the basics. There are some more advanced techniques covered, but this is primarily for the beginner to intermmediate rider. Some of the suggestions here will definitely lower your lap times.

I received this product in a timely manner and in good condition. Everything worked out great.

I've been to many Motocross schools, had many instructors, and have read several books about the Best Sport on Earth.
This book not only has the best info, but it's laid out in such a way one can use it to keep improving their skills.
When you want to be a better rider, simply refer back to it!
Do you want to have more fun? Ride faster, more efficiently, and have more confidence? How about riding so that you look good (and don't crash)?
I recommend this book as indispensable.

Before I jumped into dirt riding I thought I'd better educate myself a bit and got this book. Compared to anything else out there it it loaded with good info. I like Semics has his little green quick "how too" or comment section on certain topics. So you can pick up the book and look at a couple of pages and not get bogged down in material. "Hey in sand you can go faster becuase as soon as you chop the throttle the sand helps stop you" quick and simple tricks like that all over this book. Things all you guys who've been ridin since you were 4 already know but for those of us whos mother would not let him ride until he got out of the house then this book may keep you from taking some soil samples needlessly.

This is a good little book about relationships, and series of events that happens because of a motorcycle trip. It's not a great book for mothers about how to cope with their sons, for sons to cope with their mothers, and it's not a book about how to do motorcycle touring. It's just a story that happens in a particular setting.

I bought the book after having read Storm and thought I'd see what else is around in this genre besides Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenenace. If you're looking for a "biker book", let Dove go, but if you're looking for a story with good insight, commentary, and just plain an account of one phase of personal relationships, and you want a smattering of bike stuff, Dove is well worth reading.

Hang on it's going to be a bumpy and very wet ride! A sincere and moving story of a mother and her relationship with her sons. I felt as though I was riding along with Dorothy and living her experiences.

This beautifully crafted story warms the saddened heart. It reveals a grieving heart that risks pain to find love again. This true adventure of a sensitive soul is both a revelation of deep pain and of deep joy. Mrs. Friedman is able to express the decisive moments in which we either continue old habits or venture into deep emotional waters in search of love. Her grief and her triumphs promise hope in a world of loss.

Trail Of The Dove is an eloquently written story, every word flowing like a midwestern breeze. Here is a senior citizen, adventurous,forever youthful and somewhat opinionated, embarking on a cross-country motorcycle trip with her grown son, both of them learning along the way. I found it delightful, easy reading. Recommended for all ages!

How do I know this book is not as good as it should be?
Well, I have a very similar DK "ultimate" book for bicycles. That one covers everything from all the different bikes & accesories to the skills & techniques required for good riding, as well as general maintenance.

THIS motorcycle book has none of that. 90% of the book covers various motorcycles, most of them old cruisers, with just a few points on each one. It has only about 18 brief pages at the end to discuss the workings of a motorcycle and other things such as tyres, clothes, etc. That is just not enough.

This book is simply a summary of various motorycles from a historical perspective (with hardly any included from the "sports-bike" category). Not only that - all the bikes are old ones starting from 100 years ago. None of the newer sports bikes are covered in any sort of real detail. But aren't they one of the most popular [if not THE most popular] types of bikes? (I don't know, because I'm new to this) Any book worthy of using the word "ultimate" is the title must be both well-balanced and very thorough. This book is neither.

If you want my opinion, do not buy this book if you have not seen it. I can't believe everyone else rated it so highly, unless of course they're the sort who get nostalgic reading all about a bunch of old cruisers!

POUR MON PERE QUI EST TRES MALADE ET HOSPITALISE, JE RECHERCHE DES ARTICLES ET/OU PHOTOS DE LA MOTO SUIVANTE : GNOME ET RHONE / 500CC / FLATWIND / BI-CYLINDRES / TRANSMISSION A ACATENE / BOITE 3 VITESSES / MOTEUR ENCASTRE DANS LE CADRE / CADRE EN TOLE ONDULEE POUVEZ-VOUS M'AIDER ? MERCI - CHRISTINE

"The best spin-off from the invention of the wheel is, without any doubt, the motorcycle."

Whether you are a rider, someone who likes to admire motorcycles, or are curious to learn more, this book is for you. The book balances the "lure of the open road" mystique of motorcycles, with solid history, and gorgeous photographs of important and well-known models.

The first few pages look at how Gottlieb Daimler developed the first motorcycle. You will also see impressive photographs of a replica made from the original drawings. From there, Mr. Wilson teaches us about how engines developed, and where they were located in the design. Then, the issues of other needed technologies are explored (like brakes, suspension, and safety features). Original black-and-white photographs vie with color advertisements and beautiful color side views of motorcycles for your attention.

The main section of the book looks at the history of the world's motorcycles, by geography. Each page is crammed with views of motorcyles from ever angle, photographs of riders, and lots of specifications and other interesting details. Major parts of this section cover the United States (Harley-Davidson, Police Motorcycles, Henderson, Custom Bikes, Indian, and Other Classics), Germany (BMW, DKW, Sidecars, MZ, Munch, NSU, and Other Classics), Great Britain (AJS, Brough-Superior, BSA, Norton, Triumph, Speed Records, Velocette, Vincent HRD, and Other Classics), Italy (Benelli, Ducati, Gilera, Scooters, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, and Other Classics), Japan (Honda, Touring Motorcycles, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha), and a few bikes from Austria, Czechosloakia, France, Scandinavia, and Spain. The strength of this section is that many brands are covered. The corresponding weakness is that not very many models can be displayed for each brand.

The most exciting part of the book for me was the section on Motorcycle sports. These include Grand Prix racing, Superbikes, endurance racing, T T racing, Motocross, trials, speedway, desert racing, American racing, drag racing, and sidecar racing. Just looking at these exciting bikes is enough to make you wake up, and sit and stand up taller.

The final section displays key points about how the various parts of a motorcycle work.

Mr. Wilson is lucky to have been able to draw upon the Motorcycle Heritage Museum in Westerville, Ohio for models to illustrate the book. We are fortunate to be able to see them also.

If you just want to see Harleys, you will prefer Mr. Wilson's outstanding book, The Ultimate Harley-Davidson.

Looking at these marvelous machines made me think about other ways we can enjoy the wind in our hair and a feeling of freedom. If you like those experiences, have you ever tried other means to enjoy them? How many can you find? Which ones are even more fun than motorcyles? For me, a small boat on a choppy ocean going full throttle racing to get close enough to identify a humpback whale is an even better joy.

Now, consider what experiences are even more enjoyable than "wind in the hair" and "feeling free" in the form you like best . . . and are safer. How can you enjoy them more often? Can you enjoy any of them just by looking at a book?

Exercise your imagination to open up more possibilities for seizing all the juice life has to offer!

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.

Perfect book to read and help you understand your vespa. I feel its a good book.

There arent very many Vespa scooter repair manuals out there that are in english. So why not get this one?

This is a great book for minor OR major repair to Vespa scooters. It covers vintage models of different styles. For the Sprint 150cc, I found the wiring diagram easy and helpful. It appears the diagrams for others were as complete. All were color coded as well. The book is well illustrated for most any job necessary.

If you own a vinatge Vespa from 1959-1978 you should own this service manual even if you don't plan on working on your scooter. It helps with routine maintence, trouble shooting, and just basic knowledge of your machine. Take care of you scooter and it will take care of you. Tons of pictures, parts and wire diagrams. A MUST HAVE!!!!

The title of the book is decieving for while the archival pictures are quiant, this is not a diffinative historical picture filled book on the Vespa. It's a pictorial book about the Douglas Motorcycle companies relationship with Vespa, nothing else. There are basic attempts to detail what happened in the two companies history and the models that were produced but it isn't what the title makes it out to be. Buy it if you just want to know more triva, not for hard core data like you would want to know on specific models Vespa made and when they made them.

This really is a great book with wonderful pictures. The title is very misleading in terms that it is in no way a definitive history of Vespa.

It is however a very valuable resource on the Vespa in the UK and Douglas motorcycles. If you already have an interest and other resources on the Vespa history at large, and a passing interest in the socio-economic conditions in the UK in relation to the rise and fall of British motorcycle companies (a stretch, but I certainly do), the book is a must have.

Some time is spent on the earlier Vespa clubs in the late 40s and early 50s, as well as detailed information on UK-only modifications and offerings well into the 1960s. Several pictures offer insight into Vespa production facilities and methods.

For those who don't know of Eric Brockway- this man was not only the honorary vespa club of Britain president for many years (sadly passed away but not forgotten!) he was also managing director of Douglas motorcycles during the years they imported and built Vespas in Bristol. Eric knew more about vespa (pre p-range and after) than anyone I've ever met or heard of- a lovely man with a wealth of hands-on experience. The book is well worth the price and no Vespa (or motorcycle/motor-scooter) book collection would be complete without it.

That's a great looking book with very interesting B&W pictures. Not much text but the essential nonetheless and every picture has a detailed informative legend (96 pages). But important: THIS BOOK COVERS "DOUGLAS" (MADE IN THE UK) VESPA HISTORY ONLY. A "must have", I think.

This book gives an excellent glimpse into a company that committed most of the mistakes typical American companies make and found themselves in the same financial straits. But rather than giving in to a me-too attitude of trying to provide an inferior product with cheap foreign labor and cost cutting at every turn, they instead did things the American way - reconnecting with their customer base and creating a unique product that customers were proud to own.

Any company that deals with American consumers ought to have this book on the desk of every manager in the company.

This is an excellent story told in easy to read fashion. It details the comeback company of the 1990's if you ask me; Harley Davidson is. I've read it 2 times and working on the third time now. I'm not a business major since the book is business classified. I just Love Harley Davidson and read all I can about this wonder.

This is an excellant example of a company that was near bankruptcy and able to pull itself together, reinvent itself, and again is a world class company. Many of the things that transpired with Harley can be subsituted into our business today. The culture of Harley is so unique that many people have the Harley Logo tatooed on their bodies! This is one of the best American business success stories I have read. Many ideas that were used to regain market share would help alot of manufacturing companies today if they follow a similar path as the Harley Execs did. In my oponion, Harley is right up there with baseball and apple pie. This story translates what people can accomplish when they have common goals.

This book is OK (the last section is the best, in my opinion), but suffers from two problems: it seems to jump around alot and it is also pretty much a fluff piece.

The book starts out trying to describe the management changes that occured at HD, then spends many pages discussing the various finance issues that came up when the management bought HD from it's parent company, then goes into sales issues then back to management issues. So, is this supposed to be a historical record or a management book? It does not devote enough time to either topic to do either subject justice.

Also, this book is in my opinion a fluff piece. All of H-D's strengths are glorified while their weaknesses are rationalized away by saying that "everyone does it" (ex, H-D's earlier management was bad, but so was every other US company's).

The last section on how to implement these changes into your company is good. If the rest of the book was written in this format it would have been much better.