Motorcycle Books and Book Reviews
Motorcycle books that every motorcycle rider should own
The following motorcycle books are personally owned by me and recommended to any motorcycle rider who wants to know more about motorcycles.
Some motorcycle books have also been personally reviewed. Most motorcycle books are available for sale on this site through Amazon.com by clicking the title of the book.
A - H: (Biker Billy => Honda)
I - R: (Illustrated Antique => Rigby's Roads)
S - Z: (Street Strategies => Zen & the Art)
Illustrated Antique American Motorcycle Buyer's Guide (Illustrated Buyer's Guide) by Jerry Hatfield
This book covers motorcycles made in the USA between 1900 and 1936. The first part of the book covers "The Big Three" motorcycle companies that were able to survive more than 25 years. The rest of the book covers the 1900-1915 era for the other motorcycles built during that period. The 128 marques discussed are rated using a 40-point scale. Paperback
Illustrated Bmw Motorcycle Buyer's Guide (Motorbooks International Illustrated Buyer's Guide Series) by Stefan Knittel and Roland Slabon
The first BMW motorcycle was the R32, introduced in 1923. The authors give descriptions, pictures, and specifications for most BMW models from 1923-1990. Included is the collector status rating for each model.
Investment Biker: Around the World with Jim Rogers by Jim Rogers
Jim Rogers and his girlfriend decided to ride their BMW motorcycles around-the-world. As a successful investor, he decided to check out the investing opportunities in each country. Their 65,067 mile trip took 22 months. Paperback
The Motorcycle Book by Alan Seeley
This is an excellent book for every motorcyclist, especially those wanting to know more about motorcycles. Many colorful pictures, illustrations, and diagrams. Covers: Which motorcycle, Getting on the road, Know your Motorcycle, and Looking after your motorcycle. Paperback
Motorcycle Song by Diane Siebert
I don't run across a lot of children's books about motorcycles. When this book, "Motorcycle Song," was offered to me for review by Harper Collins Publishers, I was pleasantly surprised as soon as I opened it. Hardcover
Walter's Review
Motorcycle Touring and Travel: A Handbook of Travel by Motorcycle by Bill Stermer
Stermer wrote the first edition of this book in 1991, shortly after I took up motorcycling. I knew Bill from the Rider magazine rallies. I read the book from cover to cover. I learned a lot. You'll learn even more from this edition. Paperback
Walter's Review
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Guide to Motorcycling Excellence: Skills, Knowledge, and Strategies for Riding Right (2nd Edition) by the MSF Staff
This book by the staff of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation is a good introduction to motorcycling. It's a must read before you take the MSF course. It discusses most concerns of new riders and prepares you to recognize the hazards of street riding.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
This is a charming book about a mouse named Ralph who meets a boy named Keith who has a toy motorcycle. Keith teaches Ralph special ways to make the motorcycle run. Ralph learns that fun and trouble go together. Paperback
Murder on the Trap by J. Preston Smith
Bon Sandifer is a Vietnam vet who rides Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Seems that lately someone from his past is seeking revenge on him by meticulously killing off Bon's family members. Paperback
Walter's Review
Orange County Choppers (TM): The Tale of the Teutuls by Paul Teutul Sr., Paul M. Teutul, and Michael Teutul with Keith and Kent Zimmerman
I think just about everyone has heard of the Discovery Channel series, American Chopper. It stars a family of chopper builders located in Montgomery, NY headed by a father, Paul Teutul, and his two sons, Paul Jr, and Mikey. They started their business out of Paul Teutul's basement where Paul and Paul Jr. collaborated on designing and fabricating six or seven so-called Basement Bikes. Orange County Choppers (OCC) was founded in 1999 and the Basement Bikes were its first products.
This book describes the life stories of the Teutuls as they grow and begin living the American Dream. Hardcover.
Walter's Review
Original Vincent Motorcycle (Original Series) by J. P. Bickerstaff
This is a 128-page historical account of the Vincent motorcycle after World War II. It is beautifully illustrated with full color pictures on almost every page. My personal favorites are the Black Knight and Black Prince series that were so far ahead of their time that few buyers were attracted. Contains closeups of bike features and many detailed descriptions. Hardcover
Outlaw Machine: Harley-Davidson and the Search for the American Soul by Brock Yates
Harley-Davidson began selling motorcycles in 1903. From the moment of the Hollister incident in 1947, motorcycles became tinged with evil. This book traces the history of Harley, its effect on culture, and the current scene. Hardcover
The Perfect Vehicle: What It is about Motorcycles by Melissa H. Pierson
This book is a scholarly search by a woman to understand why the motorcycle means so much to her. The elements of danger and risk have been present for a hundred years, yet devotees are compelled to ride. You'll enjoy this ride. Hardcover
Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well by David L. Hough
David L. Hough has spent over 30 years writing articles about motorcycles and how their riders can learn to ride them safely. Now, he has compiled all these articles into this new book. This book should be read cover-to-cover at the beginning of the riding season by every motorcyclist. Paperback
Walter's Review
More Proficient Motorcycling: Mastering the Ride by David L. Hough
David L. Hough has written another book that digs deeper into the mysteries of motorcycling and uses subjects covered in Proficient Motorcycling. You don't ned to read the first book before you read this one but the author thinks it's a good idea. Paperback
Rebels With a Cause: We Ride the Harley by Gail DeMarco and R.W. "Reg" Kittrelle
This large book contains stories by Harley-Davidson owners including the famous such as Mary Hart, Mickey Rourke, Sonny Barger, Arlen Ness and Peter Fonda. Full color pictures and stories from over 60 enthusiastic riders describe the Harley lifestyle. Paperback
Rebuilding the Indian: A Memoir by Fred Haefele
The author buys a "basketcase" of Indian motorcycle parts. His quest for vintage parts to rebuild the Indian leads him to collaborate with collectors, bikers, and mechanics. In the process, he finds that he has re-created himself. Paperback
Walter's Review
Ridin' High, Livin' Free: Hell-Raising Motorcycle Stories by Ralph "Sonny" Barger
Sonny Barger of the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club has penned another best seller. His latest work is a collection of biker tales that cuts across the spectrum of biking. His 38 tales expertly collected and edited by Keith and Kent Zimmerman will amaze you, make you laugh, and reveal the inner workings of the biker lifestyle. Hardcover
Walter's Review
Rigby's Roads by Michael Charles Messineo
Jack Rigby is about to commit suicide. His life has splintered to the point that he has no control of it. He sits in his car just off the main road with a gun raised to his head. Then fate steps in and he is interrupted by a nearby gunfight between police and a biker gang. In a strange turn of events, he now fears for his life. One gang member is shot and struggles to reach Jack's car to get away. Jack befriends him and thereby begins an upward struggle to re-create his own life as he helps recover a bag containing secret codes important for the survival of the free world. Paperback
Walter's Review
A - H: (Biker Billy => Honda)
I - R: (Illustrated Antique => Rigby's Roads)
S - Z: (Street Strategies => Zen & the Art)
=> Page 3: S - Z: (Street Strategies => Zen & the Art)
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