Good books on riding technique

[Honclfibr]

With VIR fast approaching and the new season arriving on it's heels, I'd like to do a bit of reading on riding technique. I've read David Hough's "Proficient Motorycling" and liked it a lot, also read Keith Code's TOTW2 but didn't get as much out of it, I just don't care as much for Code's analogy-based approach.

Any recommendations for some good reading, preferrably with a track focus?

[Paul_E_D]

Nick Ianesch's book is supposed to be good, as well as Reg Pridmore's. I haven't read them yet though...

In my experience, it's all in Code's TOTW2. It may not make much sense til you've done some racing or at least ridden the same track a lot.

I recommend re-reading it and actually trying to DO the exercises he proposes, like drawing the corners of you favorite track, and putting in your line, markers, etc. That's what every fast guy knows that you don't. I recently read an article about Colin Edwards best laps. He said it's like connect the dots from marker to marker to within an inch! Nothing about fancy riding techniques.

If you've never been to a track, then just focus on the basics. Slow, look, press, and roll. And be aware that you need to develop a detailed map of the track in you head, and plan your way around it so that at speed, you don't have to think about it.

Code also has a wide angle focus exercise that's helpful..

[Degsy]

I second Paul's comments.

Suffice to say that Keith Code's book are excellent but they are VERY heavy reading. He analyzes cornering technique to death, but if you can read it and stay awake you will learn a lot.

Derek

[Ken C]

Nick's book is good as are Code's books (but hard to read-he needs a good editor) . But, I'd recommend Lee Park's book "Total Control". It's well written and easily understood.

[OreoGaborio]

how bout online stuff for us cheap bastids anyone have any good links?

EDIT: i've got this one bookmarked from a while back - http://www.msgroup.org/DISCUSS.asp
of course, this one's pretty freakin basic, not exactly stuff to prep you for the track.

[Ken C]

I write articles for Motorccle Consumer News. It may be worth checking out.

Here's a sample article I wrote a while back.
http://www.kencondon.com/mcn.html

[OreoGaborio]

nice little website ya got there, Ken... i didn't know you were an artist & from the looks of it, i've seen ALOT of your stuff in magazines... good for you, bro

and nice pics of you at loudon & deals gap... some awesome shots in there

[Ken C]

Thanks.

If you want to see a bunch of photos from our family trip through CO, UT, and the Grand Canyon, go here:
http://www.kencondon.com/sites.html

[OreoGaborio]

excelent, bro.... who says ya need a mini-van to take a trip like that

oh, and how KICKASS was Arches NP and Moab UT..... FRIGGIN UNREAL isn't it? i went there a few years ago & had a BLAST. most incredible scenery i've ever seen, i shot 8 rolls of film

[Ken C]

It was awesome!!

[FireFly]

Originally posted by Ken C
Nick's book is good as are Code's books (but hard to read-he needs a good editor) . But, I'd recommend Lee Park's book "Total Control". It's well written and easily understood.

I just picked up a copy of Total Control. THis is a great book. I have trouble putting it down when I start reading it. Alot of good info in this book, and its user friendly. GReat suggestion Ken, thanks

[Kham]

Originally posted by Ken C
Nick's book is good as are Code's books (but hard to read-he needs a good editor) . But, I'd recommend Lee Park's book "Total Control". It's well written and easily understood.

i have that book but haven't got into that yet. listening to Code's CD over and over is actually getting thru my head, seems to make a lot of sense.

[benVFR]

If anyone wants to read Nick Ienatsch's book I have that and if you come by to get it you're welcome to borrow it.

Same thing for Twist of the Wrist 1 and Twist of the Wrist 2, as well as the MSF book.. (Forget the exact title)

Twist of the Wrist 1 is SO focused on racing I got very little out of it when I read it. There are some key concepts I was able to pick out but I just haven't been to the track enough to really work on the techniques.

If you are really focused on the track that book is worth reading IMO. The 2nd book talks about specific issues like most other motorcycle texts, the first book talks more about setting up a mental framework to understand your riding and solve your problems on your own.

The Ienatsch book is like a moto-learning porno. It has by far the best photographs of any of the educational books I've read. I'm not sure it offers all that much in terms of learning though if you've read a bunch of other books.

[skiierx]

Ben,

When can I borrow total control?

Jamie

[IanfromMA]

Originally posted by benVFR
The Ienatsch book is like a moto-learning porno. It has by far the best photographs of any of the educational books I've read. I'm not sure it offers all that much in terms of learning though if you've read a bunch of other books.

i went into barnes and noble to get my first riding book. i was looking for total control, but i would have had to order it, and Ienatsch's book was perdy, so i picked that up instead. The other books they carried, as mentioned before seemed way too in depth for me...i'm just a newb.

[ancosta]

Proficient Motorcycling and More Proficient Motorcycling were incredible books. Not only suggested but required reading in my opinion. You can pick it up every now and then and get something good out of it that either you forgot about or you realize you could do a better job of.

Twist of the Wrist was an excellent book to read, I really didn't understand how much I got out of it until starting track days. The theories really started to click and it all came together with the track instruction.

His writing is completely atrocious however. Putting in definitions for basic english vernacular is retarded. A good editor would do wonders for the book!

Question for experienced racers who know of Code's theories and suggested techniques - I have heard from multiple occasions that what he teaches is considered as dangerous. I'd like to understand more about it and what exactly is the dangerous part, or the part up for debate anyhow...

[HBerry]

Read "Follow TC around VIR and have him Tell you whut after."

TC was a huge help for me on south this weekend and following David and Darrell around, along with listening to Pete aka "Jeff Wood Jr." helped as well.

[OreoGaborio]

Hey, I told ya I'd help ya as much as I could, didn't I? Next time i'll keep my helpful comments to myself & just make fun of you

[HBerry]

Originally posted by OreoGaborio
Hey, I told ya I'd help ya as much as I could, didn't I? Next time i'll keep my helpful comments to myself & just make fun of you

When did I say you weren't helpful dickwad? You usually have a good mix of both, plus you love helping other people out..but be careful, what are you gonna do when I'm as fast as you?

[OreoGaborio]

when did i say you said i wasn't helpful?

and when you're as fast as me i'm gonna fukin PAAHHHTAY!!! cuz that's what I ultimately want to have happen

[HBerry]

I'm gonna throw my leathers on tuesday and work on my cornerning on the pit bike

[OreoGaborio]

I tell yoo wut... yoo bedder tuk yer head under dat dere windscreen, little buddy