Motorcycling Books and Other Fine Literature

[butcher bergs]

During a PM conversation with another member, a question had come to my mind.

How many riders here have read a riding technique type of book or found captivating literature about advanced riding techniques?

I'm talking about books like "Total Control" by Lee Parks, for example.

I liked that book so much so that I've read it cover to cover numerous times. There is sage advice contained in those pages, both for rider and passenger alike. I always highly recommend "Total Control" to anyone looking to actually learn something about the art of handling a motorcycle.

Currently, I'm on my second book "Smooth Riding: The Pridmore Way" by Reg Pridmore.

I can't say I particularly care for the way that book is written and there are alot of things I disagree with, but in contrast, there is also very good advice and considerations contained in those pages as well. I know after reading that book I will certainly be trying new things this year...even the things I don't necessarily agree with. My thoughts are "Why not? Afterall, I'm not the author of any book."

I'd really like to continue finding more literature to read and I'm interested in what other riders have found as a good read on their path to acheiving certain riding skills.

It doesn't necessarily have to be race-oriented or even advanced rider techniques...I want to welcome all types of writing you might recommend to someone, be it n00b or seasoned racer.

Please, I request in advance that your posts in this thread stay on topic and relevant to the subject.

[reiobard]

I have Twist of the Wrist, Riders handbook, and Sportriding techniques in PDF Format. If you want to check those out then shoot me a PM and i will figure out how to send them to you (they might be too big to send through E-mail).

[eboos]

I read Profecient Motorcycling the months before getting my first bike. I thought it helped prepare me quite a bit. I later bought Total Control, Twist of the Wrist 1 and 2, Trackday Handbook, and several others.

I find myself going back to Twist of the Wrist a lot and finding things in it that are making a whole lot more sense to me. I haven't picked up Total Control lately, but I will revisit it soon.

[Paul_E_D]

My favorite is TOTW2. But Pridmore has some interesting ideas that have born out on the track for me. Especially the "take the tightest line possible" philosophy. As I got faster, my line got tighter and tighter without thinking about it. might have helped me to realize this earlier. It also contrasts with Codes late turn in. But Code just has so many aspects of technique nailed, that I give his book the nod as most useful.

[eboos]

It's funny that you mentioned that. I was just going over something in TOTW1 that talked about flat corners. It said that for those corners to go ahead and turn in early and hold the inside because you will just open yourself up to be passed otherwise.

[Jim]

fuck that, who reads

[Paul_E_D]

Whoops, I should qualify that. Each corner needs to be analyzed to discover the optimum line. It's relative to bike and pace. Early and late entrance might be distinguished by as little as 2 feet once you're nearing max corner speed and a competitive laptime. When you're still learning, that may be a difference of 8 feet or more. It's relative.

Tightest possible line for max cornerspeed and earliest throttle application might be better wording. Also, it can get thrown out the window depending on what follows the turn. It's something to consider and experiment with.

DBconz, good riders read

[legalspeed]

Although not a riding technique book, I found Sportbike Perfomance Handbook by Kevin Cameron very helpful in understanding the motorcycle's mechanical aspects.

[Paul_E_D]

That's another good one on my shelf along with 2 stroke performance tuning by bell.

[schleppy]

Not really "advanced" stuff per se, but a great read:
Amazon.com: Sport Riding Techniques: How To Develop Real World Skills for Speed, Safety, and Confidence on the Street and Track: Books: Nick Ienatsch,Kenny Roberts,Tom Morgan

I still pick it up and read it from time to time. Very well written, and great diagrams explaining braking/traction circle, cornering, etc.

[akira700]

Good thread... especially during winter!

Yeah, I think Twist of the Wrist 2 is very good
at getting one to analyze and feel what's going on.
I read it over and over.
I like Code because he's about not just technique but
how you feel, to get that technique to work.

Of course like all things you have to get things wired enough
so that you can have the extra room for analyzing.
Its like the 10 dollar analogy. If you are spend the full amount just
getting the braking done and making sure you are not running
wide and worrying about your survival responses, then you
aren't going to have alot left to be analyzing anything.

[CMG241]

I have Twist of the Wrist, Riders handbook, and Sportriding techniques in PDF Format. If you want to check those out then shoot me a PM and i will figure out how to send them to you (they might be too big to send through E-mail).

PM sent!

[Doc]

Not really "advanced" stuff per se, but a great read:
Amazon.com: Sport Riding Techniques: How To Develop Real World Skills for Speed, Safety, and Confidence on the Street and Track: Books: Nick Ienatsch,Kenny Roberts,Tom Morgan

I still pick it up and read it from time to time. Very well written, and great diagrams explaining braking/traction circle, cornering, etc.

I just got that for Xmas from my Stock car racing brother in law. Good read as well.

[Dangerz0ne]

Not really "advanced" stuff per se, but a great read:
Amazon.com: Sport Riding Techniques: How To Develop Real World Skills for Speed, Safety, and Confidence on the Street and Track: Books: Nick Ienatsch,Kenny Roberts,Tom Morgan

I still pick it up and read it from time to time. Very well written, and great diagrams explaining braking/traction circle, cornering, etc.

+1 This book is awesome. A lot of info.

[butcher bergs]

Lots of good stuff so far! Well except for Jim's little gem of a post.......that's a Gixxah-rider for ya...

reiobard- Any chance you could burn that onto a disc?


I might be taking a trip to Barnes & Nobles sooner than I thought!

Keep 'em coming...

[FireFly]

+++++1 Total Control iS a GREAT BOOK. One of the most helpful things i got from that book was the section were Lee talks about relaxing ur outside arm while in a lean so ur arms dont fight for control during a turn, the pics showed the subtle differences of the technique. Keith Code's twist of the wrist ALSO AWESOME>though ive heard some people find it harder to grasp, who are new to riding.

[CMG241]

reiobard- Any chance you could burn that onto a disc?

..

I gave him a ftp site to send it to me, if I get it I can do for you

[butcher bergs]

I gave him a ftp site to send it to me, if I get it I can do for you

Sweet! Very neighborly of you!

LMK