4
I just finished reading the book "The Upper Half of the Motorcycle 'on the unity of rider and machine'" written by Bernt Spiegle. It's been out for a few years but was recently translated into English. I figured I'd share if anyone is interested in some non-fiction motorcycle literature other than the instructional books.
I should start by saying, I am not a college educated person and some of this book is over my head and may be more familiar to someone who is. Anyway the book is split into a few sections. The first section introduces the reader into the human brain. More specifically it's development and workings. It starts with the evolution of the brain through history, the goes on to explain what actions are built into out brains when we are born. These actions are called "programs" that we naturally follow. This section personally opened my eyes up to how the brain works. Basically everything you do (that isn't your brain from birth) from typing to brushing your teeth is a program that a person must learn. Riding involves hundreds of the programs learned over time. Everything from pulling your leg onto the peg to shifting isn't something we to without learning it.
We also have built in programs, breathing, swallowing, and blinking are things we never have to learn. The second section touches on these built in programs and our actions as well as discussing mans use of tools. It further explores the idea of a motorcycle as a tool. One specific example of our interaction with tools really blew my mind. Basically if you take something like a pencil and move it along a piece of paper you don't feel the pencil in your hand you feel the tip of the pencil meeting the paper. With practice the same feeling can be had with a motorcycle tires on the pavement. The third section further explores the idea of a motorcycle and rider becoming integrated as one system instead of a person a piece of luggage along for the ride. The fourth and fifth sections cover specific practical techniques and training one can use to become a better motorcyclist.
Overall I really liked the book. It was a nice change from the strange, "Twist of the Wrist" writing. I wouldn't call myself a reader by any means, but the excerpts and real world examples kept me interested in the book to the end. The book gets very heady at some times, and I had to reread a number of paragraphs to understand them but it really opened up my eyes not only to how we ride motorcycle but how we learn and do any action. I'd recommend it to anyone with an above average interest in riding, which is basically anyone who is on this forum.
Reply With Quote
Jackie bought it for me 
