Recommended reading...

[Wrynne]

Does anyone have any (serious) recommendations for reading material for a newbie? Something that would cover basic bike maintenance/mechanics, riding technique, and general things a beginner should know? I know very little regarding this subject , but I'm a pretty quick learner. I'd appreciate any help!

Thanks

And yes, I tried the search button but I couldn't find anything.

[Pittenger5]

I have a book called 101 Sportbike Performance Projects. Its not very detailed, but it covers a wide range. mostly for upgrades and stuff, but you can learn a lot from it

[viva_brasil]

I purchased A Twist of the Wrist II by Keith Code as well as Sport Riding Techniques by Nick Ienatsch when I started riding. I think Sport Riding Techniques is more basic and more newbie-oriented. Twist of the Wrist is more technical, but good to start understanding more about physics of riding and advanced technique.

edit- didn't catch the maintenance part at first, but for info on maintenance... hmm, i'd search "how-to's" on your bike-specific forum for that, or bike manual- that's always a great read.

[Danno]

I think this is a great overall introduction, The Essential Guide To Motorcycle Maintenance
http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Guide-Motorcycle-Maintenance/dp/1884313418/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226314630&sr=8-1"

I'd also suggest getting the factory service guide along with the Clymer and Haynes versions.

On riding, I like David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling books for winter reading.
http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Mot...6315133&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/More-Proficien...d_bxgy_b_img_b

[pmdepr]

On riding, I like David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling books for winter reading.
http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Mot...6315133&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/More-Proficien...d_bxgy_b_img_b

The Proficient Motorcycling book is good but beware - it falls apart like a coloring book very quickly.

[The Snowman]

Dumb answer, but pick up the service manual for your specific bike. They give detailed instruction on maintenance schedules and how to basically take the entire bike apart.

[eboos]

On riding, I like David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling books for winter reading.
http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Mot...6315133&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/More-Proficien...d_bxgy_b_img_b

+1 on Proficient Motorcycling. I read this book before I even got on a bike for the first time. I wouldn't recommend Twist of the Wrist II until you have a good amount of seat time as you may not gain much from it until you are riding at a level where these things start to make sence. Instead try Lee Parks' Total Control for performance riding techniques.

[Danno]

The Proficient Motorcycling book is good but beware - it falls apart like a coloring book very quickly.

Wow, thought it was just my big paws that created such a mess.

Even weirder, the first book is fine but the second book looks like a pile of pages.

[Dieseldan]

i enjoyed sport riding technique

[Ken C]

Finally, there is the single best book on this topic ever written. I know this even though I haven't even read it yet!

It is......


Riding in the Zone, by our own Ken Condon.

Seriously, Ken is a great rider and a greater teacher. I've had him as an instructor for a sport riding focused ERC course. When this is published, it will be a must buy.

Good Luck.

Thanks for the plug!

I just put together the website for the book. You can see some sample pages and a sample of the video. I will be adding more content, so stay tuned!

RidingInTheZone.com

[dontpanic]

You can have my copy of "A Twist of the Wrist - Volume II." PM me if you want it. (I challenge you to not laugh out loud when you get to "Pivot Steering.")

Ken- Recognize the RD?

D.

[Ken C]

I recognized it immediately! Good to see it in action. And good to see you here!

[dontpanic]

Thanks, bro. Good to be here! Hope to see you at a track day in '09! Good luck with the book, et al. I'll check out the site asap.

... and now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

[Omahastylin16]

proficient motorcycling and twist of the wrist are the two that i read, only took me like 6 months, im not a fast reader haha

[Wrynne]

Thanks for all the suggestions I now have a nice list of books, a few of which I just ordered.

proficient motorcycling and twist of the wrist are the two that i read, only took me like 6 months, im not a fast reader haha

I'm a quick reader, and I spend a lot of time on planes & in airports, so I've got oodles of time to read...still not sure if that's a good or bad thing

Thanks for the plug!

I just put together the website for the book. You can see some sample pages and a sample of the video. I will be adding more content, so stay tuned!

RidingInTheZone.com

This is definitely on the list when it comes out - looks awesome, I checked out all the sample pages.

You can have my copy of "A Twist of the Wrist - Volume II." PM me if you want it. (I challenge you to not laugh out loud when you get to "Pivot Steering.")

Ken- Recognize the RD?

D.

Sweet!!!! Thanks! PM Sent

[NEWTREADS]

I purchased A Twist of the Wrist II by Keith Code as well as Sport Riding Techniques by Nick Ienatsch when I started riding. I think Sport Riding Techniques is more basic and more newbie-oriented. Twist of the Wrist is more technical, but good to start understanding more about physics of riding and advanced technique.

edit- didn't catch the maintenance part at first, but for info on maintenance... hmm, i'd search "how-to's" on your bike-specific forum for that, or bike manual- that's always a great read.

+1 brazil

[loudog]

I think this is a great overall introduction, The Essential Guide To Motorcycle Maintenance
http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Guide-Motorcycle-Maintenance/dp/1884313418/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226314630&sr=8-1"

I'd also suggest getting the factory service guide along with the Clymer and Haynes versions.

On riding, I like David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling books for winter reading.
http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Mot...6315133&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/More-Proficien...d_bxgy_b_img_b

I agree. David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling books are clutch. There's material in there that can save your life.

[Danno]

I agree. David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling books are clutch. There's material in there that can save your life.

His discussions about physics are the first ones I've read that didn't bore me to tears.

When you consider moving along at brisk speeds with less rubber contacting the pavement than the size of your palm, understanding the physics can indeed save your life.

As my physics teacher once said (and I'm pretty sure they all use this line 'cause it's a good one) if you don't obey the laws of physics you're doing to have a really bad day.

[richw]

www.whitehorsepress.com

[kamikaze]

Continuing on the same thread....

Two strokes...

Since I am going back home, I plan to tune my old bike (Yamaha 135 cc 2 stroke). I plan to convert it to cafe racer. Anyone into performance tuning of two strokes?

This is the book I plan to buy:

Two-Stroke Performance Tuning By A. Bell

I will also pick up Twist of the Wrist

[LaRNZ]

I have a book called 101 Sportbike Performance Projects. Its not very detailed, but it covers a wide range. mostly for upgrades and stuff, but you can learn a lot from it

i got that, and TOTW II

[Ken C]

I just got an advance copy of Riding in the Zone today. It looks great, if I say so myself.

Bulk shipment due in January.
http://www.whitehorsepress.com/produ...oducts_id=5825

[kamikaze]

I just got an advance copy of Riding in the Zone today. It looks great, if I say so myself.

Bulk shipment due in January.
http://www.whitehorsepress.com/produ...oducts_id=5825

Will there be a PDF version of the book? I remember you told us about this book during the classroom session at TTD. I will not be around till January.

[Ken C]

Will there be a PDF version of the book? I remember you told us about this book during the classroom session at TTD. I will not be around till January.

I don't know if Whitehorse plans on a pdf version. I scanned some pages and posted them on my website. There is a video clip there as well.

www.ridinginthezone.com

[Paul_E_D]

Continuing on the same thread....

Two strokes...

Since I am going back home, I plan to tune my old bike (Yamaha 135 cc 2 stroke). I plan to convert it to cafe racer. Anyone into performance tuning of two strokes?

This is the book I plan to buy:

Two-Stroke Performance Tuning By A. Bell

That's pretty much the bible right there. It offers a fair bit more than you need, but the basics are there as well.

I'm a fairly decent 2-stroke tuner, so if you have specific questions, let me know.