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View Full Version : Books - "Twist of the Wrist" and "Total Control"



crash harry
5th September 2005, 14:46
I got all safety minded a while back after reading some reviews on the internet and bought 3 books on better riding - "A Twist of the Wrist" and "A Twist of the Wrist II" by Keith Code, and "Total Control" by Lee Parks. I trust many of you are aware of these titles, just thought a bit of a comparison between them might be helpful for someone who's considering handing over some hard earned cash.

I'd like to start by saying, anyone who has not read any of these type of books, and who's name is not Valentino Rossi, will likely learn *something*. Maybe not much, but it might save your arse you know?

I'll start with the original "Twist". To be honest, if you don't plan on spending much/any time on the track, give it a miss. There's a lot of good information in there, but you're better off with the other titles. Lots of info about determining the best lines and how to approach your racing career - I guess it's a bit advanced for a fairly relaxed street rider such as me.

"Twist II" on the other hand is exactly the book I was looking for. It takes few reads, with a bit of time spent on the bike in between, to really get what Code is getting at, but I definitely feel that it has the greatest quantity of relevant information for the street rider of all three books. I'm not the biggest fan of Code's writing style though.

"Total Control" is a much more approachable book. It is pitched a little lower than the "Twist" books, but I feel that it was the most useful to me. Lee Parks has obviously read the "Twist" books as part of his research into his own book (he credits Code quite a few times), and he distills the information nicely. In my opinion this is the book that every rider should be made to read.

In all cases, the techniques in these books have made my switch from the CBR250 to the 9R easier than I think it would have been otherwise. There is not much that is hard about riding a CBR250, you can do a lot wrong and get away with it, not much torque to worry about. Proper throttle control and countersteering technique makes the big bike a lot more manageable.

In conclusion, if you're only going to buy 1 book, I'd make it "Total Control" by Lee Parks. If you think you can spring for two, get "Twist II" by Keith Code as well, and if you want to improve lap times the original "Twist of the Wrist" might help you.

(disclamer - I have never ridden on the track I might be wrong about that...)

Anyone else who's read any of the above I'd be interestid in your opinions...

The Stranger
5th September 2005, 15:13
Total Control is excellent.
I credit this book with making my jump from the XV250 strait to the CBR1100XX easy.

Also read "Ride Hard Ride Smart" has some interesting perspectives on the Hurt study. Worth a read, but no where near as good as "Total Control" and a harder (a bit boring) read.

WRT
5th September 2005, 16:06
Have just got Twist and Twist II out from the library (finally arrived, been on back order for weeks!). Had started reading the first one last night, but from what you say, I might put that on one side and read Twist II first.

TwoSeven
5th September 2005, 17:42
If you like the twist books and want to do some practice, a chap called steve brouggy at aus superbike school runs classes. Haven't been on them myself but he seems to know what he's talking about. Would be worth hearing from someone who has been on them tho.

Also, sometimes, if you post in Keith Codes forum, you'll get an answer to your questions - all those guys are pretty sociable.

Motu
5th September 2005, 23:15
I've got Total Control from the library now,haven't read it yet,doesn't look too riveting...I'm reading the dirt bike book I have first.I had a revelation when I read Twist of the Wrist II,like most people do,the first book didn't do anything for me - he explained stuff I knew,but couldn't put into words,and when I tried the exercises on the road,found I was doing most of it anyway.

I gotta put a plug in for Huntly Library here - it has the most impresive motorcycling section I've ever seen....the automotive section has a whole isle,and 1/3 of it bikes.Maybe it pays to have MNZ in your home town.

Brian d marge
6th September 2005, 01:56
..I'm reading the dirt bike book I have first.

Motu WHats the name of the MX book you are reading ..is it by Eric Gorr by any chance ??
Stephen

bumsex
6th September 2005, 06:35
Have not read any of the mentioned books but I can reccomend "Sport riding techniques" by Nick Ienasatch.
Not sure if spelling there is correct but it is a really good book and has helped me a lot.

Squiggles
6th September 2005, 07:59
im on the waiting list for total control atm :)

tracyprier
6th September 2005, 15:27
Yep, I'd second the thumbs up for "sport riding techniques". Great book with up-to-date info relating to modern bikes. The author makes the point that many books on the subject were actually written back in the 80's or even earlier and that bikes etc have changed since then.

Hey I went from a 500cc Royal Enfield to a 2000 BMW 1100RT and this book helped make it an easy transition. Got mine out from Auckland central library.