Motorcycling Books and where to find them.

[Ghost Lemur]

The heading is pretty self explanitory.
What books do you guys recommend, and where can I find them?
I've already heard mention of the Twist of the Wrist series, but don't know where to get them.

The main reason for these books and subsequent reading is I'm a n00b rider (don't know what the biker slang for that is). But want to make sure I'm not learning bad habits. I can't really afford proper training so figure reading and practicing with the Rodent will have to do.

[Kickaha]

Try Hi Tech books in Colombo street or Tecnical books in the Windmill centre at Riccarton.

[Bob]

Do you have a DVD player? If so, Twist of the Wrist is available on DVD.

Not sure if the California Superbike School (The UK branch) will ship to NZ, but there is a link to their website within this review (http://www.bobpickett.co.uk/bkit/trainingtwist.htm)

Come to think of it, you should be able to order all of their products via their site.

Another book that was good - but not sure if it is still in print - was the police roadcraft book.

[erik]

A couple of books that I think are particularly good are:

Title : Proficient motorcycling : the ultimate guide to riding well /
Author : Hough, David L., 1937-
Publisher : Irvine, Calif. : Bow Tie Press, c2000.
Subject Heading(s) : Motorcycling.
Notes : At head of title: From Motorcycle consumer news.
An anthology of articles from Motorcycle Consumer News with abundant photos and clear line drawings. Hardly a word of wisdom here is a surprise to a rider with any experience; but every word of caution is worth revisitation.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 251) and index.

and

Title : Motorcycles : fundamentals, service, and repair /
Author : Johns, Bruce A.
Publisher : Tinley Park, Ill. : Goodheart-Willcox Company, c1999.


The first one is rider training - how to improve your skill - and is geared towards riding on the road rather than the racetrack. I didn't read the whole book (it's pretty big) but what I did read was well written, explaining stuff well and in an entertaining fashion.
I have heard people mention the Twist of the Wrist books here before, and I've had them out of the library before and had a read of them. But I think they're not a whole lot of good for learner riders, they seem mostly geared towards racing. I think the Profficient Motorcycling book is more useful for road riding.

The second book is a general motorcycle maintenance book that I've found useful since I can't get a manual for my bike. It's pretty much a course in motorcycle mechanics.

I don't know what your local library is like, but I got these two (and the Twist of the Wrist) books out from the library.

You could try getting them off Amazon.com, or maybe see how much it'll cost for a local bookshop to order them, but you might find Amazon is cheaper.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Old but still relevant, and possibly findable in a library, are:

Advanced Motorcycling: Institute of Advanced Motorists Manual, Ed. Ian Webb, Pub. MacDonald and Jane's, London

The Motorcyclist's Handbok: The complete guide to biking, David Minton, Pub. Pan Books

Ride and Really Live: A guide to safer and more enjoyable motorcycle riding, Pedr Davis and Mike McCarthy, Pub. Angus and Robertson

Go down to your local secondhand bookstore and have a fossick around... You ought to be able to pick something up for a couple of dollars....

[Cajun]

I got the twist of the wrist vol 1 & 2 at a book store in town the one beside, old imax theather place,

If anyone has it on dvd, i would love to borrow it if possible

[Hoon]

Get any books you need online from Amazon...might take a bit longer to turn up but they have everything at half the price you would pay in a shop.

Also those of you that don't have the Twist of the Wrist books, most public libraries have them so join up and reserve them - doesn't cost a cent!!!!

[James Deuce]

Small's Books and Models
39-41 Ghuznee St Wellington
0-4-384 8477

When Pat answer's the phone, tell him Jim Walsh sent you.

One of my favourite Motorcycle related books is "Leanings", by Peter Egan. It's anecdotal blather collected from his "Cycle" Magazine column. He has a really accessible writing style, and likes all the stuff I do: bikes, aircraft, old cars, and music. :)

Only place I could get it from was Pat.

[Youngjim]

Try "The Bikers Bible" by Graham Allardice its all about fun and survival on road going motorcycles.
Written by a Kiwi for New Zealand conditions.
Available from Whitcouls and other local book stores priced around $40-$45
Its a real good read and covers everthing.

[MikeL]

Try "The Bikers Bible" by Graham Allardice its all about fun and survival on road going motorcycles.
Written by a Kiwi for New Zealand conditions.
Available from Whitcouls and other local book stores priced around $40-$45
Its a real good read and covers everthing.

I agree. It's got lots of excellent advice.

For other books just go to Amazon. I've ordered heaps of books and DVDs and even with shipping costs it's always cheaper than buying locally. You often get a choice between new and second-hand copies, which can save you even more. Shipping usually takes about a week, but I've had stuff arrive within 3 days.

[Youngjim]

Thanks Mike I will try that

[geoffm]

I got the twist of the wrist vol 1 & 2 at a book store in town the one beside, old imax theather place,

If anyone has it on dvd, i would love to borrow it if possible

I have it on VHS somewhere. Must get around to setting up the VCR -> TV tuner and capping it. The book was better
Geoff

[dangerous]

Try "The Bikers Bible" by Graham Allardice its all about fun and survival on road going motorcycles.
Written by a Kiwi for New Zealand conditions.

A very good book, there is a lot in there that I can learn from and I've been on the road for over 20yrs. I got my copy from Eric the Hood's they were giving them away at the time also seen it at Scuzbolts but thay are likely to sell it to you for twice what you paid for the 250RS.

[Yarg]

Could also try www.megarider.com
This is NZ based outfit with some good advice on riding etc.
You can also contact them on nzmscon@paradise.net.nz
good hunting :scooter:

[LB]

One of my favourite Motorcycle related books is "Leanings", by Peter Egan. It's anecdotal blather collected from his "Cycle" Magazine column. He has a really accessible writing style, and likes all the stuff I do: bikes, aircraft, old cars, and music. :)


Yes, this is a great book. I got my copy from Amazon.

Also in Wgtn I find Capital Books at 23 Waring Taylor Street (ph 473 9358) a good source of books about bikes. Tim Skinner is the manager, a nice guy who knows quite a bit about bikes and riders.

Incidentally, I must go there and suss out the new biography on Barry Sheene. I dropped some very subtle (read: brick) hints to Hamish for my birthday but looks like I've got to buy it myself.

[matthewt]

Incidentally, I must go there and suss out the new biography on Barry Sheene. I dropped some very subtle (read: brick) hints to Hamish for my birthday but looks like I've got to buy it myself.

If Hamish doesn't get your hints (yeah right) I've got a copy you can read.

[LB]

If Hamish doesn't get your hints (yeah right) I've got a copy you can read.

Matt - I ordered my copy from Capital Books on Friday - they're a week or two away apparently - where did you get yours from? I like books so I'm happy to buy one thanks.

[Posh Tourer :P]

I dropped some very subtle (read: brick) hints to Hamish for my birthday but looks like I've got to buy it myself.

It might have been a brick to you, but the powers of the male species often transmogrify these things into mozzies as they get closer to the individual.... You'll have to get a lot bigger than a brick to have any effect.
The strength of this power seems to vary among members of the species, but from this evidence, Hamish seems to be about normal....

[Holy Roller]

Try your local library they usually have a good selection of books on bikes if not you can request a certain book for them to get in. I like to have a good look through a book before I put up some of my hard earned cash.

[matthewt]

Matt - I ordered my copy from Capital Books on Friday - they're a week or two away apparently - where did you get yours from? I like books so I'm happy to buy one thanks.

can't actually remember, saw it cheap somewhere so just picked it up. Probably take me a few years to get around and actually read it.

[Motu]

I'm not telling where I get my bike books,it's hard to find anyway.... :Oops: bugger....

[pete376403]

"Zen and the Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance" is about a lot of things but not much about motorcycle maintenance. It's an OK read, though

[LB]

It might have been a brick to you, but the powers of the male species often transmogrify these things into mozzies as they get closer to the individual.... You'll have to get a lot bigger than a brick to have any effect.
The strength of this power seems to vary among members of the species, but from this evidence, Hamish seems to be about normal....
PT: I wrote down the title, the author, and the price, and gave it to him on a piece of paper saying "if anyone asks you what I want for my birthday, I'd really like this book".

However I don't mind that he didn't buy it for me as he does other things for me - like spending a couple of hours in the gragre (did I spell that right?) in the middle of the freezing frosty night fitting my duel feed Scottoiler to the new bike.

Matt: I'm wondering if you've got a different book to the one that's just come out - I might have a squizz at it some time.

[gav]

Got one called "The Art & Science of Motorcycle Racing" by I think Peter Clifford and Kenny Roberts, getting a bit old now, but always had some good info in it, actually must dig it out for another browse :msn-wink: