Bike related reading - recommendations?

**Molly** · 29th January 2009, 18:38

Do you have any favourite bike related reads?

I can recommend Melissa Holbrook Pierson's 'The Perfect Vehicle' and two books by Richard La Plante: 'Hog Fever' and 'Detours'. Quite a nice compilation is 'She's a Bad Motorcycle' (corny title though), and I'm guessing just about everybody's read 'Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'? Still a good read if only to reinforce the distinction between what things 'are' and what they 'mean'.

You got any book recommendations?

Molly.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 29th January 2009, 21:11

Motocourse (any year)

Tim Hannas John Britten bio

MotoGP Technology by Neil Spaulding

I'd like to read a good bio of Mike Hailwood: I have "A Man called Mike" by Christopher Hilton. Its OK not great.

**Blackshear** · 29th January 2009, 21:14

Am reading Aaron Slights Autobiography at the moment.
Suggested to me by my dads best mate. Been a decent read so far.
Been hooking into all my childhood books I missed out on lately ha ha. Chomped through all the Harry potters last week, and a couple Artemis Fowls.
Gotta fill up those gaps.

Yeah. Otherwise, no idea? Lol.

**Usarka** · 29th January 2009, 21:16

i tought " a twist of the wrist " woulda had titties but........

**Beemer** · 30th January 2009, 09:18

One NOT to read is Kiwis Might Fly - Around New Zealand on two big wheels by Polly Evans - worst piece of rubbish I've ever tried reading! I was given it to review and had to admit defeat as it was so bad.

The Last Hurrah and One Good Run - the legend of Burt Munro are both good reads, as is Barry Sheene's biography.

**Tank** · 30th January 2009, 09:28

Jupiters Travels and dreaming of Jupiter both did the trick for me.

Read the long way down - its like the Mills and Boon of biking books.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 30th January 2009, 09:29

Originally Posted by Tank

Jupiters Travels and dreaming of Jupiter both did the trick for me.

Read the long way down - its like the Mills and Boon of biking books.

so Charley and Ewen WERE getting it on on those cold winter nights?

**Hitcher** · 30th January 2009, 09:34

I'm nearly finished reading Uneasy Rider: Travels Through A Mid-life Crisis by Mike Carter.

Don't attempt reading this unless you're male and older than 42. Otherwise you won't get it.

**Stirts** · 30th January 2009, 09:40

As I learner it was recommended I read this.....
Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well - by David L. Hough

I think it is a fantastic read, funny and informative also!

**portokiwi** · 30th January 2009, 10:02

penthouse has good reading on motorcycles

**Molly** · 30th January 2009, 16:15

Thanks for the recommendations. I'm following them up.

Just bought 'Pilgrimage On A Steel Ride' by Gary Paulsen on UK Amazon for 1p (+ three quid postage).

**Jaxi** · 30th January 2009, 19:26

Originally Posted by Hitcher

I'm nearly finished reading Uneasy Rider: Travels Through A Mid-life Crisis by Mike Carter.

Don't attempt reading this unless you're male and older than 42. Otherwise you won't get it.

I recently read this.... (I'm female, under 42!) and really enjoyed it... I got it too...
From a travelling perspective is was cool, especially when you can picture the places he's talking about and at times it was so funny it made me laugh out loud.

I read that Polly Evans one about riding around NZ too.... I didn't think it was that bad, but then I'm not a book critic, just read for enjoyment.

**James Deuce** · 30th January 2009, 19:47

Anything except "Zen and The Art of making your kid feel like a piece of shit".

That book has nothing to do with motorcycling and everything to do with coping with a self-absorbed parent.

I suspect people read it and the horror of "that man" is so hideous that everyone forgets the content and just remembers the title. Et Voila! Instant "motorcycling" classic.

**Molly** · 30th January 2009, 20:01

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Anything except "Zen and The Art of making your kid feel like a piece of shit".

Sadly, his son, Chris, was later killed when he was stabbed during a mugging so there's no happy ending either.

You're right though. There's a lot more to the book than the trip. Still think it's a worthwhile read.

**Dolph** · 30th January 2009, 20:16

as you'll see by the handle ! I'm reading ' Motorcycle Roadcraft,...also known as 'The Police Rider's Handbook to Better Motorcycling'. Full of stuff I just know will be usefull,...once I manage to find a decent, reasonably priced bike !!