Books

Hundreds of trips along the same stretch of common road—Interstate 94 between Fargo, ND and Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN—would for most be a long, tedious and all-too-familiar boring journey. These nine stories were written over eighteen years and reveal the value of riding more deeply and truly than common ‘I rode there’ memoirs. For this rider, traveling forth and back was an opportunity for meditation, contemplation, ideas—and a venue for making life’s greatest decisions. Softly inspiring stories that read as true as the endless Midwestern prairie itself. Stories about piloting a road and a life, accompanied closely by the thrum of a BMW r 65 and the essential feelings and experiences of pure motorcycling. By Rand Rassmussen. Softbound, 6"×9", 64 pp., b/w illus. USA.

Land travel in remote areas is not for the unprepared and this comprehensive book will go a long way to making the reader aware of the factors involved in such trips. Because of the expense and potential danger of such voyages, the years of experience gathered by the author and his contributing world riders is invaluable information for those contemplating an undertaking of such magnitude. Bike mods, what to bring, as well as paperwork and riding techniques are all covered in this well-written and authoritative book. Revised 6th edition with added content. By Chris Scott (who actually was the inventor of term “adventure motorcycling”).

Fixing Santa's Cycle, A Christmas Adventure

From 1928 to 1955 Vincent motorcycles were made in Stevenage, England. All over the world riders still cherish these bikes for their beauty and speed.

When Santa needs help fixing his Vincent, two young mechanics come to his rescue in this charming holiday tale.

This is rare thing: An actual inspiring overview-of-motorcycling ‘coffee table’ book. Its images will completely transport you into a world-spanning journey with riders of every kind from over thirty different countries. All of the photographs are by the wonderful Argentinian photographer Henry Von Wartenberg and span decades of his explorations, travels, and efforts to present the world’s entire spectrum of riders and places. This book is subdivided into five themed sections. Punctuating the electric quality of the images are captivating section-introducing essays from several thoughtful emissaries of motorcycling, including Peter Egan, Paul d’Orleans, Andy Goldfine and Dave Nichols. This is truly a wonderful gift for any rider. Hardcover. 192 pages. Color photos. 9.5”x11”.

Sneak Peek: Read Andy's essay on our blog »

Adventure Motorcyclist: Frazier Shrugged is a 21st century reflection of more than 120 years of adventure motorcycling and overlanding, a compendium of nearly 350 pages separating the wheat from the chaff in the world of adventure-seekers using motorcycles as the tool.

Motorcycle adventure and what an adventure is – defined! “If one has no regrets, but also would not want to do it a second time, one probably experienced an adventure.” (Mr. Subjective from the Aerostich Company)

Frazier, America’s best extreme motorcycle adventurer, possibly the world’s best, who coined the term “Motorcycle Adventurism,” laughed and shrugged in this definitive book when asked what is a motorcycle adventure or rider. He said, “Like pornography, I know a motorcycle adventure experience and an adventure motorcyclist when I see or meet one.”

Adventure Motorcyclist: Frazier Shrugged includes professional adventure motorcycle tips, tricks, survival techniques and failures, with the jaded and humorous worldly slant of a motorcycle journalist who has circumnavigated the world six times and ridden motorcycles for over 1,000,000 miles, literally to the ends of the earth.

For the dreamer wannabe, newbie, or advanced adventure rider, it’s an esoteric tome that some ADV riders will not have the mental bandwidth to wrap their head around, while motorheads and travelers alike will have the “Ahhhaaa” moments of recognition. Required reading for academics, historians, researchers and students of adventuring motorcycling. 6"x9" paperback, 358 pages.

The cover makes it look like every other Fitness/Diet/Self-Improvement book...but inside is an entirely different kind of fitness and health guide explaining how we eat, live and exercise…and why much of what we do is not good. The premise is simple: Humans evolved over 500,000 years and our eating + exercising practices are from only the last 30,000 years of post-agriculture civilization. Mis-match.

The inspirational, irreverent and often humorous text is fun and mind opening. There’s a lot of really great help here, and if you follow it you’ll probably be stronger, feel better, get sick less, and live longer…By Mark Sisson. Hardbound, 7.25"×9.5", 283 pp., b/w illus.

Drive head-on into the magnificent, maddening, mysterious world of transportation. Thousands, even millions, of miles are embedded in everything we do and touch. We live in a door-to-door universe that works so well most Americans are scarcely aware of it. And yet, everyday we suffer grinding commutes, a violent death every fifteen minutes, a dire injury every twelve seconds, and crumbling infrastructure. Now, the way we move ourselves and our stuff is on the brink of great change, as a new mobility revolution upends the car culture that, for better and worse, built modern America. A fascinating detective story, investigating the worldwide cast of supporting characters and technologies that have enabled us to move from here to there—past, present, and future. By Edward Humes. Hardbound. 6”x9”, 372 pp.

This is a collection of true stores and adventures that began in the 1950’s and continues to the present day. The tales are both hair-raising and hilarious, spanning many countries. During these journeys, the author traveled on planes, trains and automobiles, as well as on-foot, bicycle, motorbike and by boat (usually as crew or as captain). He had fun with explosives, and skirted armed conflicts. By Den Kaill. Softbound, 6”×9”, 226 pp., b/w photos.

Unbelievable feats of transportation are an everyday occurrence on the streets of Cambodia. Tuk tuks, cyclos, cars, trucks, motorbikes and bicycles transport loads that defy your wildest imagination. Photographers Hans Kemp and Conor Wall documented this unique street culture resulting in this amazing 144 page book loaded with incredible photographs that will forever change your definition of "packed."By Hans Kemp, Hardbound, 7.8"×7.8", 144 pp., color photos.

It has been forty years since Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was first published. Since then, it’s become a modern—and influential—classic. “Zen” is, at its core, about our human and cultural relationships with technology. Part travelogue, part philosophic inquiry and part personal memoir, it is so multi-layered that for its fortieth anniversary, Mark Richardson re-traced the ride, on the same bike, and produced a thoughtful and powerfully enlightening look at the incredible life of the reclusive author, and at the kaleidoscope of elements which make up this extraordinarily complicated work. Here is the stunningly compelling human story behind and within this classic. An amazing, compelling book. By Mark Richardson. Softbound, 6.5"×9.3", 288 pp., no illus.

No rider’s library should be without this classic account of one rider’s search for a philosophy of value and his quest for meaning in life. Beautifully written. Filled with ideas about sanity, quality and values. An amazing story.Seriously meditative. Justifiably famous. Most literate literature. By Robert M. Pirsig. Softbound, 4"×7", 430 pp., no illus.

In the long hot 'Summer of 88', the author packed up his motorcycle and pulled out of the garage with no destination or return date in mind. Oblivious to world events, he hit the road and never looked back. That trip would consume the entire summer, logging over twelve thousand miles from sea to sea and back. This is the account of that trip, with pictures, maps, historical and geographical notes, and rolling narrative. By Charles Schiereck. Softbound, 5.5”×8.5”, 222 pp., color & b/w illus.

This one is FUN! Several really neat short stories, and believe-it-or not a bunch of straightforward well-crafted poetry that will make you smile even if you’ve never ever-ever met a poem you’ve liked before. This is real, authentic moto-life from the inside, humbly written in a no-apologies, kick-ass bluntly funny style, by a long-time racer, mechanic and motorcycle shop business guy from the Bay Area. He’s literate as hell and calls them all just as they are, from cycle-bums, bikes and racers encountered, to the everyday moto-life experiences you’ll absolutely recognize.

A self-published little gem, filled with memories of working on and racing motorcycles at Daytona and a plethora of people and moto-related musings along the way. A great cover-to-cover bedtime, road trip or (…ahem) bathroom read. By Ed Milich. Softbound. 5.5"×8.25", 92 pp., b/w illus.

An evocative exploration of women motorcyclists, unveiled in an alluring layout of words ‘n pics, resulting in unconventional eradication of stereotypes about female riders. This is a stunning visual celebration of the varied cultures, lifestyles and passion for motorcycles and riding...from the sassy young racer girls to wind-roughened seniors, leather-clad outlaws to chic corporate climbers. The beautiful collection of photographs is complimented by intensely personal prose, offering a glimpse into the inspirations that guide women riders. One of those rare books that energizes the spirit and really is hard to put down. By Christina Shook. Hardbound, 8.25"×8.25", 154 pp., color & b/w photos.

In person John was simply and quietly outstanding and force-of-nature unstoppable. He was gentle, funny, strong, humble, kind, generous, self-aware, mischievous and absolutely indomitable. He was also — and by far — the very strongest, best and most accomplished long-distance endurance motorcycle rider in the world. He challenged himself to accomplish the impossible and did, again and again. His untimely death in a motorcycle accident on a clear, sunny Sunday morning (October 13th, 2013) was devastating to his family, his friends and the endurance riding community. This booklet contains some of Jonh's own writing about riding exploits, and a few of his many friends rememberances. It was created to help you get to know him a little. We sure miss him. By John Ryan and a few of his friends. Softbound. 6”x9”, color illus. 76pp.

Can an electric motorcycle be used for everyday commuting during the harsh Winter conditions experienced in Duluth, MN? Equipped with a tire studded Zero FX electric motorcycle five brave (or foolish) Aerostich test commuters chronicle the challenges, triumphs and everyday riding experiences while seeking the answer to that question. A fun read, with each ride account told by the test riders in their own words. More than just a test of machines, gear and riders in extreme conditions, this unique experiment proved that riding for everyday personal transportation in awful conditions is not only possible and can be done safely, it’s also is more fun than getting thru winter in conventional ways. By Kyle Allen, Randy Brody, Andy Goldfine, Rod Hafner, Gail Marshik and Bruce Truebenbach. Softcover. 6"×9", 136 pp., color & b&w photos.

Editorial Review, And You Thought Riding In The Rain Was Hardcore, City Bike

The definitive bible on the best ways to have a better riding and handling machine. Troubleshooting instructions for dirt, street and supermoto provide a solution for virtually every handling problem. In a short time you’ll have a terrific understanding of one of the most misunderstood aspects of motorcycle performance. Will inspire you to make your bike handle like a pro’s. By Paul Thede and Lee Parks. Softbound, 8.25"×10.5", 256 pp., color illus.

If you’d like to get more ‘hands on’, but are unsure where to start, this book provides a terrific amount of information on standard techniques used when repairing, overhauling, and fabricating parts. This excellent publication clearly demystifies the processes and methods used by mechanics. Stop reaching for that bigger hammer and see how it’s done properly. By John Fidell and Pete Shoemark. Hardbound, 8.25"×11", 143 pp., b/w illus.

Explains in plain English the principles behind electrical systems and how they work – and how to test, evalu ate, and troubleshoot your gremlins. A very helpful, detailed, well-written and concise guide for the weekend mechanic and experienced professional alike. By Tracy Martin. Softbound, 8.25"×10.5", 151 pp., b/w & color illus.

From the first Honda Cubs to the sophisticated technology of more modern bikes, this encyclopedic guide offers a bounty of useful and interesting information, including stunning photos, of more than 400 uniquely different Honda motorcycles. A detailed guide that includes specs, machine evaluations, riding impressions and unique collectible highlights of Honda motorcycles from 1958-1990. Riders, collectors and restoration enthusiasts alike will gain a deeper sense of the beauty, function, and evolution (as well as other useful tidbits) about this iconic collection of machines. By Bill Silver. Softbound, 6"×9", 224 pp., b/w illus.