Books

This founding father was a witty guy, and had a great bawdy side. The writings in Fart Proudly reveal the rogue who lived peaceably within the philosopher and statesman. Included are “The Letter to a Royal Academy”; “On Choosing a Mistress”; “Rules on Making Oneself Disagreeable”; and other jibes. Franklin’s irrepressible wit found an outlet in perpetrating hoaxes, attacking marriage and other sacred cows, and skewering the English Parliament. These essays endure as both hilarious satire and a timely reminder of the importance of a free press. He really wrote this—sure makes me proud. 8.5"×5.5", 128 pp.

Four guys who hang out at a curbside bar owned by ‘Joe’ and their often hilarious antics and adventures give a glimpse into French cafe’ racer culture of the 70’s and provide more than a few laughs along the way. Chased by cops, taunting each other into overstepping their riding ability, happily tearing down a stranded rider’s Guzzi (even though it only ran out of gas), and experimenting with Joe’s cocktail mix in their fuel are just some examples of the hijinks that will have you laughing at, and with, this crew. By Pierre Vedel. Hardbound, 9"×11.75", 48 pp., color illus.

Twenty years worth of motorcycle journalism, minus the crap. A great collection of articles by Mark Gardiner that is a fun, witty read, emphatically providing an answer to any non-riding-skeptics question of ”What is so great about motorcycles?”...The people who ride them of course. Includes previously banned rants and inspiring feature stories. By Mark Gardiner. Softbound. 372 pp.

Because #2 can be even more satisfying than #1, this is an all-new second version ready to take it’s rightful place on the back of your throne, stacked with the latest motorcycle magazines and your favorite dog-eared mail-order riding gear catalog. Filled with 365 enlightening bits of moto-trivia and snarky commentary sure to pass the time during your daily constitution. By Mark Gardiner. Softbound, 5”x8”, 272 pp.

A fun read and great way to kill a couple of minutes a day, not to mention clean up the pile of old reading material on the back of your toilet. Open the cover to find 365 unique entries, one for every day, of moto-trivia sure to keep you entertained while you take care of, um, business. By Mark Gardiner. Softbound, 244 pp., b/w illus.

The true-life story about a mid-career professor who unexpectedly becomes immersed in the world of motorcycling. Engaging essays filled with humor and insight, recounting the authors discovery of the complexities and pleasures of the moto life. Ride along on his life changing journey. A great read both for those who have already travelled down a similar personal path, and those who are looking for guidance about facing fears, finding like-minded companions, gaining riding mastery, and developing a changed sense of self. By Stuart A. Kirk. 5”x8”, 184 pp., b/w illus.

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These are among the best stories ever written about a life of motorcycle riding, motorcycling sub-cultures and motorcycle people. Bob’s a gifted writer whose motorcycle- related accomplishments are both numerous and impressive (see below).This is a two-volume collection of his best stories, over thirty years of the the cream of his most popular published work.The range is immense, from provocative exposés of industry and club corruption, stupidity and hypocrisy... to brilliantly deep character studies and absorbingly funny and elegiac essays about trips, experiences, adventures and absurdities. Altogether the set includes more than sixty of Bob’s long-unavailable articles and stories.The stories were originally published all over the place: Motorcyclist magazine,The Iron Butt Association News, Rider magazine, BMW Riders Association’s On The Level, BMW Motorcycle Owners of America Owner’s News and many others. This is among the best-ever writing about intersection of motorcycles, peoples and cultures. Bob’s a moto-culture writing genius.This is an unforgettable collection. If you like reading funny, precise, heretical and brilliantly compelling stuff, read this book. By Bob Higdon. Softbound, 6”×9”, b/w illus.

Scan Bob’s moto-life in bullets, then buy his book:

• 1987 Set record for shortest time to touch all contiguous U.S. states
• 1989 Circumnavigated Australia with Mike Kneebone
• 1990-1991 Worked with the AMA and other attorneys to force Virginia to open HOV lanes to motorcyclists
• 1991-2009 Wrote 164 columns for BMW RA magazine
• 1991-2009 BMW MOA high-mileage contests results: 1st (3), 2nd (2), 3rd (1)
• 1992 Named AMA Road Rider of the Year
• 1993-1995Vice-president of BMW MOA club
• 1996 Inducted into BMWBMW Hall of Fame
• 2001 Completed the Iron Butt Rally
• 2004 from the Pacific to the Atlantic across Siberia, Russia, and Europe
• 2003-2008 Rode to every county courthouse in the continental U.S. (3,069)
• 2014 Rode from Las Vegas NV to Prudhoe Bay AK to Annapolis MD
• 2018 Failed for the 5th time to reach Ushuaia,Argentina by motorcycle

These are among the best stories ever written about a life of motorcycle riding, motorcycling sub-cultures and motorcycle people. Bob’s a gifted writer whose motorcycle- related accomplishments are both numerous and impressive (see below).This is a two-volume collection of his best stories, over thirty years of the the cream of his most popular published work.The range is immense, from provocative exposés of industry and club corruption, stupidity and hypocrisy... to brilliantly deep character studies and absorbingly funny and elegiac essays about trips, experiences, adventures and absurdities. Altogether the set includes more than sixty of Bob’s long-unavailable articles and stories.The stories were originally published all over the place: Motorcyclist magazine,The Iron Butt Association News, Rider magazine, BMW Riders Association’s On The Level, BMW Motorcycle Owners of America Owner’s News and many others. This is among the best-ever writing about intersection of motorcycles, peoples and cultures. Bob’s a moto-culture writing genius.This is an unforgettable collection. If you like reading funny, precise, heretical and brilliantly compelling stuff, read this book. By Bob Higdon. Softbound, 6”×9”, b/w illus.

Scan Bob’s moto-life in bullets, then buy his book:

• 1987 Set record for shortest time to touch all contiguous U.S. states
• 1989 Circumnavigated Australia with Mike Kneebone
• 1990-1991 Worked with the AMA and other attorneys to force Virginia to open HOV lanes to motorcyclists
• 1991-2009 Wrote 164 columns for BMW RA magazine
• 1991-2009 BMW MOA high-mileage contests results: 1st (3), 2nd (2), 3rd (1)
• 1992 Named AMA Road Rider of the Year
• 1993-1995Vice-president of BMW MOA club
• 1996 Inducted into BMWBMW Hall of Fame
• 2001 Completed the Iron Butt Rally
• 2004 from the Pacific to the Atlantic across Siberia, Russia, and Europe
• 2003-2008 Rode to every county courthouse in the continental U.S. (3,069)
• 2014 Rode from Las Vegas NV to Prudhoe Bay AK to Annapolis MD
• 2018 Failed for the 5th time to reach Ushuaia,Argentina by motorcycle

Take in the color and detail of a rider’s life vividly realized, richly observed, and transcendently described. During his tenure at Motorcyclist magazine, Jack Lewis has touched readers around the world not only through his incandescent prose riffs and self-effacing humor, but also through a consistent and deeply felt humanity. This collection of magazine features and columns alongside personally published web pieces and new material may be populated by motorcycles, but it centers around the varied experiences of riders (and their tolerant keepers) in a world where risk is a bet you make with yourself for purposes that transcend mere recreation. Head Check is – beneath the sarcastic wit, wide-eyed fear, profound humility, and occasional descents into scatology – a collection of love stories. Recommended for riders, readers, passengers, and humans. By Jack Lewis. Softbound, 5.2”x8”, 304 pp.

A picture is worth a thousand words and this beautifully designed book is filled with over 300 stunning images, captured 40 years ago on Kodachrome slides during Ted Simon's epic 1970's motorcycle journey around the world. The iconic story was told in the book Jupiter's Travels, and now can be relived in a vivid new photographic journey. Photos from another age, looking as sharp and colorful today as the day they were captured, views directly from Ted's perceptive eye.By Ted Simon. Hardcover. 256 pp., 10"×10". Color photos.

An autobiography of the early days of Superbike racing, telling a personal account of the early racing days when professional racers in the sport were weekend warriors who traveled on shoestring budgets and fueled their bikes with passion and (if they were good) a few dollars of winnings. Includes racing tales with legends like Reg Pridmore, Wes Cooley, Mike Baldwin, and Keith Code. Also chronicles Paul Ritters tragic accident, nearly 20-years after retiring from top level racing, that left him without the use of his legs. A courageous and inspiring story as remarkable as his success on the track. An engrossing and inspirational tale appreciated by anyone who loves motorcycles of appreciates a good story. By Paul Ritter. Hardbound, 6”x9”, 256 pp., b/w illus.

Grab your fedora, throw your letter bag over your shoulder and prepare to embark on forty great archaeological adventures to chase down forgotten, hidden and neglected motorcycle classics squirreled away in some pretty unusual places. Treasure awaits in the quest to unearth an Indian in the attic, a Ducati in the basement, a Vincent in the barn and additional tales of intrigue, hoarding, dead ends and mother lodes. Filled with page turning suspense to find out what lies around the next corner, under the tarp, or in the deepest recesses of a dark and abandoned building. Keep the bullwhip handy, and your eye out for Venomous Velocettes. By Tom Cotter. Hardbound, 6.25"×9.25", 255 pp., color photos.

Riding free in the 21st Century or How to be a Hipster-Harley guy. Introduces the reader to a new generation of bikers who are donning leathers and twisting the throttle of stripped-down motorcycles, looking to quell their thirst for adventure. In this world of declining earning power and fiercely enforced policical correctness, the anti-hero figure of the outlaw biker stands above the crowd, a beacon of freedom. Tells the story of these modern day nonconformists, from 20-something bikers breathing new life into the 70’s outlaw lifestyle to city-dwelling cafe racers who ride the razor’s edge, in colorful and easy to read narratives accompanied by equally expressive full-color photography. By Dave Nichols. Photography by Ben Zales. Hardbound. 9“x 7“, 226 pp., color illus.

Peter Egan’s warm and witty writing has graced Cycle World’s pages for more than three decades. Tales from the road, observations about the motorcycling life, and real-world bike tests have made his writings a favorite of countless riders. This fresh collection of musings is delivered in a signature wise-but-amusing style and is an unforgettable collection of works, reminding us all why we love to ride. By Peter Egan. Hardbound, 6.25"×9.25", 304 pp., b/w illus.

This book is like a ham sandwich, small, fits in a bag and digestible in one or two sittings. It is an easy to follow true story offering up three themes running concurrently. A motorcycle racer who betrays himself by quitting. A year-long trip of discovery, and the things that can only happen on the road; calamities, disasters, Spiritually insightful and profoundly funny experiences...and a smorgasbord of remarkable people. The third tier is about the time this story takes place, mostly 1965 to 1973, with grass and psychedelics providing a backdrop for self-examination and the pure expression of free will. This is a trip of exploration and a testament to the actual living of a life, rather than trying to explain it. The author is a rider and racer who has written many articles over the years, including feature stories in Cycle, Cycle World and some fictional stories featured in Penthouse in the early ‘90’s. This is his first book. By Paul ‘Chip’ Furlong. Softbound, 7”x4.5” 182 pp., photos.

A wonderful make-you-smile book by an engaging mechanic/philosopher/storyteller who, after many years of working in various office situations, started a one-man motorcycle repair and restoration business. For years the author was a PhD ‘knowledge worker’, busily writing expert papers and analyzing proposals. Then one day he stopped doing that to take up wrenching on old motorbikes. Could he make it economically and emotionally? Mechanically?

This is someone who’s thought hard about how the world’s continuing expansion of white-collar work has been changing people and society. His book is a page-turning storyteller’s tale, saturated with examples of motorcycle repairs and learning experiences which elucidate important ideas about the value of real quantifiable work and how it relates to better personal, financial and emotional security. It’s an extremely thought-provoking story with a wonderful bunch of moto-anecdotes. By Matthew B. Crawford. Softbound, 6"×8.5", 246 pp., b/w illus.

Bicyclists were among the first to see the possibilities of self-directed, long-distance travel, and some of them (including a fellow named Henry Ford) went on to develop the automobile. Women shed their cumbersome Victorian dresses—as well as their restricted gender roles—so they could ride. And doctors recognized that aerobic exercise actually benefits the body, which helped to modernize medicine. The bicycle’s story is really the story of a more mobile America—one in which physical mobility has opened wider horizons of thought and new opportunities for people in all avenues of life. By Margaret Guroff. Softbound, 8.5”x5.5”, 295 pp., b&w illus.

Motorcycle dispatches from the early twentieth century about of five courageous women who paved the way for women adventurers everywhere by packing their motorcycles with tents, tools and tenacity and setting out on cross-country routes to prove that women are strong, capable and fearless. Incredible stories of daring young women who overcame horrible road conditions, unrelenting weather, hard-to-find fuel, flat tires and roadside repairs on an ultimate quest of discovery and two wheel adventure. By William Murphy. Softbound, 6"×9", 208 pp., b/w illus.

At once an overview of motorcycling’s history and culture as well as riding recollections of the author, The Perfect Vehicle is an engrossing and entertaining book. Poetic, intelligent prose unwinds like a good road. A wonderful, insightful book and difficult to put down. By Melissa Holbrook Pierson. Softbound, 6.25” x 8.5”, 240 pp., 32 b/w illus.

This comprehensive manual contains a wealth of ideas for setting up your ‘ultimate’ workshop. If you are wanting to get into restoration, customizing, or just doing routine maintenance on your own bike, you’ll find lots of ideas here. Profiles of typical shops are included also, so you can see how the pros do it, and incorporate different aspects into your own shop. By C.G. Masi. Softbound, 8.25"×10.5",176 pp., b/w illus.

If you’ve ever been curious about the sparky bits on your scoot, this book is a great reference. Starts with the basics at electron level and explains everything from Lucas magnetos (this is a British book, after all) to today’s electronic ignitions, ABS and traction control. By Tony Tranter. Softbound, 8.25"×10.5", 252 pp., b/w & color illus.

From the basics, like the difference between a two and a four stroke engine, to more complex issues such as single and three-phase alternators. This book gives a fine introduction and guide to just what’s going on below you when riding. Over 400 illustrations. By Matthew Coombs and Haynes Publishing. Hardbound, 8.25"×11", 164 pp., b/w illus.

An amazingly clear and well produced work. From the basics including the way engines function to routine maintenance such as fluid changes, to checking and truing spoked wheels, as well as rebuilding a clutch and diagnosing electrical faults, this book delivers in a concise and usable way that will make it ideal for the rider interested in maintaining (or at least understanding) his mount and what’s involved in keeping it running in the best condition possible. By Mark Zimmerman. Softbound, 8.25"×10.5", 256 pp., color illus.

A racing adventure of mechanics, teamwork and friendship that is fun to read and is sure to influence young, aspiring future riders and moto-mechanics. Follow along as a group of three unlikely friends--a rat, a sparrow, and a frog--come together to build a motorcycle. As they start working, they encounter many unexpected obstacles, teaching them (and the reader) about the different parts that make a motorcycle work. Detailed illustrations explain the overall functions of the engine, clutch, brakes, distributors, and many other parts. Through hard work and perseverance, the three friends learn about mechanics and teamwork as they work together to build a miniature motorcycle. Hardbound. 8.75”x8.75”, 64pp., color illustrations.

Riding a motorcycle at speed invites one of life's most profound experiences. Living as it does in that narrow space between danger and exultation, a fast motorcycle represents one of modern life's last anchors to something ancient and timeless. Done well, riding a fast bike on a good road holds the power to put a rider in a state of exalted grace. A complete collection of the author’s stories penned during an eight year tenure at Sport Rider magazine. Part cautionary tale, part joyous recollection, these 53 stories offer rare insight into the world of riding fast. By Jeff Hughes. Softbound, 6”x9”, 332 pp.

A high-performance riding book written for street riders! Learn the secrets the pros use to have total control of their bikes. Each skill is broken down into small easy steps with examples for sportbikes, cruisers and tourers. Based on the successful Advanced Riding Clinics run by the National Endurance Champion author. Second Edition is updated with even more easy-to-navigate technical details of motorcycle function, performance, riding technique and more. By Lee Parks. Softbound, 8.25"×10.675", 192 pp., color illus.

Written by one of the best writers about motorcycle saftey, ever. For 18 years, thousands benefited from his sage advice in his “Stayin’ Safe” columns in Rider magazine. Through selfless exhaustive research and a keen eye, he pioneered the development of better riding skills to aid fellow riders. This collection of articles and personal stories gives a glimpse into his best work, as well as the man himself. By Lawrence Grodsky. Hardbound, 6.5"×9.25", 352 pp., no illus.

The subtitle of this book is “The Ultimate Guide To Proficient Motorcycling” and that’s not a stretch. David Hough has written a column on motorcycle street smarts for over 25 years, and his vast experience is presented here in an entertaining and instructive manner that is pure informational gold for the seasoned or beginning rider. This Second Edition book is packed with situations ranging from urban riding, to in the country, and featuring a high level of graphical explanation. Hough’s text explains the way to triumph over the everyday hazards and scenarios we all encounter. An excellent book for everyone who goes forth on a motorcycle. By David Hough. Softbound, 8.25""×11"", 288 pp., b/w illus.

A heavyweight motorcycle starts, stops, and turns differently than a lighter bike, especially when it is loaded down with a week’s worth of gear in the panniers and a passenger on the pillion. Advanced riding techniques, technical information and practical riding drills are laid out in an easy to read style, augmented by beautiful full-color photos and illustrations on nearly every page. Education at its funnest—read, practice and then ride like a pro. By Pat Hahn. Softbound, 8.25"×10.75", 160 pp., color photos & illus.

Despite not having anything to do with motorcycles, this classic travelogue is a great read and offers insight and wisdom into how to travel, better and with more meaning and purpose. After losing both his wife and job on the same day, the author embarks on an unforgettable journey along the back roads of the United States, following the routes marked with blue on his old style Rand McNally atlas and discovering all of the wonders that 13,000 miles of rural America has to offer. A classic, masterpiece of travel writing filled with fun, unique and memorable stories and real-life characters. By William Lease Heat-Moon. 5.5”x8”, 448 pp.

This guide features 300 of the most beautifully scenic tours through virtually every kind of landscape. Mile-by-mile details and stunning photos of famous destinations as well as lesser-known back-roads rides too. A wonderful combination of regional knowledge, storytelling, full-color maps and images describe the scenery, history and points of interest along each route. Completely updated 4th Edition. Keep it on your coffee table for easy reference and inspiration, or use it to plan your next epic journey. Softbound, 5.3"×8.42", 496 pp., color illus.

Get ready for the gripping true story of Wendy Crockett and Ian McPhee's 100,000-mile motorcycle world record attempt. Their plan: travel through every Australian state, then replicate the journey in the US, hitting 58 capitals. But from breakdowns to hospitalizations, nothing went as planned. Despite the odds, their determination prevailed. "Pushing Miles" is a raw, humorous look at their journey into endurance motorcycling history. Paperback, 789 pages.

Fascinated by the land of endless horizons, sunshine, and the open road, Richard Grant spent fifteen years wandering throughout the United States, never spending more than three weeks in one place and getting to know America’s nomads: truckers, tramps, rodeo cowboys, tie-dyed concert followers, flea market traders, retirees who live year round in their RV’s, and the murderous Freight Train Riders of America (FTRA). In a richly comic travelogue, Grant uses these lives and his own to examine the myths and realities of the wandering life, and its contradiction with the sedentary American dream.

Along with a personal account, American Nomads traces the history of wandering in the New World, through vividly told stories of frontiersmen, fur trappers and cowboys, Comanche and Apache warriors, all the way back to the first Spanish explorers who crossed the continent. What unites these disparate characters, as they range back and forth across the centuries, is a stubborn conviction that the only true freedom is to roam across the land.By Richard Grant. Softbound, 320 pp.

This guy gave it all up just for a chance to compete in the Isle of Man TT. He quit his job as a big-shot ad exec, sold everything he owned, and put every ounce of his soul into a race that he didn’t even know if he’d qualify for. Talk about passion… He was also the subject of a documentary film, One Man’s Island (#3293). This isn’t just a companion book to the film – it’s an amazing story written by the man himself. Whether you’re a long-standing fan or a greenhorn to the TT, this book will grab you right from the beginning. By Mark Gardiner. Softbound, 6"×8.75", 247 pp.

Desperately afraid he would do something sensible with some inherited cash, Canadian English Professor, Ted Bishop succumbs to the siren song of a Ducati Monster and embarks on a cross-country pilgrimage from Edmonton to Austin, discovering along the way the intricate and tangled interplay of life, work and art. The book draws the reader in with a harrowing account of the author in a near-fatal meeting between motorcycle, semi-truck, pavement and ditch—resulting in a heightened appreciation for life’s ‘big picture’ stuff. Thoughtful and great. By Ted Bishop. Softbound, 5.5"×8.25", 262 pp., no illus.

Fire up the wayback machine and prepare to vicariously take a two-wheeled motorized journey through time and space with well-known moto-journalist and traveling-man, Clement Salvadori. The book describes 29 motorcycle trips, and one in a VW van, covering six continents — excepting Antarctica — since 1957. The writing is all new, no boring reprints, though a few of the trips have been written up in magazines in a very different fashion. Follow along on this magic-carpet ride of two wheel travel, arranged alphabetically from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, and zooming thru decades of discovery, exploration and life lessons only achieved through a life-long love of motorcycles. Engaging, easy-to-read and filled with worldly historical observations and intimate personal insight into the life of a dedicated rider and respected moto-journalist. By Clement Salvadori. Softbound. 5.5"×8.5", 414 pp., b/w illus.