This is a good book to read to learn about the basics of motorcycling and riding.

I read the book and found it to be a good foundation to start my motorcycle life with. I read if before my "Beginners Riding Classs" and found I understood what the instructors said a lot better than I would have if I hadn't. I would recommend taking a riding class to anyone considering taking up motorcycling. Heck the class is probabaly the best thing you can do.

What a disappointment! I read the second edition of this book as someone who wanted to find out about motorcycling and to get recommendations on bikes for beginning riders and was impressed on how the book did just that. I recommended this book to a friend and he told me the third edition's Buyer's Guide section was nothing like what I had read and boy was he right. Gone where the frank opinions on what were the pluses and minuses of each bike for beginners. They were replaced by the editorial capsules found in Motorcyclist Magazine. I subscribe to Motorcyclist Magazine and it's a great publication but their motorcycle opinions are geared toward experienced riders. The difference in the editions for the Buyer's Guide section was striking and makes it almost useless for beginning riders seeking information on bike's that are in the market. The third edition is also sloppy in it's editing as bike's mentioned as "a good first bike" elsewhere in the book don't get a "Good First Bike" designation in the Buyer's Guide section. If your an experienced rider, read Motorcyclist Magazine. If your a beginning rider, get a hold of the second edition of this book.

This book is an entirely useful and practical guide to getting started in the world of motorcycles. It is full of relevant information including topics such as motorcycling history, chosing your first bike, safety, routine maintenance, etc. It's an all-around solid resource for those who have the "itch."

I've been riding motorcycles for 35 years, and while I may or may not be a complete idiot, I do know a thing or two about the sport. After reading this book, I know even more. A lot of the stuff in here I already knew and there are a couple of things I might take issue with, but overall I learned a lot from this book. For an old idiot like me this book is useful. For a new rider, it would be essential.

This book covers everything from the history of motorcycles to basic riding techniques, street strategies, maintenance, advice on buying a motorcycle, a buyer's guide in the back of the book, etc. If there is a more enjoyable, informative read on the subject of motorcycles, I haven't found it. Great book, highly recommended and well worth the money.

I enjoyed this book Immensely. My wife and I became excited about motorcycles. We visited at least twelve dealerships just to find out what our particular flavor of bike would be. We began reading all types of books on Motorcycles, Motorcycle touring, etc. The idiots guide gave me an in-depth look at the different types of bikes. Although I finally decided on a Honda Shadow VLX as my first bike, this book opened the door for me regarding sport touring types as well. What you have in this book is an unbiased look at bikes. A great street wise road education is included here. Much of this taken straight from the Motorcycle Saftey foundation. The author/editors are not Just Harley men/women, but open to all makes and models. Personally I can't afford a Harley. Because of this I needed to buy a inexpensive and Reliable bike. The Honda fit the bill on this. Good Maintainence area is included on the chapters, and a good talk on the differences between shaft drive and Chain drive type bikes. If you can't explain your passion for motorcycles, this will feed the your unexplained passion then continue to educate you in the process. Ride for Life with your tires on the road always.
One Excellent Book!!!

Dave Carlin, Philly

Like most "Idiot" books, this is a great introduction. Not a lot of depth in some places, but that is better left to specific subject books. What this book does well is get you acquainted with terms and different varieties of bikes so that you can avoid making a complete fool of yourself. Also gives good resources for further education. You wouldn't want this to be your only bike book, but it is a good place to start.

The book is fine overall, however since this book caters to beginners I was really annoyed that there wasn't a diagram of an engine included in the "Anatomy" chapter. I found myself frustrated that the author went on and on about parts, yet offered no diagram to situate the reader as to were the parts were.

As Jay Leno says of this book, "As both an idiot and a motorcyclist, I found this book very helpful." A hard statement with which to argue.

Not, like so many others of this genre, dedicated to Harley-Davidson. This book deals with just about any motorcycle you will find on the market. It goes into detail on their history, mechanics, operation, their (relatively) safe use, and gives some good advice on what to buy and what not to buy as a first motorcycle.

On the latter subject, the author (Darwin Holstrom) advises the newcomer to stay away from the big twin cruisers and touring bikes--because of their weight, not because of their engine size and power. And they are heavy! My 2000 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad (90 cu. in.) weighs in at about 750 lbs, wet. Add 350 lbs. of rider and passenger and some underwear and shaving gear, and you're at over half a ton on two wheels.

There are advantages: with such a large machine--especially if it is well-lighted, you are more likely to be seen by drivers of automobiles, who are responsible for most of the mayhem that happens to motorcyclists.

This is an excellent book, written by a man who is quite obviously very knowledgeable about the subject matter. He claims over twenty years of motorcycling experience. It covers just about every aspect of motorcycling that you can think of, including street strategies (apologies to David Hough), riding in the dirt, hill climbing, touring--you name it, it's in here. A very entertaining and enlightening book.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles is replete with inumerable photos, drawings, cartoons and witicisms, as well as a very complete glossary of terms and an index of subject matter covered. It also has a very complete list of clubs and organizations for aficianados, and with its 2002 copyright date, it covers many of the very latest mootorcycles.

I recommend it for your library as one of the best and most current books on the subject.

Joe Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

This book covers the basics. It's a good look at motorcycling for a beginner. If you are currently a rider and are looking for a book that tells you something that you don't already know, then this book is not for you. On the other hand, if you are fairly new to morotcycling and you're looking for entertainment and information on the hobby, then you've come to the right place. The book covers many topics and is easy to read... Well worth the time invested. Enjoy, and motor on.