Suggestions for New Reading Material?

[ADK Jim]

Hello All:
I always enjoy reading about my hobbies, and in this case I started when I got my Vespa prior to the NT700V. I made a list of the books I've read and would be interested in learning of other good books you have read. Anything from 2 wheel travel adventures, historical motorcycling across the country (USA) or improving skills. Any suggestions? Thanks, Jim

Here's my list:

Vroom with a View
By Peter Moore (Vespa)
Vroom by the Sea
By Peter Moore (Vespa)
The Best of Scooter Touring
Articles from scooter rider magazine
By B.J. Strass
Proficient Scootering
By Alan Hearnshaw
Scootin’ to Alaska
A Travel Memoir
By Jason Forster
The Art & Science of Motorcycle Touring
Time and Mile tested Secrets to Enjoy the Ride
By Tom Wacker
Jupiter’s Travels
By Ted Simon
The Unleash Your Adventure Packlist
What to Take, What to Leave & The Hows & Whys of Overland Motorcycle Travel
By Sherrie McCarthy & Patrick Schweizer (Not worth the couple of bucks!)
American Borders
An American woman on a Russian motorcycle on a journey to explore the boarders
with Canada and Mexico
By Carla King
Homeward Highway
A novel by Lewis B. Hunter
The Incredible Ride
By Nick Sanders (A crazy guy who goes the from Alaska to S. America & back FAST
like Iron Butt guys)50 Wild Motorcycle Tales
An Anthology of Motorcycle Stories
By Walter F. Kern
Running Towards the Light
A Journey across America by 105cc Australian Post Bike
By Nathan Millward
From Tortillas to Totems
Sidetracked by the unexpected
By Sam Manicom
Motorcycling Mexico, the USA & Canada (Excellent!)
One Man Caravan
By Robert Edison Fulton, Jr. (Excellent!)
Motorcycle Roadcraft
The Police Rider’s Handbook
By the Police foundation (British)
Motorcycle Journeys Through the Appalachians
By Dale Coyner (reference for routes)
Proficient Motorcycling
The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well
By David L. Hough (Excellent book to read each new season to be safe)
The Minimal Motorcyclist
By Andrew Pain (a beginner’s book – a lot of basics)
An Interesting read is on the net
The writing of the first person (George A. Wyman of California) to cross the country
on a two wheel motor bicycle (early motorcycle – 1 ½ horsepower) and his articles
that appeared in motorcycle magazines about the trip of 1903 – His trip was even
before the first car crossed the country. You can view it here:
http://www.ridetwisties.com/Across America on a Motor
Bicycle.html- Lincoln Highway Companion
By Brian Butko (In prep for my 2019 cross country trip)
- Across the Continent by the Lincoln Highway
By Effie Price Cladding (In prep for my 2019 cross country trip)
- There’s Absolutely No Excuse for the Way I’m About to Act - small book about John
Ryan’s long distance motorcycling put out by Aerostich 2019
- The Old Rider’s Almanac
By Pat Hahn published by Aerostich
- Leanings
By Peter Egan - The best of Peter Egan from Cycle World Magazine
- Leanings 3
By Peter Egan
- The Higdon Chronicles
By Robert E. Higdon Volume 1
- The Higdon Chronicles
By Robert E. Higdon Volume 2
- Going the Extra Mile
By Ron Ayres (advise for long distance riders)
- Against the Clock
By Ron Ayres (story of his 7/49 ride - 7 days & 49 states)
- Against the Wind
By Ron Ayres (Ron’s first Iron Butt Rally)
- The Man Who Would Stop at Nothing -
By Melissa Holbrook Pierson about John Ryan
- Hopeless Class
By Joel Rappoport (Iron Butt Rally 2009)
- Ghost Rider, Traveling on the Healing Road
By Neil Peart- Lone Rider
By Elspeth Beard
- Grace and Grit
By William M. Murphy
- Alone Across America
By Nate Berkopec
- MotoJitsu - Master Riding Program
By Greg Widmar
- Chronicles of a Motorcycle Gypsy
By Tiffani Burkett
- Echoes of the Mind (short story)
By Jeff Hughes
- Easy Motorcycle Touring
By Barry D. Dwernychcuk
- The Gasoline Tramp or Around the World on a Motorcycle (1912 - 1913)
By Carl Stearns Clancy
- Dreaming of Jupiter
By Ted Simon
- Great American Motorcycle Tours
By Gary McKechnie
- Investment Biker, On the Road with Jim Rogers
By Jim Rogers
- Long Way Round
By Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman

 

[mikesim]

Jim, I've pretty much read the same ones you have except the scooter books. I've also got several of the motorcycle classic series, street bikes of the 60's, street bikes of the 70's, the history of Harley Davidson.. The Kindle library also have good books on the history of Norton, BSA and Trumph. One other obscure title that I have in paperback is Japan's Motorcycle Wars that was actually a doctoral thesis by a young man about ten years ago. I will compare my list to your and see if I can offer any new reading material for you.

Mike

 

[ARKNT]

I have enjoyed "Top Dead Center" & "Top Dead Center 2" By Kevin Cameron.
Kind of racing oriented but I like the thoughts of the inner workings he brings out.

Brad

 

[ADK Jim]

Hey Mike & Brad - Thanks for your input. Just went and got a DVD that my cousin suggested which I had never seen, "The World's Fastest Indian".
Mike, I think that I will also search for the Japan's Motorcycle Wars. I've only found $29 used editions so far but if you think it is really good, I might spring for that too.
Thanks again for your inputs.
Jim

 

[ARKNT]

I did like "Worlds Fastest Indian" I have a copy I watch once a year or so.

Brad

 

[mikesim]

J

Hey Mike & Brad - Thanks for your input. Just went and got a DVD that my cousin suggested which I had never seen, "The World's Fastest Indian".
Mike, I think that I will also search for the Japan's Motorcycle Wars. I've only found $29 used editions so far but if you think it is really good, I might spring for that too.
Thanks again for your inputs.
Jim

It's kind of an obscure book, but to me it was a very interesting history of the Japanese motorcycle industry from the beginning and especially after WWII. It doesn't really get into specific bike detail so much as it shows how each manufacturer coped with material shortages, competition between marques and the Japanese recovery. It lists many of the now defunct manufacturers and how they tried but failed to keep pace with the big four, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki. If you will PM me with your mailing address I will be glad to loan you my copy to read.

Mike

 

[mikesim]

I

I have enjoyed "Top Dead Center" & "Top Dead Center 2" By Kevin Cameron.
Kind of racing oriented but I like the thoughts of the inner workings he brings out.

Brad

I always enjoy Cameron's books and his articles in Cycle World. Some complain that he's too technical, but that's right up my alley. It satisfies my inner geek!

Mike

 

[Phil Tarman]

I love Cameron's stuff. I think "Top Dead Center 1 & 2" are collections of pieces he's written for Cycle World. If they're not, I'd buy them. I'd be interested in reading "Japan's Motorcycle Wars" after Jim does, it that's OK.

I had an "autographed" copy of Joel Rappaport's "Hopeless Class" on my original Kindle. But I broke the screen on it and haven't run into Joel since. I also had an "autographed" copy of Linda Lahman's book on riding with her husband Terry, "Two-Up: Navigating a Relationship 1,000 Miles at a Time" on the same Kindle..

 

[mikesim]

I've read Hopeless Class and Two-up and both were very good. You are certainly welcome to borrow the book after Jim is through with it. Perhaps he can forward it to you when he is finished?

Mike

 

[ADK Jim]

No problem. I ordered last night the other book about early Japanese motorcycles and will share that if anyone is interested once I get it and read it.
Jim