5 comments about Evel Incarnate: The Life and Legend of Evel Knievel.

1. The beauty of Mandich's incredibly well-researched book lies in it's deft handling of the myth and reality of the life of Evel Knievel. It's what makes it a compelling read for anyone, whether they be a die-hard Evel fan, rev-head or anyone with even a passing interest in one of the 20th centuries more interesting celebrity sporstman. The engaging writing style makes this not just a great biography but also a fascinating story.



2. Let's just say that the BBC documentary `Touch of Evel' would have
   benefitted greatly if this book had been available at the time of
   production! Mandich's masterly yet affectionate execution fills in all the
   gaps - it is the quiet authoritative voice behind the hollering and bluster
   of the legend. It shows meticulous research without descending into geekdom,
   and hits the spot more accurately than Evel did in a thousand jumps.
   Splendid.



3. Simply stunning work by the obviously Knievel obsessed Steve Mandich. Really well researched and put together - this makes interesting reading for all those with an interest in the 'real' story of Buttes bad boy, but it will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good book. Buy it today and I'm sure you'll love it. Just don't go jumping any canyons.



4. 
   
   Steve Mandich dwells deep into the life of evel knievel he did
   well research on the book and now there is a made for tv movi
   e about Evel staring George Eads Well written book



5. This book is complete crap..Most if not all were take from other books and or magazine stories written by other people. Don't waste your time..

2 comments about Ducati Twins Restoration.

1. The fact that it may be the one and only is beside the point! Anyone attempting to maintain or restore one of these Ducati models would be well served to buy Walker's book. The price is steep, but the money will be very well spent.

   The author, Mick Walker, is unusual in that he is a well respected expert, yet he avoids the slavish PR blather common to many Ducati writers. He paid his dues as a long time dealer and rider, and his approach to the bikes is respectful but pragmatic. Walker writes in a clear, easily readable style. He comes across as someone to spend a few hours drinking beers with in the garage while wrenching on that old Ducati.

   The book is also full of excellent photographs, exploded diagrams, and a comprehensive technical specifications section. The text includes exhaustive detail on and the strengths and weaknesses of everything from paint colors to the various electrical systems. More important, it includes useful insights and practical recommendations derived from years of hard work, trial and error. Based on the age and increasing rarity of these machines, Walker's book is an invaluable resource.

   One of the most appealing aspects of the book is that it depicts a dollarwise approach to restoring or owning a Ducati. Most motorcyclists may find that laughable, but, if so, they haven't read Walker's book. This is gem.




2. If you are going to get a book to help you restore your Ducati twin,you better pass on this one and get a good shop manual .There is litle material of use and the content is mostly a repeat of is other Ducati books .You would expect a step by step knowhow aproach with usefull imputs like the Dave Richardson Guzzilogy book for Moto-Guzzi .A good restoration book is about guiding the reader with how to hints,tips and tricks from pros that have done it many times .There are lots of photos that will show you a Ducati part with a typo description an no more ,like for example (this is what a Ducati clutch looks like +PHOTO.

No comments about The Rugged Road.

3 comments about Against the Clock: The incredible story of the 7/49.

1. As good as Ron is at setting motorcycle endurance records, he is in a class by himself when it comes to successfully engaging the reader's interest in his travels and experiences on the road. Note to Peter Matthiessen, "Watch out!"

   This is a great read for enthusiasts and arm chair endurance riders alike. I highly recommend "Against the Clock".




2. Not of the same caliber "Against the wind" was (5 star !). I think the author goes out of his way to thank the long distance riding community but it just isn't that great of a read.



3. Ayers' first book, Against the Wind, is a thoughtful, well written travelogue that provides readers with fascinating insights into long-distance motorcycling--and one man's psyche. Against the Clock is none of that. This is a superfical hour-by-hour laundry list of what happened. During hour 456 deer number 38 crossed the road in front of me. On hour 675 I stopped for gas. This sort of prose is not just lacking in description, but totally uninteresting! Ron, it is the story behind the story that carries the narrative. This could have been a great book, but falls far short of that goal.

1 comments about Suzuki Rm125 1996-2000 (Clymer Motorcycle Repair) (Clymer Motorcycle Repair).

1. This manual provides the necessary technical information required to successfully maintain and repair my Suzuki RM 125.

1 comments about Honda CBR900RR/Fireblade 1993-1999 (Clymer Motorcycle Repair) (Clymer Motorcycle Repair).

1. I searched high and low for a good manual for my bike. This manual covers everything. Torque specs, what tools you'll need, and even how to best maintain your bike. Clymer uses pictoral diagrams for nearly everything. They've really done their homework and it shows.

1 comments about Expansion.

1. I vastly enjoyed this book. The author, Frank Leonard, takes the reader on a trip, both inner and outer, from San Francisco, his home, to visit his son in Mexico. The book has some interesting and raw autobiographical bits, as the author comes to grasp where he is presently in life.The reader sees how one big part of Frank's life has ended, and the new(and present) one takes shape. The narrative of the trip is solid. I felt like I was on the back of the bike at times.
   Frank hits some wonderful insights on life throughout the book. I had trouble putting it down. His style of writing is easy to follow. This ties in with me first philosophical book in my life, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance".
   Keep a lookout for this author. He has a lot more to say.

No comments about Honda Xl/Xr/Tlr 125-200, 1979-2003.

4 comments about Motorcycle Journeys Through Texas (Motorcycle Journeys).

1. So far, of all the books I've bought for this purpose, this has been the most informative. Well worth it.



2. This was an interesting read. I am moving to TX soon and wanted some insite as to what I would be getting into for ridding my scoot. I will update the review once I try out a few of the routes in the book, but it was well written and included a fair amount of history for the different areas. If anything could have been better, it would have been accomidations (inns/eateries) but these are hard to keep current and everyone has there own preferences...
   Great book so far!



3. I've read this work cover to cover twice already. Not because I didn't understand the first time, but because it's an enjoyable read. Furthermore, I discovered some very interesting rides and particulars about others that I would have missed. I've spider-webbed most all the roads in Hill Country and agree with the author's description of this area. I've followed several of the routes noted in this work and one just leads me to the next. If you're looking to motorcycle around Texas, you'll not be wasting your time reading Motorcycle Journeys Through Texas.



4. If your riding style is sport motorcycles and twisty roads of the Hill Country or if you prefer dual sport in the Big Bend region this book may be for you. However, if you prefer long rides either solo or with a passenger, consider this. According to Mr Davis, "You'll notice that most of the rides I recommend are located in the southern two-thirds of the state. This is because that is where the good riding is. The roads in the northern one-third tend to be flat, straight and boring" (page 211). This book neglects a vast portion of our great state, namely anything north or west of Dallas, also the I-35 corridor north of Austin. There is no mention of the "North Texas Hill Country" of any of the beautiful open roads of the low rolling planes, high planes or the panhandle, except for one ride around Palo Duro Canyon about 20 miles long. I'm sorry this individual failed to cover the whole state in his research of roads to ride. He really needs to venture more to the north and out west. After all we have wonderful farm to market roads all over this state, they are not limited to certain regions. Hopefully Mr. Davis will continue to explore other regions of Texas and will include them in any future editions. With this in mind, and as a resident who lives just north of Dallas; I cannot recomend this book as a good source for riders in Texas. I would like to recomend a regionl magazine, Ride Texas. This is a wonderful bi-monthly publication, covering the ENTIRE state.

1 comments about Triumph Motorcycles: Their Renaissance and the Hinckley Factory (Crowood Aviation S.).

1. If you are looking for a totally revised and updated edition of this book that was originally published in 1997, I am afraid that you will be disappointed with the 2006 edition. This is basically the same book as the 1997 edition with one fairly weak chapter added in an attempt to bring the book up-to-date, or probably more accurately, to sell more books. A great example is seen on pages 6 and 7 in a table entitled "A Modern History of the New Triumphs." The first date shown is 1984 and the most current date is October 1996. Nothing for the period 1997-2006. Hardly an update. Chapter 9 entitled "Transformation Complete" does make a half-hearted attempt to discuss the new T2 assembly plant, but, if you are a Bonneville fan, you will be sorely disappointed. There is only one poorly-written paragraph on Triumph's top-selling Bonneville T-100. And as for pictures -- Not here. You will only find two very small b&w pictures of the T-100, one 3/4 page b&w picture of a Thruxton Bonneville and one small b&w picture of a Scrambler.
   
   If you are interested in Bonnevilles and, particularly, the new Hinkley Bonnevilles, check out Steve Wilson's book entitled Bonneville - Triumph T120/T140. The final chapter entitled "New Millennium Bonneville", while only three pages long, is very good and has one full-color, full-page picture and two smaller full-color pictures of the T-100. All-in-all a very nice book.
   
   The bottom line? "Triumph Motorcycles - Their Renaissance and the Hinkley Factory" is no more than a warmed up 10 year old book. Buy it if that is what you are looking for, but personally, I was very disappointed.