2 comments about Schwinn (Enthusiast Color).

1. This book has lots of photos but the one of the orange krate is totally incorrect. The auther should have done his homework and learned about Schwinn Bikes before doing a book on the subject. Instead he used nice photos of incorrectly restored bikes.



2. Sorry to see a good idea executed so poorly. The author relied on limited and questionable sources, leading to many mistakes in the history of the company. There are also several misspelled names, typos and incorrectly identified photos, although the photos are quite good as are some of the old ads. That's really the only reason to consider the book, for the photos and old advertising. Just don't waste time reading it as there are other, far better accounts of the company's history.

5 comments about Ride Hard, Ride Smart: Ultimate Street Strategies for Advanced Motorcyclists.

1. Some reviews pan this title because it paints motorcycling as relatively risky. It can be. But the author's intent is to paint a realistic picture of the risks involved. All responsible motorcycling literature along this vein wants you to take the sport and its risks very seriously. Against this serious backdrop, though, the author manages to be very funny (my opinion). Chapter 8, Riding at night, is hilarious. Is it too stark? Not if you crash. The margin for error is not wide in motorcycling. The more prepared you are, the better. This book can help.



2. This book was an aggravation to (try to) read. I did find a few things that were interesting and that I sometimes need reminding of, but hardly two or three paragraphs can go by without Hahn's silly rhetorical questions, cutesy remarks and flippant attitude. (i.e. chapter 7-Riding at Night. Solution: Don't Ride at Night) A better subtitle might have been "Street Strategies for New/Intermediate Riders". Writers generally hate editors, but a good editor here might have helped.
   
   I think it could have been a helpful read when I started riding almost 40 years and several hundred thousand miles ago, but I'd have to agree with some of these reviewers who seriously question the word "advanced" on the cover. At 60 years old, I buy these kind of books to enhance my skills and stay alive, but I think I could have accomplished those goals without wasting my money on this particular book.



3. Pure and simple: if you want to learn how to ride, any other book on the market is better than this one. It is a complete waste of time and money.



4. The author goes into great depth on his subject, but his focus is rather narrow. He discusses accident types, and their causes, making references to the Hurt Study. There are numerous photograph's to illustrate points, and these really do help. His message is really quite simple, but he goes over it in a lengthy process, which can bore you, if you get the message in the first paragraph of each chapter. As has been said previously, his chapter on riding at night is succinct: Don't! He gives ample reasons for this, in all other chapters, but in this chapter, he is very short, directing the reader to read two previous chapters on why you should not ride at night. I was a little surprised at his frank statement that nearly all (and he does mean, very nearly, as in, abolutely all) accidents are the rider's fault. After I kept reading, I finally got over my pride (I've had two falls, with two ambulance rides as a result), and I had to admit, there were things I could have done differently, in both cases, to avoid the falls.
   
   The quality of the book is superb, with heavy paper, and quality printing. The binding is good, but the layout and color choices are sometimes annoying, as he has color graphics in the background of many pages, in colors which sometimes clash with the text colors, but it is still readable. I would have preferred less artistic styling on the pages, to make the text easier to read.
   
   If you are looking for technical techniques for use on the bike, such as counter-steering, or other fancy moves, this book is empty. The author's approach is more esoteric, as he describes, for the most part, how heightened awareness skills are most needed. He discusses the layers of protection for the rider, with awareness, and distance, being the primaries, and the riding suits, and other crash-useful items, like engine guard bars, riding jackets with armor, and over-the-ankle boots, as the last layer of defense. This may insult, or even anger, some readers, but his basic premise of the rider being at fault in around 98%+ of all accidents, is sobering truth, if you can drop your wall of pride, and look at his point of view, objectively, detached from your prideful emotions. I recommend it to all interested riders. Cheers!



5. I have read the entire book and have to say that 90% of it is about death and dismemberment. If you don't want your spouse to ride this is the book to give them. It will provide you with every reason not to ride a motorcycle. Lots of stats on injurys, deaths, dismemberment. Very little detail on the joys of riding a bike. I highly discourage buying or reading this book.

3 comments about Haynes Triumph Triples & Fours (carburettor engines) '91 to '04 (Haynes Service & Repair Manuals).

1. I am a Triumph motorcycle fan and owner; I bought this book in order to work on my 1996 Triumph Trophy 1200. As an amateur mechanic and avid do it yourself hobby enthusiast I think this book is a very good start for understanding your triumph motorcycle and allowing you to do some moderately complex repairs and adjustments.
   
   In particular I liked the pictures, diagrams, and exploded views of my motorcycle. The disassembly/assembly instructions where clear and concise, and I especially liked the little technical tips and watch outs for tricky parts or delicate assemblies. I think quite a bit of thought went into the language of the book, it is so easy for professionals mechanics to speak in jargon and acronyms, this book speaks in plain English with only the necessary technical terms needed, and there is a glossary of terms for us newbie's. The chapters are laid out in a progressive sequence starting with routine maintenance and periodic services, trough major engine disassembly and followed up by subsystem detail. The chapter on special tools and techniques is especially interesting because it lets you know how deep you tool chest needs to be in order to complete some of the more complex tasks.
   
   My pet peeve with this book is that there is no comprehensive specifications appendix for torque, clearances, tolerances, pressures etc. It is very frustrating to have to hunt and search through the beginning of each chapter to find the needed information. Also the information is incomplete, for instance I could not find the torque specification for the front sprocket cove bolts, the only reference is to the clutch actuator assembly that attaches onto the cover, those bolts capture the cover and clutch housing together, so I must assume that is the appropriate specification for the entire cover.
   
   For anyone interested in Triumph motorcycle repair, this book is much better than just the owners manual, but not as detailed as the appropriate Triumph shop manual. All the essential information for care and maintenance of your motorcycle is there. If your handy with mechanics tools and can read relatively well, the book works well. I am sure a professional mechanic would not be happy with it, but hey he/she can buy the shop manual.
   
   Well, that's my two cents, I enjoyed the book, I recommend it, and hope you enjoy it as well.



2. This is the authority for anyone who doesn't have the shop manual for the first generation Hinckley Triumph motorcycles up to 1999. Haynes has a spotty reputation in the US. This one seems to have escaped that reputation (I think it was written in England, which may explain why it's not as bad as most Haynes manuals). Some people have told me that this is an important manual to have even if you have the shop manual because the shop manual has only drawings where this one has pictures and drawings both.
   
   I have successfully done jobs that have been designated "three (3) wrenches" out of five in difficulty rating with this manual and I am not a trained mechanic. I think if you can do that, you've already gotten your money's worth out of a DYI manual.



3. Because this manual covers other bike models it becomes difficult to continually check if you are referring to the correct model. Perhaps it's not the fault of Haynes keeping up with revised parts being introduced by Triumph - but it is difficult figuring out what a small addition is to the water pump when it's not shown in the manual. It doesn't show many diagrams or photos of parts in the context of the surrounding parts. There's no exploded view of the engine with it's major components shown in relation to other parts. I suppose it's better than nothing.

No comments about BMW GS (Essential Buyer's Guide).

No comments about The Fine Art of the Motorcycle Engine: The Story of the Up-N-Smoke Engine Project.

3 comments about Scooters: Everything You Need to Know (Everything You Need to Know S.).

1. Just when I thought nothing could top the Dregni's earlier book (Illustrated MotorScooter Buyer's Guide), they have come up with another masterpiece with their new book Scooters! In Scooters! the authors trace the history and development of the scooter and make an ambitious attempt to show the effect of the scooter on society and popular culture. The book boldy attempts a full tour de force of the wonderful world of scooters and scootering.... Visually, the book is dazzling. Drawing from archival photos, advertisements, and brochures, many long forgotten or unknown images appear for the first time. Like the text, the photographs are often whimsical and attempt to cover the full panorama of scootering....If you are looking for a book to introduce a friend to the joys and romance of scootering, this is definitely the book. Quite possible, it is the best scootering book of all time. --John Gerber, American Scooterist magazine, Autumn 1996



2. It is a corruption of the review process when the previous reviewer posts a review dated July 1998 for a book not published until January 2006.



3. After reading this book one could be mistaken that scooters were invented in America and that the cushman is a popular scooter known the world over. The influence of the japanese and others seems to be totally down graded to less than one paragraph. Any scooter buff worth his/ her weight would be offended at the american bias that this "publication" sprouts. Never have I been so annoyed at the total brainwashing that seems to be portrayed here. If this is what Americans need to make them feel better then I suppose it has some use. As for the title; everything you need to know.... what a lot of crock.
   Of course this is only my opinion... I suppose it is just as biased as many of the publications that think the vespa is the only scooter, It would have been nice to read information that I could use. Oh well, back to the bookstore.
   :(

3 comments about Jean Davidson's Harley-Davidson Family Album.

1. This is a wonderful scrapbook of the history of the Harley
   Davidson Company on its 100th birthday. It is written by the
   grand daughter of Walter Davidson.There are a series of action
   pictures depicting the family in the early 1900s including
   a 1918 outing. The book explains the dynamics of testing
   each motorcycle directly from the assembly line. This rendition
   would make a perfect gift for a motorcycle enthusiast.



2. Jean Davidson's Harley-Davidson Family Album is a great gift for anyone who wants to know more about Harley-Davidsons. While most books about these wonderful motorcycles focus on the bikes and their impact on the culture, the Family Album describes the effect of the motorcycle on the founders and their families . . . and vice versa. It's a dimension of Harley-Davidson that I knew nothing about . . . and found to be fascinating.

   Jean Davidson is the granddaughter of Walter Davidson, the first president of the company, and her father was Gordon Davidson, a company vice president. She is a former dealer. She teams up with Sara Ann Harley-O'Hearn to add comments about both families. About half of the photographs were new to me, and the captions were priceless.

   The book opens with family trees of Davidsons and Harleys who are in the book so you can keep track of who's who.

   Then the book turns to how the families emigrated from Europe to Wisconsin in the late 1800s. Within five pages of photographs, you begin to see motorcycle images. The first classic is of Arthur Davidson with a friend holding up the fish they caught while sitting on a motorcycle and in a sidecar. The original idea behind the motorcycle was to help make it easier to go fishing. Go figure!

   The text is also interesting . . . including an explanation of why the company is called Harley-Davidson rather than Davidson-Harley.

   The family connections are interesting. The model called "Silent Grey Fellow" in 1914 employed the nickname for William Sylvester Harley. There's also a nice page on the first motorcycle and what happened to it through 1912.

   It wasn't all easy. In 1904 a household maid raided the company's cash jar, and left the company broke. The Davidson brothers' uncle, James McLay, came to the rescue. His photograph is included.

   Interspaced with the family materials are examples of motorcycles, advertisements and motion picture stills featuring motorcycles.

   One of my favorite family photographs shows the chauffeur who was used to drive the founder's wives around in a sidecar. Even though the family was prospering, they preferred their bikes!

   There are also photographs of the male founders working on bikes and even testing them.

   The book also describes the company's attitude toward having women work at the company (single women only in the early days).

   Just after I finished this book, I happened to see an advertisement for S.C. Johnson where the fourth generation and fifth generation members talked about how the company is the family and vice versa. I couldn't help but think that this observation is equally true of Harley-Davidson after enjoying this fine album.

   Photography fans should be warned, however, that like most family albums, these images are often not professional grade. They are often just like the snaps that your grandparents and parents took when they were young. To me, that aspect just added to the charm of the book.

   I was encouraged to take out our family album after looking at this one. I hope you will do the same.




3. But mine was very connected to motorcycles. I want to thank the authors of this book for having shared their very personal family information and pictures. This book and especially these families have had a profound effect on our ever shrinking planet and it's peoples. If you read for fun you will find great pleasure in this book and "THE SECOND COMING OF AGE" by: Vedrine; a must for every Harley Davidson enthusiast.

5 comments about The Biker's Guide to Texas: 25 Great Motorcycle Rides in the Lone Star State.

1. Just got this book and have read about half of it. Have riden some of the roads but not in the layout this book offers. I will be riding as many of the routes shown in the book. Has some really great information on what is ahead and what to look out for.



2. I am a native Texan and have been a bike rider since 1962. This book does more for the novice, general or expert rider than any book on riding in Texas that is currently on the market.
   I was luckly enough to meet the author and the three riders on the cover are from the midlifecycles.com riding group.
   Enjoy and buy an extra copy for Christmas and send it to any rider you know. They will really appreciate it.
   Chuck Boyd



3. You need not be a motorcycle rider or a Texan to benefit from this latest contribution to the travel genre.
   In her eloquent lyrical style, Ms Waldman takes us across the varied terrain of Texas and magically transports the reader to such diverse locales as Palo Duro Canyon in the Panhandle and the Big Thicket forests of deep East Texas.
   I have ridden many of the routes described in the book and find the information accurate and helpful.
   This book is a wonderful resource for the serious rider and also a vacation for the mind for the vicarious reader.



4. I recently received this book as a gift, and it makes me want to get out on the road! The book has clear, carefully delineated maps to go with each of the rides across Texas. The directions are very clear but not dry because the author spices them up with relevant tips and cultural/historical information for each area. My favorite part is the "Highlights Along the Way" section at the end of each ride. Did you know you can visit vineyards near Stonewall, TX and try French Bordeaux wine? (ride #15 in the Hill Country) Or visit a museum dedicated to Texas' Danish culture and Viking heritage in Danevang? (ride #20)
   
   Though the book is marketed to bikers, many of the rides would be appropriate for cyclists looking for longer rides. Some of the rides are in the 60-70 mile range.
   
   Great book! It would make a good gift for the biker who has everything. It's hard to believe it took so long to get such a good guide book for bikers in Texas on the market.



5. 25 rides covering the majority of the state, ride distances and styles. I throughly enjoyed the way various rides are themed. Ms. Waldman gives many useful tips and valuable information, for example "Be sure your tank is full and you have replenished your provisions before you set out from Alpine. There are no towns for the next eighty miles. There is no place to stop for food or fuel. All you have is what you take with you." Ms. Waldman did her homework, she lists many interesting resturants, muesumes and local attractions for the many varied areas she travels. The wealth of diversity alone makes this book stand tall among Texas travel guides. I will be utilizing this guide when planning trips, to look for destinations, attractions, eateries and other entertaining distractions. I recomend it . . . Try it, you'll like it!

5 comments about American Borders: A solo circumnavigation of the United States on a Russian sidecar motorcycle.

1. Ms. King is an awesome chick! She should be on the talk show circuit, and probably will be!



2. I began researching the Ural sidecar rig in 2000. At that time, the bike was still relatively unreliable and more suited to those with a penchant for tinkering. Ms. King's book really highlights the flaws in those early bikes, and provides an entertaining and down-to-earth look at how the manufacturer of a new and/or inferior product must go through the painful process of constant refinement and change in order to survive in a very competitive market.



3. From the moment Carla's motorcycle started up the road to adventure, I was with her - in the sidecar - the whole way. You discover, laugh, get pissed off, and at times, unsure what's next as King curves and glides across America. Great adventurous read. All the people you meet. I felt as though I was meeting them too. Love the Canadian border/US border group. When the bike breaks down, and it does - the uncertainity of - are we done now? Hope not. And, then on the road again. Makes you want to take off and discover the jewels awaiting you in a unique travel mode, especially for a woman. Where to next, Carla?



4. Carla King and I have never met. However, we became friends when she read my book, then sent me her own. I'm a scooter person, I've never riden a motorcycle. Yet it didn't take much imagination to ride along right behind her, because every bend in the road brought a new adventure. Carla's voice is authentic, engaging, and best of all ... enduring.
   
   I've known men who have taken off on a motorcycle trip to South America, but this is a different kind of journey. I think that it takes a lot of courage for an attractive, single woman to set off on the road alone. Whether by bike or motorcycle, it takes more than an adventurous spirit to manage the moments when you pull up alongside a motorcycle gang, or the small town loner. It takes the ability to rapidly sort options and defuse potentially dangerous situations with a tool set of inner skills.
   
   Carla has this ability in spades. And she's also got first-rate mechanical skills. Whether her trip was prompted by heartbreak, or her heart's longing for the open road, she got what she was looking for and so much more! I read the book with delight, like enjoying a box of chocolates all by yourself; and I highly recommend it.
   
   Alexia Parks, author of Rapid Evolution, Seven Words That Will Change Your Life Forever!



5. This book book was an ok motorcycle travel book. Eventhough it was published in 2007, it is about a trip King takes in 1996. The writing was decent, but I never really got sucked into the story. It was interesting to hear about her troubles riding the Ural. I don't know anything about Urals, but I wondered if they are better machines today than when she rode hers.
   
   It was a decent read but there are better motorcycle travel books out there.

2 comments about Motorcycling Across Ohio.

1. It's going to be a very handy guide. He shows many off the beaten path sites and activities of which I was unaware and I've been in Ohio for 25 years! It will be well used this summer.



2. I've read and used the book to discover new things about Ohio while riding my motorcycle. I've had the wonderful experience of spending a fair amount of time with the author. He is a unique meticulous individual who has taken an approach to publishing a motorcycling book that has not been done before. If you want to buy a book that hits all the "points of interest" buy a travel book, there are many. If you want a book that discusses the history, uniqueness, and that also takes you down the best motorcycling roads then buy this one as well as the books on Mich. and Indiana. I own all three and would not trade them.