No comments about Chrome Horse Chronicles: One Man's Motorcycle Travels Through North America.

4 comments about Harley Davidson: The Ultimate Machine 100th Anniversary Edition 1903-2003.

1. The text covers the early years fairly well, and minces no words when it comes to the bad years of the late sixties-early seventies. Contains some interesting comments by noted figures not only in H-D history, but the general motorcycle community as well. All illustrated, of course, with plenty of photos, some very good indeed. Goes on a bit much about the Sturgis gathering, though, and unfortunately cuts off in late 1993, so no coverage of recent developments such as the H-D partnership with Buell, the onslaught of Japanese imitations and American-built copies, etc. All in all, not a bad addition to the enthusiast's shelf and reasonable value for the money.



2. Good "starter" book for historical overview of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and the pictures are excellent. Anecdotal inserts are interesting. It explains the Sturgis for the uninitiated. As a new "Harley chick", I have given several as gifts to the Harley buddies who are introducing me to this new world and they have all enjoyed it.



3. This 100th anniversary edition book is the perfect gift and is pretty as a picture. But if your Harley Davidson rider can read as well as ride check out the Harley Davidson novel THE SECOND COMING OF AGE and the book GROWING UP HD.



4. Being a Harley enthusiast myself, I appreciate the ancestry of my ride. This book is like a family album...proving the good stock my Duoglide comes from (and helped carry on).

   If you do, or ever want to, own a Harley...check out their parentage here.

3 comments about ROYAL ENFIELD: The Complete Story.

1. This book has a few nice colour photos and some old advertising posters. While it does give a very concise summary of the companies history it is overly full of engine specifications and is repetitive.



2. The book is nice, but the "The Complete Story" is rather thin, if you have old motorcycles as hobbies. And with the title "The Complete Story", I would have expected more pages about the pre-war period. I also miss hard facts like lists with frame&engine numbers, production years for different models etc.



3. My husband loved it. He owns a 60's model Royal Enfield and just recently restored it -- so it was a perfect gift for him.

2 comments about Ducati 999.

1. Whether or not you're a fan of Ducati, its chief designer Pierre Terblanche, or authors Alan Cathcart and Marc Cook, you can't ignore this beautiful, brilliant book. It's an absorbing account of a motorcycle's evolution, at unprecedented levels of detailed reportage. The still and action photos--the latter by Kevin Wing particularly pleasing--are exquisite, detailed and informative.
   Most enthuasiasts know Ducati's remarkable race history over the last half century, from the great bevel-gear machines whose valve acuation evolved into today's signature desmodromic technology, up to its amazing 2003 MotoGP bike (podiums in its first year!). The V-twin Pantah, suitably bored, stroked and beefed up, eventually using water instead of air to cool, begat the 851, 900S, 888, 916, 996, 998 and now the 999. The book's depth and detail are riveting. Ducati's people, originals to the core, create the focus. No worthwhile vehicle--no designed object of any significance--can be created without committed individuals who believe in what they are doing, into the bones.
   David Gross, Ducati's creative director, wrote a candid foreword, revealing Terblanche as interesting and controversial. A bit like BMW Cars's Chris Bangle, Terblanche comes across as an egotist--not always right but never in doubt--who despises his critics.
   This is not a perfect book despite its brilliance and production quality. We needed to see dyno comparisons of the various progenitors to the 999, reference to the WSB 999s vs. the production bikes, and 999/R/S spec comparisons that explain the significant cost differentials.
   Also, note that this is not investigative reporting. Ducati wouldn't have let Cathcart or Cook into the joint if there had been any suspicion of deviation from an unsullied portrait. And Cathcart's relentless egotism jars--we get yet another opinion or picture of him on a Ducati, neglecting many of the great champions mentioned but not pictured, such as Hailwood, Polen and others. This facet alone removes a star from my review.
   Nitpicking aside, this is a remarkable and magnificent book written, photographed and produced by genuine enthusiasts who have given us an unprecedented look into the development of a great motorcycle. It stands alongside some of the best of its kind, up there with the Guggenheim's "Art of the Motorcycle" and Nick Ienatsch's SPORT RIDING TECHNIQUES (a David Bull book), both reviewed by me for Amazon. David Bull is publishing at the pinnacle of the motorcycling world.



2. Great book, which is an owner of a 999S makes me appreciate my bike even more.
   The author did a stellar job portraying what a leap forward the 999 was, and actually still is. It was also great to find out more about Pierre Terblanche, his design principles and his values and behaviors in general.
   Overall a great book. I would recommend it to any 999 owner or Dacatisti.
   
   Yves

1 comments about Haynes Honda TRX300 Shaft Drive ATVs Owners Workshop Manual: 2-wheel drive & 4-wheel drive 1988 thru 2000 (Owners Workshop Manual).

1. IT SUCKED BAD PICS AN ALL THAT STUF

2 comments about The Victory Motorcycle: The Making of a New American Motorcycle.

1. I excerpted much of the following from the Polaris Industries web site:

   VICTORY: The Making of A New American Motorcycle covers the developmental history of the V92C, the all-new motorcycle from the Victory Motorcycles Division of Polaris Industries Inc. from the idea in 1993 to production in 1998.

   The Victory motorcycle is historically significant because it's the first mass-produced, full-sized, all-new motorcycle from an American manufacturer in more than 60 years. Smaller motorcycles such as scooters have been built during that time, as have custom bikes, but nothing on the scale of the Victory V92C, a high-performance cruiser motorcycle.

   The book chronicles all stages of the bike's development, including: Polaris research of the motorcycle market; corporate review and approval of the Victory project; benchmarking of competitive motorcycles to establish performance goals; use of a test "mule" to refine the ride and handling; creation of the big Victory V-twin engine (the most-powerful mass-produced V-twin on the cruiser market); and final development work on pre-production bikes.

   The photos are excellent and plentiful.




2. A must-have book for all motorcycle fans and riders of all bikes, not just the Victory. The writing, pictures and general information makes this a great read.

4 comments about Harley-Davidson Data Book.

1. This book is data source for H-D line-up from 1903 to 1996. Included are year-by-year listings ,black and white photographs. (listings:"Main Models","Specialty Models","Retail Prices", "Production Totals","Options","Paint Colors","First-year", "Only-year","Motor Company Minutes","Racing Notes")

   ...Good book!




2. This book is data source for H-D line-up from 1903 to 1996. Included are year-by-year listings ,black and white photographs. (listings:"Main Models","Specialty Models","Retail Prices", "Production Totals","Options","Paint Colors","First-year", "Only-year","Motor Company Minutes","Racing Notes")

   ...Good book!




3. This book is data source for H-D line-up from 1903 to 1996. Included are year-by-year listings ,black and white photographs. (listings:"Main Models","Specialty Models","Retail Prices", "Production Totals","Options","Paint Colors","First-year", "Only-year","Motor Company Minutes","Racing Notes")

   ...Good book!




4. This book has so much miss infomation you don't know what to believe.ie 1966 FLH first year info says fuel shut off is on the lower left tank. It's on the right tank. (the only year it was).There are many omissions like no production totals for 1965 FLH. These are just a few of many mistakes.

2 comments about Motorcycle Tuning Two-Stroke, Second Edition (Motorcycle Tuning).

1. Very informative with info on what each modification does to two-stroke power. You will understand just about the whole inner workings of a two-stroke motor once you read this book thoughly. Some paragraphs you may need to read twice, just because they contain so much info.



2. I'm very sorry to be negative but I did not like this book. I found that this book muddied the waters regarding two stroke engine operation more than providing any helpful insights. In my opinion Bell's book is a better practical guide, and Blair's book is the best of all for someone who wants to understand the processes involved in two stroke engine operation and then apply them.

4 comments about RX-7: Mazda's Rotary Sportscar (Car & Motorcycle Marque/Model).

1. This book is a MUST HAVE for any RX-7 enthusiast! There is a wealth of new information that is ONLY in this book and nowhere else, and I have 'em all :).

   If you've read the Mazda RX-7: Sports Car Color History book, this book is along the same lines and format. Where the big difference lies is the non-US specific focus of the information; model changes and lineups for Japan, the US, and the UK are covered, along with TONS of color photographs, reproductions of ads, and more.

   The information in the book is VERY well researched and extremely accurate, which is asking quite a lot due to the breadth of the subject.

   This is a fine reference work on the history of the RX-7. The "newness" of the book is a plus, since it covers the newer 3rd generation cars that are only for sale in Japan as well as photos and information on the upcoming RX-8. This information is not in *any* of the other RX-7 books.

   Get it now!




2. An absolutely amazing book. Some of the most in-depth insight into this superb production automobile. It covers the inception of Mazda (and the effects of WWII on the company - based in Hiroshima) to the modern developments of the RX-8 and the Renesis engine (and a wealth of RX-7 facts in between).

   If you have ever wondered about the history, evolution, and the future of this impressive sportscar... Here is the source of your answers (has great photos, too!).




3. Great book, all of the history is there. Worth geting, also makes a cool table book. lots of pics, and info on the Wankle rotary. only thing is it lacks a longer buyers guide. oh well, still A+.



4. For starters I bought this book used from Amazon. Slight tears on the cover but a $50 book for $3, I couldn't pass it up. I'm glad I didn't. Even for $50 I would think the book would be worth it, but that is my opinion.
   
   The pictures and the explanation of the history behind this car are very detailed. Almost 200 high quality pages full of great pictures and information from the very history of the rotary motor to the prototype Rx-8. This book was written in 2001, so the Rx-8 was a fairly new idea. The book goes through and explains every rotary powered car Mazda produced and explains a bit about the motorsports aspect as well.
   
   Like in some of the older reviews, They could have spent a little more time in the buyer's guide section. Even though they explained a lot of good points, there is much more to know before purchasing this car.
   
   For any Rx-7 enthusiasts out there, I would recommend this book for their spare time (when they are not out driving).

No comments about Kawasaki 500 & 750 Triples Performance Portfolio 1969-1976 (Performance Portfolio).