Expert motorcyclist and author Ken Condon knows there is a right way to hit the road and track when you’re behind the handlebars. In this new book Motorcycling the Right Way, Condon lays out a basic riding course for motorcyclists who are smart enough to acknowledge that “you don’t know what you don’t know.” In setting forth the keys to riding safely and well, Condon’s method capitalizes on reducing risks and potential crashes and increasing the rider’s ever-improving skills and situational awareness. Filled with readable, useful advice and anecdotes from the road, Motorcycling the Right Way will be welcomed by beginners and returning riders, as well as experienced riders who are interested in learning more on the journey. -Adding new tools to the rider’s bag: multitasking, sensory intelligence, self and situational awareness, risk smarts, visibility, and attitude adjustment -Improving the rider’s ability to perceive danger, size up risks, and mentally prepare for the road -Expert advice on handling the bike, cornering, traction, braking, and turning -A sobering look at crashing and handling the aftermath of an accident -Special sections on dirt riding, group rides, highway riding, nighttime riding, passengers -The right way to avoid hazards and deal with perilous obstacles and road conditions
Riding motorcycles is fun, but author Ken Condon maintains that there is a state of consciousness to be achieved beyond the simple pleasure of riding down the road. Riding in the Zone helps riders find that state of being. It's the experience of being physically and mentally present in the moment, where every sense is sharply attuned to the ride. Your mind becomes silent to the chatter of daily life, and everyday problems seem to dissolve. You feel a deeper appreciation for life. Your body responds to this state of being with precise, fluid movements, you feel in balance, your muscles are relaxed, and it seems as though every input you make is an expression of mastery. This is "the Zone." Condon identifies all of the factors that affect entering the Zone and addresses each one individually, from the development of awareness and mental skills to mastering physical control of the motorcycle. At the end of each chapter are drills designed to transform the book's ideas into solid, practical riding skills. Riding in the Zone takes riders to the next level in their skill set.
This best-selling book is also “#1 book in motorcycle safety” (Nielsen BookScan) and essential reading for all motorcyclists regardless of their years of experience. Author David L. Hough, a revered motorcycle author, columnist, and riding-safety consultant, lays out a clear course for all riders who want to sharpen their handling skills and improve their rides. This second edition, expanded and now in full color, offers new riders and road warriors the exact kind of advice they need to be prepared for anything when on the road, how to avoid accidents, and how to handle the unexpected. Hough, who began motorcycling in the 1960s, tackles every imaginable topic—from the mechanics of the bike, selection of the right-sized bike, and basic riding skills to night riding, group outings, and advanced survival tactics. In the chapter called “Motorcycle Dynamics,” Hough spells out the equipment needed and basic skills required to control a bike, and specifically keeping the rider’s safety and ability to avoid potentially injurious or fatal crashes. The author is outspoken and direct when it comes to safety, and he emphasizes the importance of the rider’s braking abilities and spells out how to improve them. The chapter offers six tried-and-true techniques for quick-stop tactics, critical for every rider to understand and master. He also addresses other vital skills that riders need to evaluate and improve, such as turning, maintaining balance and stability, and steering. He defines, compares, and analyzes the ins and outs of steering and control: direct steering, countersteering, push steering, out-tracking, coning, u-turns, and directional control. The chapter called “Cornering Habits” is a virtual master class in acceleration, deceleration, use of weight, throttle, leaning, and handling challenging terrain. Hough’s skill as a photographer and illustrator adds a graphic element to his books that leads to immediate understanding of the concepts he explains. The detail offered in each section of the book can only come from decades on the road, and the author is the consummate instructor, assigning homework to the readers in the form of exercises to practice and improve specific techniques that he outlines and illustrates in the text. Any rider who would venture out on the road without David Hough’s voice in his head takes an unnecessary risk with his own life. Proficient Motorcycling takes riders from long, snaking country roads right into the traffic of the big city, and Hough offers the best advice for riders dealing with the most challenging conditions, whether it’s road construction, snap-jawed intersections, skateboarders, or suddenly slippery road surfaces. A critical section of the book offers riders advice on how to deal with automobiles, including aggressive car drivers, oblivious SUV drivers, or “blind” truck drivers. The book offers the kind of first-hand experience that can literally save riders’ lives, as illustrated in the chapters “Booby Traps” and “Special Situations,” which offer evasive tactics and advice to avoid and handle everything from slick surfaces, curbs, and construction plates to ferocious dogs, hazardous wildlife, and difficult weather conditions. The final chapter of the book, “Sharing the Ride,” is geared toward experienced riders who travel together in groups or who travel with a second passenger on the bike. Topics covered are formation, packing for trips, communication between riders, sidecars, trikes, and more. The book concludes with a resources section of organizations, training schools, educational tools, and websites; a glossary of 80+ terms; and a complete index.
Off-road riding is one of motorcycling's most popular pursuits and also one of its best training grounds for improving street-riding skills. Off-road riding takes many forms, from motocross and enduro racing, to dual-sport day trips, to trail riding, to adventure tours. No matter the specific pursuit, all dirt riding (and much street riding) shares the same basic skill set. How to Ride Off-Road Motorcycles schools the reader in all the skills necessary to ride safely and quickly off-road. Chapters cover the basics, such as body position, turning, braking, and throttle control, then proceed to advanced techniques, such as sliding, jumps, wheelies, hill-climbing, and more. If you've ever wanted to try dirt riding or if you're an experienced rider looking to sharpen your skill set, How to Ride Off-Road Motorcycles is a perfect riding coach.
This comprehensive new guidebook to Colorado contains colorful in-depth descriptions of 172 different rides that can be combined in a variety of ways to create the best trips for all riding styles and interests. Each ride is mapped individually, and the individual rides each have their own more detailed maps, along with route descriptions, photos, local points of interest, and historical background information. Regional maps show how the rides can be combined to form journeys from half a day to several days in length, on paved roads or into the back country, or both. Color photos for each ride introduce the incredible variety of terrain, and historical photos placed next to present day shots show how much (or how little) has changed in the intervening years.
Way to Go brings together two epic motorcycle journeys, from Belfast to Delhi on a loyal Enfield, and from Chicago to LA on a Harley Davidson. A thoughtful, hilarious, off-beat adventure story by award-winning travel journalist Geoff Hill.
Forty classic rides through the region’s quintessential scenes * With its spectacular and varied scenes, no other region of America can best the Pacific Northwest when it comes to motorcycle touring—whether a Sunday afternoon ride with friends or a multiday adventure. Now, with Motorcycle Touring in the Pacific Northwest, bikers have an unparalleled guide describing forty classic rides across the quintessential landscapes of Oregon, Washington, and Vancouver/British Columbia—from the rugged Pacific coast to breathtaking islands, from rain forests to deserts, from the Cascades to the Rockies. In friendly prose peppered with anecdotes, sidebars, and interesting asides, Christy Karras and Steve Zusy describe the routes—most representing a day’s worth of riding—and include a map for each, color photographs, and details aplenty on road conditions and terrain, sites worth stopping for, amenities, and side trips.
Provides an insider's view of long-distance riding, explains what draws people to the challenges and solitude of the pastime, and highlights a middle-aged diabetic man who loves riding impossible distances.
Whether considering an ocean-to-ocean cross-country journey, a vacation ride through the Canadian Rockies, a full-length tour of the Blue Ridge Parkway, or an ambitious Four-Corners ride, Motorcycle Journeys Through North America provides the "big-idea" guidance every rider needs to plan fun-filled motorcycle tours throughout the continental United States and Canada. Emphasis is placed on the very best roads, with expert advice on: When to go Which routes to select Areas to avoid Must-see attractions along the way Places to stay and eat You'll also find plenty of first-hand stories and hard-earned lessons from expert touring riders. The only question that will remain is, What are you waiting for?
