The Perfect Vehicle: What It Is About Motorcycles

The Perfect Vehicle: What It Is About Motorcycles

Author: Melissa Holbrook Pierson

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Published: 2011-01-12

Total Pages: 241

ISBN-13: 0393078361

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"This book, a polished, winding meditation on the theory and fractiousness of motorcycles, celebrates both their eccentric history and the wary pleasures of touring."—The New Yorker In a book that is "a must for anyone who has loved a motorcycle" (Oliver Sacks), Melissa Pierson captures in vivid, writerly prose the mysterious attractions of motorcycling. She sifts through myth and hyperbole: misrepresentations about danger, about the type of people who ride and why they do so. The Perfect Vehicle is not a mere recitation of facts, nor is it a polemic or apologia. Its vivid historical accounts-the beginnings of the machine, the often hidden tradition of women who ride, the tale of the defiant ones who taunt death on the racetrack-are intertwined with Pierson's own story, which, in itself, shows that although you may think you know what kind of person rides a motorcycle, you probably don't.


She's a Bad Motorcycle

She's a Bad Motorcycle

Author: Geno Zanetti

Publisher: Da Capo Press

Published: 2002-01-09

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 9781560253174

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Why do people ride motorcycles? Thomas Krens, curator of The Art of the Motorcycle, the most popular exhibition ever mounted at the Guggenheim Museum, writes: "For much of society, the motorcycle remains a forbidden indulgence, an object of fantasy, and danger." And of envy. No other machine is thought of as the vehicle—"the perfect vehicle" Melissa Holbrook Pierson calls it—of rebellion, lawlessness, and freedom. She's A Bad Motorcycle collects the writings of those who have sought that freedom. From the genre-defining—and exploding—Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance to Chasing Che the motorcycle has inspired a startlingly rich, unabashedly romantic body of writing that celebrates the risks and exhilaration of the journey to self-discovery. The book includes selections from Eric Burdon, Harry Crews, Harlan Ellison, Robert E. Fulton, Jr., Che Guevara, Fred Haefele, S.E. Hinton, Dennis Hopper, Richard La Plante, Erika Lopez, Horace McCoy, Allen Noren, Robert Pirsig, Gary Paulsen, Melissa Holbrook Pierson, Patrick Symmes, Keith Tye, Hunter S. Thompson, Lois Wilson, Daniel R. Wolf and Tom Wolfe, as well as photographs by Bruce Davidson, Martin Dixon, Ann Ferrar, Danny Lyon, Helge Pedersen, and Irving Penn.


The Ultimate Motorcycle Book

The Ultimate Motorcycle Book

Author: Hugo Wilson

Publisher: DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley)

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 9780751300437

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A one-of-a-kind compendium of motorcycles for the veteran, mid-level rider, or rank beginner with major dreams. Over 100 classic, celebrity, and experimental bikes are showcased, from those of Lawrence of Arabia to the world's fastest production bike. Over 850 full-color photos.


The Complete Motorcycle Book

The Complete Motorcycle Book

Author: Jim Bennett

Publisher:

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 9780816038534

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A guide for both novice and experienced motorcyclists includes guidelines for selecting and buying a motorcycle, safety tips, maintenance techniques, and a survey of the basic mechanical and electronic systems


Motorcycle

Motorcycle

Author: Steven E. Alford

Publisher: Reaktion Books

Published: 2008-01-03

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 1861894759

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Easy Rider. Motocross Grand Prix. James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause. The motorcycle is a global icon of untamed freedom, symbolizing a daring and reckless lifestyle of adventure. Yet there are few books that chronicle how and when this legendary vehicle roared down the open road. Motorcycle explores the roots of the rebel’s ultimate ride. After early incarnations as a nineteenth-century steam-powered bicycle and multi-wheeled vehicles, the modern motorcycle came into its own as a cheap, mobile military asset during World War I. From there, it rapidly spread through modern culture as a symbol of rebellion and subversive power, and Motorcycle tracks the symbolic role that the bike has played in literature, art, and film. The authors also investigate the international subcultures that revolve around the motorcycle and scooter. They chart the emergence of American biker culture in the 1950s, when decommissioned fighter pilots sought new ways to satiate their desire for thrill and danger, and explore how the motorcycle came to represent the untamed nonconformity of the American West. In contrast, smaller scooters such as the Vespa and moped became the utilitarian vehicle of choice in space-starved metropolises across Europe and Asia. Ultimately, the authors argue, the motorbike is the exemplary Modernist object, dependent on the perfect balance of man and machine. An unprecedented and wholly engrossing account, Motorcycle is an essential reading for the Harley-Davidson roadhog, bike collector, or anyone who’s felt the power of the unmistakable king of the road.


Motorcycle Dynamics

Motorcycle Dynamics

Author: Vittore Cossalter

Publisher: Lulu.com

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 374

ISBN-13: 1430308613

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The book presents the theory of motorcycle dynamics. It is a technical book for the engineer, student, or technically/mathematically inclined motorcycle enthusiast. Motorcycle Dynamics offers a wealth of information compiled from the most up-to-date research into the behavior and performance of motorcycles. The structure of the book and abundant graphs assist in understanding an exceptionally complicated subject. The book presents a large number of graphs and figures that make the understanding easy.


The Big Book of Motorbikes

The Big Book of Motorbikes

Author: Rennie Scaysbrook

Publisher: Rennie Scaysbrook

Published: 2021-10-15

Total Pages: 30

ISBN-13:

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The Big Book of Motorbikes showcases the wonderful world of motorbikes to a new and vibrant generation. Highlighting many of the different sectors within the motorbike space, The Big Book of Motorbikes takes the reader on a two-wheeled journey they will want to read again and again. This is a fun and educational volume for children illustrated and brightly colored by the book's designer, Asim Hussain. From industry to competition, records and just riding for fun, The Big Book of Motorbikes has it all just waiting for you to explore!