Rating: 
Summary: Brock Says It Well
Review: I finally found the the words I needed to tell a friend in this book - "...Like most Japanese products, Honda motorcycles offered perfect function but no passion." That clearly describes the difference between those of us on scoots and the wannabe racers on rice rockets. Brock brings his awesome powers of observation and ability to get the facts straight to this book, and leaves no doubt in any readers mind of the bad, the good and the VERY ugly in the story of an American icon - Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. If you are a true student of the marque as well as a business buff, this is a must-read on both counts.
Rating: 
Summary: Another author cashing in on us
Review: I would have thought that someone with the credentials of Mr. Yates would have done better. Instead, he serves up a book that is full of errors that should have been corrected with entry-level research. When something as basic as the correct year for the 50th anniversary of Sturgis is mis-stated, the complete lack of any interest in factual information is evident. I would dare say that Mr. Yates would never tolerate repeated mis-statements of fact without researching the subject in his magazine. He should be ashamed of this. Unfortunately, what he have is just another author whipping up a book without regard to content in the sole search for profit. Please don't waste your money as I did.
Rating:
Summary: A captivating writer spinning a great yarn.
Review: I've read most of Brock's books and have enjoyed them immensely. Here he takes the reader on a historical tour of a timeless marque. He does it with his usual style, good humor and enlightened cynicism. He stands not in awe of the "Milwaukee monsters", but is a chronicler who dares to point out the pluses and minuses of a machine whose very existence is a minor miracle. They aren't high tech, can't compare in quality or performance with their Japanese competitors but enjoy a cache rarely afforded a product that falls short in so many areas.But Yates finds a way to explain this phenomena. He calls a spade a spade, but in doing so penetrates the veil of intense loyalty exhibited by the Harley Davidson trifosi. I own six Harleys and love them all! This is a fun book and a great read. Yates has another winner that deserves to be in the library of any Harley lover. Clint Allen- The Allen Vintage Motorcycle Museum.
Rating:
Summary: This is a great book for anyone interested in V-twin Bikes!
Review: In my opinion Brock Yates does one of the best jobs to date in relating the real ("non-corporate")Harley Davidson Factory story especially as it relates to the long standing conflict between the factory's desired clean cut "Harley Rider" image and the outlaw/1%er culture which has and continues to be one of the primary driving forces behind the current boom in American V-twin Motorcycles. It's well written and presents both sides in a fair and objective manner. Additionally, Yates really understands and accurately relates the underlying "In Your Face" attitude that most riders don't talk about, yet rides with them (us) every mile. This is a great book for anyone interested in the American V-twin lifestyle be they new to it or a long term patch holder. As a lifelong rider and advide collector of both biker books and movies, I classify "OUTLAW MACHINE" as a "must have" for anyone interested in the subject. It certainly contains information that was new to me. It's also especially good for newcomers in that it provides a very good overview while not becoming bogged down in the alphabet soup of model designations and biker jargon. GREAT JOB BROCK!
Rating: 
Summary: Good Introduction to Bike History
Review: Incredible. Almost never has a book shown such a lack of research, and an abundance of inacuraccies.For an author to make such incredible mistakes in his material is bad. For a journalist? Inexcusable. Mr.Yates proved time and time again that his research was lacking. Even without those, Mr.Yates' Holier-than-thou, know-it-all attitude was off-putting at best. For example, a statement which wasn't even related to bikes (about Daytona Bike Week): "A visitor to Bike Week might conclude that this is a lilly white crowd. There are no blacks and no Hispanics, no minorities of any kind." Obviously, ol' Brock has looked at every visitor to Bike Week, and has also asked them all about their lineage. This last statement is so ridiculous, it's almost funny. The only reason I gave this book 2 stars instead of 1 is because some of the pictures were interesting. The text added absolutely nothing of interest, for the innacuracies were just overbearing. Save your money. There are many other books with much more details about the history of Harley-Davidson. I wouldn't consider this one "research"!
Rating: 
Summary: A journalist wrote this?
Review: Incredible. Almost never has a book shown such a lack of research, and an abundance of inacuraccies. For an author to make such incredible mistakes in his material is bad. For a journalist? Inexcusable. Mr.Yates proved time and time again that his research was lacking. Even without those, Mr.Yates' Holier-than-thou, know-it-all attitude was off-putting at best. For example, a statement which wasn't even related to bikes (about Daytona Bike Week): "A visitor to Bike Week might conclude that this is a lilly white crowd. There are no blacks and no Hispanics, no minorities of any kind." Obviously, ol' Brock has looked at every visitor to Bike Week, and has also asked them all about their lineage. This last statement is so ridiculous, it's almost funny. The only reason I gave this book 2 stars instead of 1 is because some of the pictures were interesting. The text added absolutely nothing of interest, for the innacuracies were just overbearing. Save your money. There are many other books with much more details about the history of Harley-Davidson. I wouldn't consider this one "research"!
Rating:
Summary: Harley Davidson image is all outlaw based, and phoney
Review: Mr. Yates has written an excellent short history of Harley Davidson that brings one point very clear. The whole image of Harley Davidson is owed to the Hell's Angels and the like. Current riders for the most point , RUBS, can pretend to be an outlaw, look like and outlaw and ride the outlaw machine, without being one. It's all about image, and that is a shame. Because Harley Davidson makes great bikes and could and will sell on their merrits. I often wonder how well Harley would sell bikes, if it were not for the outlaw image. I found this book interesting and a great read.
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Summary: Outlaw Machine: Harley-Davidson and the Search for the Ameri
Review: This book was a good read and entertaining. I would take issue though with Brock Yates analysis of Robert Pirsig's (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance) motorcycle being a BMW. John and Sylvia Sutherland, Robert and his son Chris' companions, were the ones thought to be riding "dependable BMW's" because they did not understand motorcycle mechanics. It is thought but not known for sure, that Pirsig was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and thus the constant adjustments that were made to it during the trip. The tip off for motorcyclists is that you sure don't oil or adjust a chain on a BMW. I doubt the author has a motorcycle or rides one.
Rating:
Summary: Brock Yates has delivered!!!
Review: This is a thinking man's guide to Harley Davidson, but moreover a thoughtful anaysis of what primeval forces are at work in the market place and in our psyches causing us to lust after such a machine. Brock Yates addresses such questions as: Why do respectable dentists and stock brokers long to be week-end outlaws; why does riding a Harley symbolize rebellion against an over-regulatory society; and why do the clueless Japanese continue to offer high tech versions of the Harley. Personally, I never knew absolutely why I chose to ride a Harley or why I continue to cling to the nebulous Harley Davidson mystique, but after reading this book, I think I do. This book is a must read for the Harley enthusiast or even the non-enthusiast who simply wants to understand all the fuss!
Rating:
Summary: Outlaw Machine? Try Walter Mitty Machine
Review: Whatever Harleys were in the 50's and 60's, they are not that now. The people that I know that ride "Hardleys" are weekend Walter Mittys, college presidents, accountants, lawyers, even ministers, "hardley" the outlaw type. If a Hardley is an American Icon then we are in worse shape then I thought. These bikes appeal to people who are impressed by image, not substance, the "it sounds cool so I want one" crowd. Yugo-Davidson's engines have push rods, leak oil, and the bolts vibrate loose. Japanese bikes, that Yates loves to maline, do none of these things, or they used not to. I understand the Japanese are coming to our rescue, in order to appeal to the savy American "Outlaw" market, they are going to make their Yugo-Davidson clone bikes more authentic. At least one manufacturer is going to build a permanent vibration into their engines. Sounds like the American Icon is going to have some competition. Maybe they can also build in an oil leak and bolts that fall out. Should make it a best seller. Yates, I have a great idea for your next book, "Outlaw Car, Ford Pinto". This could be the next American Icon.
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