Rating: 
Summary: Good Intro into Motorcycles
Review: I really enjoyed the book. I thought it gave a good introduction into motorcycles and the different things to look for. And this is from an owner of a Honda Goldwing.
Rating:
Summary: Good book to get you started and enthused.
Review: I was interested in getting a motorcycle when I bought this book. By the third chapter my interest had turned to real enthusiasm and I couldn't wait to get out and ride. The author not only explains the nuts and bolts of riding, but shows you why people are so devoted to motorcycling. This book beats the heck out of a lot of motorycling guides that drone on and on about safety and procedures -- this guide never forgets that motorycling is fun, and it places important safety info in that context.This book also has lots about motorycling history and culture. When you read this book, you'll not only learn a lot about how to chose, ride and take care of your bike, you'll learn why motorcyling is a passion for so many people and what it means to be a competent and happy rider.
Rating: 
Summary: An Interesting But "Lite" Introduction to Motorcycling
Review: I've been riding for about 6 years and bought this book to loan out to prospective riders. Overall, it's not a terrible introduction to the subject matter and fun to read, but light on meaningful content -- representative of this series, IOW. After reading what is not a thin volume, you will be hard pressed to think of anything in this book that you wouldn't have picked up by reading the MSF literature (free!) and the buyer's guide issue of Motorcyclist magazine ($3!). The writer also shows little interest in bike trends and popular sentiment. He extolls the virtues of centerstands, hydraulically actuated valves, and shaft drive and suggests all beginners should buy bikes with these features -- ignoring that only a small fraction of the bikes produced in the past 15 years even have these features. He also suggests that a Katana 600 would be too much bike for almost any beginner, which is complete nonsense. I sympathize with his concern that people looking for thrills get in way over their heads by making their first bikes R1's, but exaggerating the power and dangerousness of sportbikes vs. other bikes is not responsible or honest writing. Also, his love for obscure Japanese standards is something I share, but I do not think it should color the entire book, which is ostensibly targeted at lay persons who probably want to get their hands on a Road King or CBR929. To that end, I do not believe the book at all does a good job explaining why people should not start off on such bikes, other than general and vague statements about difficulty of control. In my opinion, it won't hurt a beginner to read this book, but for what it is it's not particularly good value nor especially insightful.
Rating: 
Summary: I learned something from this book
Review: I've been riding motorcycles for 35 years, and while I may or may not be a complete idiot, I do know a thing or two about the sport. After reading this book, I know even more. A lot of the stuff in here I already knew and there are a couple of things I might take issue with, but overall I learned a lot from this book. For an old idiot like me this book is useful. For a new rider, it would be essential.
Rating:
Summary: Best of Breed
Review: I've never written an Amazon review before, but I do here because I want to tell you about this very useful book. It's non-nonsense, funny at times, and an ideal guide for learning how to ride, buying the bike that's right for you, and enjoying it to the fullest. One of the smartest book purchases I've ever made.
Rating:
Summary: A great book if you're actually a motocycle Idiot - like me
Review: If you don't know anything about motorcycles - except that they have TWO wheels, go vroom-vroom, and maybe you rode your friends once, then this is the book for you to start with. It ISN'T COMPLETE instruction on riding, or maintaining, or fixing, or buying, etc. It covers all that and more. But it does it for the beginner. If you are looking to buy your first motorcycle then this book is great - because it shows pretty much all the bikes available in the US in a great picture index in the back. That part helped me alot. I wanted to buy a used bike, knew what I wanted for looks/size and it showed me what models to track down. If you know motorcycles, have owned them and ridden them, etc. then don't buy this. If you're a complete novice, then start here. NOTE: If you're buying this book to learn how to ride a motorcycle safely in traffic and on highways, then don't get it. Take the ($), put it with about ($) more and take the Motorcycle Safety Foundations (MSF) basic rider training course. You can't learn how to ride by reading a book. Take the course, you don't need a motorcycle or helmet to take it. They provide all that and give you 2 days of on-motorcycle training.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the best book for beginners about motorcycles
Review: If you have a desire to ride or just a curiosity about motorcycles, this is a book that can give you just about everything you need to get started. It covers everything from motorcycle controls to racing. It gives advice on what kinds of bikes are best for beginners as well as those that have the best value. It is a great asset for anyone who is involved or wants to be involved in motorcycles. Don't let the title fool you, you can't find a better book.
Rating: 
Summary: This is not a book for "Idiot"!
Review: If you know the terms, as "cam", "head", etc. You have no need to read this book. If you don't, you still don't know what they are!! Need more pictures, as my son use to say I amnot ready for the "chapter book", I want to read "picture book".
Rating:
Summary: Loved it so much , had to tell....
Review: If you want to know anything about Motorcycles it's in here. I mean Everything from;Beginning to ride to superbike racing. From how to buy used to what to buy new. Prices and reviews of all types of bikes. I would buy this book first then any other. I was really happy to see NO brand bashing. If it has two wheels its covered in this book. Buy this book now and you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing better for basic information
Review: If you've never ridden a motorcycle in your life, this is a great book to pick up. Experienced bike riders will find the book uninformative and will criticize the authors opinions about certain aspects such as sportbikes. The author, although he does an outstanding job laying out the basics such as types of bikes, motorcycle safety, and actual riding of the bike, he is very critical of sportbikes for beginners, and rightfully so. But a novice, properly trained, can handle these bikes provided he knows his personal limits and has respect for the machine. Although I would recommend this book to a beginner, there is no substitute for a training course such as the MSF Ridercourse, offered at most community colleges.
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