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Best Pictorial Motorcycle Books

Phil Cross: Gypsy Joker to a Hells Angel: From a Joker to an Angel
"Phil's new book Gypsy Joker To A Hells Angel is based on 44 years as a Hells Angel. Like the bogus chapter of the Hells Angels, this turned out to be a club whose brotherhood was run by a man Mr. Cross describes as “a complete asshole.” One day, Mr. Cross stuffed the leader in a ringer-type washing machine and joined a club called the Gypsy Jokers. Eventually Phil and many of his fellow Jokers realized that the only way to end the battle with the Hells Angels was to become Hells Angels, so most of the San Jose Charter patched over to become the San Jose charter of the Hells Angels. Phil Cross: Gypsy Joker to a Hells Angel tells the story of one man’s fifty-plus-year life in the unique, often dangerous, and always exciting culture of the three-patch motorcycle club. Phil Cross: Gypsy Joker to a Hells Angel chronicles Cross’ life and times in his own words and photos, from his early years with the Gypsy Jokers through his forty-plus-year career as a Hells Angel, a career that led to his being a fugitive on the FBI’s most-wanted list (more than once) and a stint in prison.
Reviews
"This is an interesting book."
"There are a ton of vintage photographs of bikers and bikes and locations across America and the world. While not necessarily all of the stories are 100% true (as winked at in both the afterword, and in the very, very carefully written disclaimer on the copyright page), they probably pass the test of being "true enough". It does get a bit hard to follow him at times -- these are intensely personal stories, and he also makes liberal use of nicknames to describe his ever-changing array of friends and club brothers; it's often hard to relate to a lot of his stories, simply because the who's-who gets confusing."
"Phil does an amazing job of transforming the life he lives into words that make you feel like you know him, and I would say to those who do know him they are very lucky to be in the company of such a man! He's brutally honest about everything and he has such an optimistic outlook on life that can probably have something to do with his wonderful wife, Meg."
"It was real good to get the inside story on some people who "went away" but I only heard rumors (Armond) and wondered. I lived in San Jose, Santa Cruz, behind the Brookdale Lodge,and Eureka."
"Its a very good book - even when you can tell he's leaving out the best parts of the story for legal reasons."
"i loved your boo."
"I found Plil's book to be a very well written book filled with great photos.I highly recommend this one to anyone loving motorcycles and club life.Even though he didn't get into many much about 81,it was still a great read.I'd like to see him do a work of fiction,so he can put down the real crazy life of being a 1%er,and get away with it cause it's written as fiction.Thanks Phil for talking about the G rated part of your life.I'm glad you're still with us to write about it.I'm looking forarad to your next book."
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How to Ride Off-Road Motorcycles
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. He begins with the basics of shifting, stopping, and turning, and moves on to more advanced techniques such as hill climbing, wheelies, jumping, and power slides. How to handle specific trail obstacles such as rocks, ruts, and water crossings is also detailed in the colorful how-to photo sequences found throughout the book. Gary also gives sound advice on how to choose the bike that’s right for you and how to maintain it for optimum performance; how to deal with the weather, altitude, and trail conditions found throughout the country; off-road etiquette; and racing techniques for motocross and trials competitions. Gary LaPlante (southern California) has over 43 years of experience riding, racing, testing, and working on a wide variety of motorcycles.
Reviews
"This book breaks down all aspects of riding and, with practice, opens up all the mysteries that lead to more confidence and ultimately, smoother, faster more confident riding."
"I bought this book for my girl friend who just started riding and she told me that she really enjoyed it and it helped make the concepts that I tried to teach make sense."
"This book seems like a good primer or refresher for off road riding, but the key will be to get out and practice."
"Through regular practice this book will improve your offroad skills."
"This book presented me with a clear lesson plan for improving my offroad motorcycling skills."
"I enrolled my son in Gary's level 2 class, and this book is the perfect companion and reference."
"heavily focused only on motocross and trials/ enduro type riding."
"Good Book for those who want to know technics for offroad motorcycle."
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The Vincent in the Barn: Great Stories of Motorcycle Archaeology
From Ducatis in basements to Vincents abandoned in sheds, Harleys in barns to Brit bikes moldering behind urban garages, these are the stories that fuel every motorcyclist’s fantasies. “…a thoroughly fun romp through a corner of the hobby most of us wish we inhabited – and swear we someday will.” – Motorcycle Classics. “From Ducati’s in basements to Vincent’s in sheds, here are dozens of stories and accompanying images of the dream coming true! Most of the stories are only a few pages long and read like high octane archaeological thrillers…kind of like “Indiana Jones meets the World’s Fastest Indian.” Some of the writing is priceless. “The Vincent in the Barn” truly does contain “Great Stories of Motorcycle Archaeology.” It rates four out of five lug nuts and is available at SPEEDtv.com, Keyword “Books.” I’m really starting to miss my 1972 650cc Yamaha I rode in college.” - SpeedTV.com It’s every motorcyclist’s dream. And rather than the usual worthless Hondazukimaha pile of hopeless oxidation, at the back of that barn you find a genuine classic, the motorcycle collector’s dream. From Ducatis in basements to Vincents abandoned in sheds, Harleys in barns to Brit bikes moldering behind urban garages, these are the stories that fuel every motorcyclist’s fantasies.
Reviews
"The third book in Cotter's series of ____In the Barn books, this collection of stories is a nice twist on the original concept delivered by The Cobra in the Barn."
"Edwards and Cotter have somehow gathered some unique stories of rare and sometimes quite valuable motorcycle finds in unusual places."
"I have owned over 32 motorcycles in my 71 years and most were barn, chicken shed, or up-side-down in ditch finds."
"It shows very clearly how you must have $ to collect rare bikes…which is OK I quess."
"Great little stories of what I hope to actually stumble upon myself one day."
"Many individual accounts of the discovery of old motorcycles (and parts of old motorcycles) in unlikely places."
"What a great read."
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Best Motorcycle History

Leanings 3: More Moto-philosophy and Tales from the Road
Peter Egan's writing invites you to pull up a chair, pour a little scotch, and relax while he shares with you his tales from the road, his motorcycling philosophy, and his keen observations about the two-wheeled life. Peter Egan is one of the most readable writers in the motorcycle enthusiast world.
Reviews
"When you finish reading a page, your hair is actually wind blown, and you can smell the pine trees and corn fields as you have been riding along with him."
"Articles by Peter Egan and Kevin Cameron were the sole remaining reasons why I continued to subscribe to Cycle World."
"I am a regular reader of Peter Egans columns but I find having the collected columns together like this better."
"A wonderful read, I miss his regular columns both here and in Road & Track."
"The last of the series of articles that Peter wrote."
"I own and have read volumes 1 and 3 and the stories capture the excitement, wonder, camaraderie, craziness, perverse logic, and sometimes pain that is motorcycling."
"Cant get enough of this scibes scribblings."
"His wit and self-deprecating humor, along with his background and knowledge of man and machine, add up to a collection of yarns that make you love motorcycling, or wish you could."
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Best Motorcycle Repair & Performance

Total Control: High Performance Street Riding Techniques, 2nd Edition
Total Control provides you with the information you need to stay on the healthy side of that line, providing a training course developed and perfected through decades of professional training in Lee Parks' Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic. This is the perfect book for riders who want to take their street riding skills to a higher level. He also finished 2nd in the 1994 AMA 125GP national championship in its exhibition year.
Reviews
"After you read this you will be more informed than 90 percent of those squibs on the streets."
"They are David Hough (Proficient Motorcycling series) for thinking about riding on the street, Lee Park's Total Control and Nick Ienatsch's Sport Riding Techniques. Seems silly to ride in a parking lot but doing so and following Parks drills have really helped me pick up my riding."
"The push with the left to turn left and not use any input from the right hand is a comcept well explained and I am eager to experience how it will positively impact my cornering habits at my upcoming track days."
"The book is a very entertaining read filled with clear descriptions and advice on how to improve one's riding skills. In my view "Total Control" is one of the better values for street riders."
"Great informational document."
"The competitive high speed info is good to know but not really for street riding nor my style of riding at this stage and age."
"Great book!"
"Excellent book, getting many tips."
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