At wBw we have spent years pouring through every conceivable motorcycle book you can imagine. While the internet is awesome we still love the physical aspects of paper. We tried to organize this page into broad topics that made sense. We cover reviews of books on motorcycle riding, motorcycle training, motorcycle racing, maintenance and repair, touring and more!
Best Motorcycle Books
Some people love to dive in and read every review while others like to skip the detail and just find the best products for sale today. If you fall into the latter these are the lists for you. Every year we review, rate, rank and battle test motorcycle products to find the cream of the crop. Our best of the best lists showcase our top recommendations for motorcycle riders everywhere.
Best Riding Skills and Safety Books – Coming Soon
Best Technology/Maintenance/Repair Books – Coming Soon
Best Restoration/Vintage Books – Coming Soon
Best BMW/Ducati/Moto Guzzi/Triumph Books – Coming Soon
Best Motorcycle History Books – Coming Soon
Best Racers/Racing Books – Coming Soon
Best Endurance/Long Distance Riding Books – Coming Soon
Best Motorcycle Video Reviews Books – Coming Soon
Recent Book Reviews
We’re always reviewing new books and DVDs so check out all our recent reviews here.
Book Review Categories & Book Ratings Index
The wBW Flaming Helmet Rating System: 4 = Fantastic book, a must have; 3 = Really good, should have; 2 = Would be nice to have, but don’t sweat it; 1 = Spend your time polishing your bike! A list of all of the motorcycle books we’ve reviewed, sorted by their Flaming Helmet rating and alphabetically within rating groups!
Best Motorcycle Security Products
The Upper Half of the Motorcycle by Bernt Spiegel.
MSF Motorcycling Excellence, 2nd Edition
Maximum Control by Pat Hahn.
MSF Guide: Skills, Knowledge, and Strategies for Riding Right
Complete Idiot’s Guide to Motorcycles
Pro Motocross and Off-Road Motorcycle Riding Techniques
Riding in the Zone
Street Strategies by David Hough.
Motorcycle Track Days for Virgins
Ride Hard, Ride Smart by Pat Hahn.
Stayin’ Safe: The Art and Science of Riding Really Well
Sportbiking: The Real World by Gary Jaehne.
Secret Skills of Motorcycle Riding
Pro Motocross and Off-Road Riding Techniques
UK Road Signs, Road Laws and Licensing Books
Sport Riding Techniques by Nick Ienatsch.
Streetbikes: Everything You Need To Know
Total Control by Lee Parks.
Performance Riding Techniques by Andy Ibbott
Twist of the Wrist, Twist of the Wrist II by Keith Code.
How To Ride a Motorcycle by Pat Hahn.
Motorcycle Roadcraft: The Police Rider’s Handbook
Smooth Riding the Pridmore Way by Reg Pridmore.
Pass Your Advanced Motorcycling Test (U.K.)
Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough.
Motorcycling Excellence by MSF.
More Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough.
Motorcycle Technology, Repair and Design Books
Race Tech’s Motorcycle Suspension Bible by Paul Thede and Lee Parks.
Modern Motorcycle Technology by Massimo Clarke.
Spark Plugging the Classics by Stan Dibben.
Custom Painting Idea Book by JoAnn Bortles.
Restoring Motorcycle Transmissions by Roy Bacon.
Motorcycle Electrical Systems Troubleshooting and Repair by Tracy Martin.
Haynes Motorcycle Workshop Practice Techbook by John Fidell and Pete Shoemark.
MotoGP Technology by Neil Spalding, Haynes Books.
The Motorcycle Handbook by John Hanney.
Tuning for Speed by Phil Irving.
Ducati 999: Birth of a Legend
Motorcycle Fuel Injection Handbook by Adam Wade.
Motorcycle Dynamics by Vittore Cossalter.
Sportbike Performance Handbook by Kevin Cameron.
The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Maintenance by Mark Zimmerman.
Haynes Motorcycle Fuel Systems Techbook by John Robinson.
Haynes Motorcycle Electrical Manual Techbook by Tony Tranter.
Motorcycle Design and Technology: How and Why by Gaetano Cocco.
The Motorcycle Book: Everything You Need to Know by Alan Seeley.
Motorcycle Restoration and Vintage Motorcycle Books
The Essential Buyer’s Guide Kawasaki Z1 & Z900 by Dave Orritt
The Kawasaki Triples Bible by Alastair Walker.
The Essential Buyer’s Guide Harley-Davidson Big Twins by Peter Henshaw.
The Vincent in the Barn by Tom Cotter.
Building Budget Brits by Mike Brown.
Classic Motorcycling: A Guide for the 21st Century by Rex Bunn.
Historic Racing Motorcycles, Famous Racing Motorcycles by John Griffith
The BSA Gold Star by Mick Walker.
The Illustrated Ducati Buyer’s Guide by Roy Bacon.
Moto Guzzi Big Twins by Greg Field.
The Illustrated Norton Motorcycle Buyer’s Guide by Roy Bacon.
The Illustrated Triumph Motorcycle Buyer’s Guide by Roy Bacon.
Triumph Motorcycles: Twins and Triples by Tim Remus.
Motorcycle Detailing Made Easy by David Jacobs.
BMW Motorcycle Book Reviews
BMW Custom Motorcycles – Choppers, Cruisers, Bobbers, Trikes & Quads by Uli Cloesen.
The BMW GS Essential Buyer’s Guide by Peter Henshaw.
BMW Racing Motorcycles: The Mastery of Speed by Laurel C. Allen and Mark Gardiner.
BMW Boxer from /5 1969 to 1985 by Andy Schweitzer
BMW Motorcycles: The Evolution of Excellence by Kevin Ash.
Bahnstormer: The Story of BMW Motor Cycles by L.J.K. Setright.
BMW R90S – Motorcycle Collector Series by Ian Falloon.
BMW R100RS – Motorcycle Collector Series by Bill Stermer.
Illustrated BMW Motorcycle Buyer’s Guide by Stefan Knittel and Roland Slabon.
How to Restore Your BMW Motorcycle Twins 1950-1969 by Roland Slabon.
BMW Twins: All BMW Flat Twins 1955-1985 Restoration by Mick Walker.
Clymer BMW 500 & 600 Twins 1955 to 1969: Service, Repair, Maintenance
Clymer BMW R-Series by the Clymer Staff.
Haynes BMW Twins Motorcycles Owners Workshop Manual – 1970-1996 by Jeremy Churchill
BMW Motorcycles by Darwin Holstrom and Brian J. Nelson.
wBW Review of the BMW 80th Anniversary DVD!
wBW BMW Motorcycle Books List
Ducati Motorcycle Book Reviews
Ducati Monster Bible by Ian Falloon.
Motociclismo Tells the Story of Ducati by Luigi Bianchi and Marco Masetti.
Ducati Story: Racing and Production Models 1945 to Present by Ian Falloon.
Ducati Design and Emotion by Decio Giulio and Ricardo Carugati.
Ducati: Taglioni and His World-Beating Motorcycles by Mick Walker.
Ducati Desmoquattro Performance Handbook by Ian Falloon.
The Illustrated Ducati Buyer’s Guide by Roy Bacon.
Ducati: Official Racing History by Marco Mesetti et al.
Haynes Ducati Service Repair Manual 600, 750 and 900 2-Valve V-Twins 1991 to 1996
Ducati Desmoquattro Maintenance and Modification Guide 3rd Edition: A “must have” book!
Triumph and British Motorcycle Book Reviews
Triumph Production Testers’ Tales by Hughie Hancox
Triumph Bonneville: Portrait of a Legend by James Mann and Mick Duckworth.
Triumph Motorcycles: From Speed Twin to Bonneville
Triumph Racing Motorcycles in America: Racing History by Lindsay Brooke.
Illustrated Triumph Motorcycle Buyer’s Guide
Illustrated Norton Motorcycle Buyer’s Guide
Triumph Motorcycles: Twins and Triples
Moto Guzzi Motorcycle Book Reviews
Moto Guzzi – The Complete History from 1921 by Mario Colombo.
Moto Guzzi: The Racing Story by Mick Walker.
Moto Guzzi V-Twins: The Complete Story by Mick Walker.
Moto Guzzi Story: Racing and Production Models 1921 to Present by Ian Falloon.
Guzziology 5.2 by Dave Richardson.
Moto Guzzi Twins Restoration: All Moto Guzzi V-Twins, 1965-2000 by Mick Walker.
Moto Guzzi: Forza in Movimento by David G. Styles.
Bill Lomas: World Champion Road Racer Autobiography by Bill Lomas.
Moto Guzzi Big Twins by Greg Field.
Motorcycle History Book Reviews
365 Motorcycles You Must Ride by Dain Gingerelli, James Michaels Charles Everitt.
Modern Sports Helmets: Their History, Science and Art by James A. Newman.
Art of the Basket Case by Andrew C. Bauer.
The Fine Art of the Motorcycle Engine by Daniel Peirce.
25 Years of Buell by Court Canfield and Dave Gess.
Hold ON! by Stan Dibben.
The British Motorcycle Directory by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth.
Exotic Motorcycles by Vic Willoughby.
Classic Images Isle of Man TT Races
Classic American Racing Motorcycles by Mick Walker.
Great Motorcycle Legends by Richard Renstrom.
British Motorcycles of the 1930’s by Roy Bacon.
Café Racers: Rockers, Rock ‘n’ Roll and the Coffee-bar Cult by Mike Clay.
The Mod Years Edited by Steven Myatt.
The Rocker Years Edited by Steven Myatt.
Motociclismo Tells the Story of Ducati by Luigi Bianchi and Marco Masetti.
The Ducati Story: Racing and Production Models from 1945 to the Present Day by Ian Falloon.
Motorcycle Racers and Experience Book Reviews
60 Years of MotoGP & the World Motorcycle Championship by Michael Scott.
Motorcycle Matt by Phyllis Andrews (Children’s Book).
The Last Hurrah by Des Molloy (Book and DVD).
The Rugged Road by Theresa Wallach.
Fay Taylour – Queen of Speedway by Brian Belton.
Fifteen Times by Giacomo Agostini and Luca Delli Carri.
Valentino Rossi Photographs by Micro Lazzari.
Leanings 2 by Peter Egan.
Valentino Rossi – The Autobiography by Valentino Rossi with Enrico Borghi.
Barry Sheene, 1950-2003: The Biography by Stuart Barker.
Mick Doohan – Thunder From Down Under by Mick Doohan.
Hizzy: The Autobiography of Steve Hislop by Steve Hislop, Stuart Baker.
Colin Edwards: The Texas Tornado by Rob Simmonds.
Valentino Rossi – Moto Genius by Mat Oxley.
Joey Dunlop: His Authorised Biography by Mac McDiarmid, Bob McMillan.
Biker Billy Cooks With Fire By Bill Hufnagle.
HEAR ME ROAR: Women, Motorcycles, and the Rapture of the Road By Ann Ferrar.
Bill Lomas: World Championship Road Racer by Bill Lomas.
Motorcycle Touring and Long-Distance Riding Reviews
Bikers’ Britain by Simon Weir
There And Back Again to See How Far It Is by Tim Watson
Zero to Sixty: A Dakar Adventure by David Mills
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook (6th Edition) by Chris Scott
Rolling Through the Isles by Ted Simon
Bonjour! Is This Italy? by Kevin Turner.
The Motorcycle Touring Bible by Fred Rau.
Tortillas to Totems: Sidetracked by the Unexpected by Sam Manicom.
Building the Ultimate Adventure Motorcycle by Robert Wicks.
India: The Shimmering Dream by Max Reisch.
Lois on the Loose by Lois Pryce.
Dual Sport Motorcycling by Carl Adams.
Distant Suns by Sam Manicom.
I See By My Outfit by Peter S. Beagle.
One Life to Ride by Ajit Harisinghani.
Motorcycle Journeys Through the Rocky Mountains by Toby Ballentine.
Motorcycle Journeys Through California & Baja by Clement Salvadori.
Motorcycle Journeys Through the American South by Scott Cochran.
Motorcycle Journeys Through the Alps & Beyond by John Hermann.
Into Africa and Under Asian Skies (2 books) by Sam Manicom.
Blood, Sweat & 2nd Gear by flash gordon, m.d.
Twisting Throttle Australia by Mike Hyde.
The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Travel by Dale Coyner.
Chasing Dakar – by Dr. Jonathan Edwards and Scot Harden.
Monks and Motorcycles – by Franklin E. Huffman. A 1950’s adventure across the globe.
Motorcycle Journeys Through the Pacific Northwest – friendly guided tours by Bruce Hansen
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, 5th Edition – the “Bible” of motorcycle adventure touring.
AMA Ride Guide to America – covers 5 regions of the United States.
Motorcycle Journeys Through the Appalachians by Dale Coyner has 36 day trips with maps and info.
Two Wheels Through Terror is Glen Heggstad’s incredible story of a motorcycle adventure gone bad.
Moto-Maps pre-selected motorcycle tours in several New England states.
Going the Extra Mile – A Handbook for Long-Distance Motorcycling and Endurance Rallies by Ron Ayres.
Against the Wind: A Rider’s Account of the Incredible Iron Butt Rally by Ron Ayres.
Motorcycle Video Reviews
Now on the wBW Motorcycle Videos Page