Customer Reviews

Honda Motorcycles

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is what a good, accurate, detailed motorcycle book is supposed to be. You get great information and fantastic pictures of original, historically important motorcycles, their riders and the facts that go with them. There is so much speculation these days by people who think they remember what happened, or what a bike was supposed to look like, or when a particular feature was added or changed in a particular model line. This book sets a lot of that straight. It seems the author knows and has spoken personally to the factory racers, mechanics, engineers and competitors to get the information. I got the impression that the author and the historic people themselves were good friends! I got a kick out of the Soichiro Honda quote the first time he rode the great CB 750 in 1969. It really brings characters to life.

Jeff Hackett is frequently used as a resource, as he is one of the top authorities on photographing and restoring old Hondas among other motorcycles. Many of the top authorities, authors and restorers have been accessed to create this book. To top it off I get great, color, engine-out photos of the famous RC-166 and RC-160 motors that so much legend has been made of.

This all in consideration, the book is not the absolute last word on Honda motorcycles, as many models, specifically US models and some others have been omitted or intentionally left-out. Thankfully, there are other top notch books like that written by Bill Silver that pick up any slack that was omitted herein, but this is the best effort so far at being far better than any "coffee table book" and definitely a must for the restorer or researcher. This is not a re-hashed and fluffed-up "coffee table book", as it is really an up-to-date, detailed history with a bit of myth and legend mixed it for good balance and flow. You should read it end to end; but, you can just as easily flip through it now and then for a "fix" as well. Either way, this is one book you should have in your collection.

For the record, I have personally started restoring old Hondas and this book no doubt will pay for itself repeatedly over the years as I take on new projects!

Well written, great photography, well researched sidebars on significant, influential models, more than I expected for the price. Very well done.

Very nice reference book. Glad to have it as an addition to my collection..

Just glanced at the book so far, I'm happy with the purchase, as a major manufacturer, there aren't that many books covering their history. So I appreciate the chance to increase my library.