How to Ride a Motorcycle: A Rider's Guide to Strategy, Safety and Skill Development [Paperback]

Pat Hahn (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0760321140 | ISBN-13: 978-0760321140 | Publication Date: October 29, 2005 | Edition: 1st

A beginner's manual especially geared to the needs of entry-level riders, this book provides all the basic instruction necessary to become a motorcycle rider with an emphasis on the challenges faced by neophyte riders. Starting at neophyte level and evolving into a serious, intelligent expert, How to Ride a Motorcycle tells the reader how to be a motorcycle rider with a strong emphasis on safety and big-picture strategy ("think about it this way" as opposed to "do this.")

Editorial Reviews

Review

Minnesota Motorcycle Monthly, Winter 2006 (circ. unavailable)

“How to Ride a Motorcycle can be read, understood and appreciated by all riders, from the absolute beginner to the grizzled veteran. Kudos to Mr. Hahn for writing this long-overdue book. Where was this book when I started out? MMM heartily recommends [this book], singing on four-out-of-four cylinders.”

About the Author

Pat Hahn is the author of the best-selling book Ride Hard, Ride Smart. He is also an MSF-Certified Instructor for 8 years, and Public Information Officer for the State of Minnesota, helping coordinate public information and education for the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center, a project of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Hahn lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

Darwin Holmstrom is the author of Complete Idiot’s Guide to Motorcycles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; 1st edition (October 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760321140
• ISBN-13: 978-0760321140
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #574,268 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceeds Expectations 100 Percent, October 10, 2005

By 

I. J. Reilly "motorcycle nut" (New Orleans, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Ride a Motorcycle: A Rider's Guide to Strategy, Safety and Skill Development (Paperback)

Holy cow, I never would have guessed how good this book was by just the title. I read every book that comes out and this one is going to make a big difference in new riders lives.

This book has everything a rider needs to know to get started: preparation, picking out a bike and riding gear, how to work the controls, how to practice, when to take a rider training course, what to do after you get your license, how to get better and get familiar with different types of roads and traffic, safe riding procedures, and more.

What's really cool is the way Mr Hahn reveals some of the mysteries of riding (countersteering, mental overload, what other books to read along the way) and also attacks some myths that go along with riding, like "If I had to explain, you wouldn't understand" and "laying it down" and "there are two kinds of riders" etc.

Rider attitudes one through four will keep me alive for a long long time, even for an experienced rider I was surprised how much I learned about attitude and evaluating my ability.

There's also a section with drills and stuff to practice on your own after you take the MSF course but before you really head out into traffic. You could probably do these drills whether or not you took the course.

It's easy to read, too, and humorous at times, not as funny as his other book, but this one has way cooler photos and diagrams and important advice for hungry new riders. Anybody who's thinking about getting into riding, or anybody who has been been riding for less than two years should get this book.

I'll be loaning my copy to my nephew when he turns 16. Ride safe everybody.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what I needed, February 21, 2006

By 

Newbie "Jeff G" (Phoenix, Arid-zona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Ride a Motorcycle: A Rider's Guide to Strategy, Safety and Skill Development (Paperback)

I almost didn't buy this book based on that "joke" review below, but boy am I glad I did! There is a ton of information here and it's just what I needed as a beginner!!! I can't wait to take the MSF course this spring and then start using the techniques in this book.

I highly recommend it if you are thinking about getting into riding or if you're going to take the MSF course.

Woohoo!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good writer, but lacking material, February 19, 2006

By 

B. Wertsch (US of A) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Ride a Motorcycle: A Rider's Guide to Strategy, Safety and Skill Development (Paperback)

I liked this book as Pat Hahn seems to be able to write a pretty good book. It was a generally quick read, and an easy one at that. However, what he chose to include and to leave out. I agree with the chapter on how to be a mentor or ride coach. Perhaps Pat is getting a bit ahead of himself? However, in the long run, I' probably go with the MSF's motorcycling Excellence, as it has more information, albeit, a bit dryer.