Customer Reviews

Motocross & Off-Road Performance Handbook (Motorbooks Workshop)

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

 

 

I have been tinkering with motorcycles and dirtbike for 39 years now. I really enjoyed reading and re-reading this book. It contains practical examples on many different models and years of commonly available bikes and also the theory behind how it all works.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to get better at riding and maintaning dirtbikes.

The material in this book may be familiar to seasoned racers and repairmen. But. For me, that is just getting started in motocross, the info I found in these pages was INVALUABLE.

This is a good book and the only one of its kind of which I am aware. On that basis, I can recommend it heartily. However, there is plenty of room for improvement in future editions. Most obviously, the balance of coverage needs to be tipped in the direction of 4-strokes. At present there is a 4-stroke chapter, but it follows three longer chapters on 2-strokes engines and repairs. The other serious weakness, in my view, is the lack of a complete and detailed index. The publisher cut more than a few corners here. There are tons of missing entries: tire, tire pressure, tire selection, tire mounting ... just to give one example. And some entries are silly: "two-stroke engine" with two pages cited, despite the fact that there are three chapters relating to the subject. But all that said, there is plenty of really useful information in the book. The chapter on tuning tips, for instance, is wonderful, as is the extensive range of illustrations.

This is the best source of information I have found for specific changes, upgrades and tuning that applies to late model two stroke and four stroke dirtbikes. Up to the publishing date all the big four's MX bikes are reviewed and gone through to show you what needs to be done to make your bike better. The suspension sections apply to more than just the bikes included in the tuning section. Most of the information in this book cannot be obtained anywhere, it's like talking to an experienced mechanic about specific issues and what to do about them. This is not a piece by piece, step by step repair manual, it's readable. Great book for the dirt biker that chooses to or has to work on their own bike. The sample sections show you how thorough this book is. There may be small errors on part numbers, etc. since I noticed in ordering a part for my 1991 KX125 that the part # had changed over the years or something of the sort.

The previous review is an accurate description.

Gorr's Performance Handbook attempts to cover a huge amount of material -- essentially every aspect of motocross tuning. That's a lot for any single author, especially in a single book. The result is a lack of thoroughness and detail on certain topics. Four stroke motors, for example, are neglected in comparison to his sections on two stroke motors. The book is an updated version of Gorr's older book directed at two strokes.

Still, I like the book because there is nothing else like it. I use at a starting point for tuning information, then follow up with more detailed sources. The chapter on chassis and suspension tuning is my favorite because there is so little information available on this topic.

I can recommend it as an introduction to performance tuning. You will need more info down the road. It was fun to read despite its shortcomings.

This is a must have-must read reference book for any and all dirt bike riders/mechanics. If you are thinking of doing some of your own dike maintenance you will well served with this edition. Even offers some performance tweaks for specific bikes/models.