Motorcycle Owner's Manual [Paperback]

Hugo Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 26, 1997

Every motorcycle owner can now save money on those regular maintenance jobs with this step-by-step guide to general maintenance covering all types of machines, from scooters to superbikes. Superb photos show in stages how to successfully complete all basic repair and maintenance tasks. Full-color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Prefaced by an "important notice" that this guide should be used in conjunction with an owner's manual, Wilson's bright little book is based on a premise that needs to be remembered: a motorcycle "is a sophisticated machine that requires regular maintenance and periodic repair." The author lays out procedures and routines for simple maintenance (such as tire check and cleaning), then for basic servicing (including oil change and wheel alignment), and finally for more complex jobs (changing camshaft belt and clutch maintenance, for instance). Handy, attractive, and easy to follow--what more could be asked for to make this an essential public library item? Brad Hooper

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT; First Edition edition (May 26, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789416158
• ISBN-13: 978-0789416155
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #356,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Helpful Guide for New Motorcycle Owners, January 31, 2001

By 

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This review is from: Motorcycle Owner's Manual (Paperback)

Your new motorcycle came with an owner's manual. Why in the world would you need a more general one?

If you are like me, you do not really know very much about motorcycles other than how to ride one. The manufacturer's owner's manual assumes more knowledge than you really have, and encourages you to get professional maintenance for all but the most routine matters. But if you love your motorcycle (and who doesn't?), you want to take good care of it.

Here's where Mr. Wilson's guide is valuable. It simply explains keeping your motorcyle clean and safe. It also provides good background on how motorcycles are designed and the parts work. Even if you never plan to do any repairs, you will find this interesting. The photographs are very clear and detailed, and allow you to see what he is talking about.

My only complaint about the book is that some of the explanations assume a level of knowledge above what I have. "If you can rewire a plug, you can work on your bike." Well, I still don't know what "rewiring" a plug is, even after reading the book. My guess is that he is referring to adjusting the gap for the spark, but I'm not sure.

I did come away with a sense of what needs to be done with motorcycles. I recently read a similar book by the same publisher on bicycle maintenance. I found that there are more differences than similarities between bicycle and motorcycle maintenance. Also, because you will be riding your motorcycle at higher speeds than a bicycle, I came away thinking that professional maintenance is not such a bad idea.

The economic benefit from this book will come mostly from helping you be more aware of the importance of preventive maintenance (so you are more likely to do it) and spotting repair needs before they become more expensive. But I doubt if all but the most ardent do-your-own-repair people can hope to recover their money by owning this guide right away. Rather, the return will mostly come from improved knowledge and the comfort you have in knowing that your motorcycle is safer because of your enhanced awareness.

How much conscious competence is valuable to you? You probably don't know much about electricity, but you can turn on the lights. I suspect that you can improve your enjoyment of life if you learn more about how things work that you love . . . and use all the time. A good place to start is to seek out books like this one that explain and photographically illustrate the basics in simple ways.

Have a great ride!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This book is very basic, August 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Motorcycle Owner's Manual (Paperback)

I was expecting much more from this book. It did cover the basics of most maintenance items, but it is a far cry from the manufacturers maintenance/service manuals. If you are completely inexperienced in mechanics I think it would be a good book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great -- both clearly written and informative, October 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Motorcycle Owner's Manual (Paperback)

This is a well written book for those wanting to know how a motorcycle actually works. The author states that " this guide should be used in conjunction with an owner's manual" and he is absolutely correct. Basic maintenance is well documented and the photographs are fantastic. A worthy addition to any motorcyclist's library.