Motorcycle Touring and Travel: A Handbook of Travel by Motorcycle, Second Ed [Paperback]

Bill Stermer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999

This is THE handbook for anyone interested in travel by motorcycle. Every aspect of planning and executing a trip by motorcycle is covered: choosing the proper motorcycle and equipment, the right gear and how to pack it, dressing smart for various weather conditions including the heat, cold, and rain, tips on accommodating co-riders and other motorcyclists, group riding, camping, safety basics -- and just plain having fun. Stermer has assembled updated information about choosing a motorcycle, tires, lubricants, suspension enhancements, routine maintenance and safety checks, clothing, and travel gear.

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . there's a lot to like. First-time tourers may find the push they need to hit the road, and experienced travelers will likely find that this touring manual is worth the $19.95 plus shipping as insurance against pre-trip forgetfulness." -- American Motorcyclist, July 1999

"Author Bill Stermer provides a wealth of friendly guidance for the motorcycle traveller." Wing World, November 1991 -- Wing World, November 1991

"Bill Stermer's classic "how-to" handbook, Motorcycle Touring & Travel, has been expanded and updated with current information and color photography and is available from Whitehorse Press. Like the original, this edition is a great introduction to all aspects of two-wheeled touring: choosing and maintaining your bike and equipment, dressing properly, packing smart, planning your trip, camping, safety and security and just plain having fun. After all, isn't that what tempts us to take to the road in the first place? Whether novice or veteran, you're sure to pick up some useful tips from this book, making your next road trip just that much better." Iron Works, August 1999 -- Iron Works, August 1999

"I wish I had a copy of this book when I first started touring--it certainly would have saved me a lot of headaches. Even now, 20 years and half a million miles later, there are things in here worth taking serious note of. I highly recommend Motorcycle Touring and Travel." -- Road Rider/Motorcycle Consumer News

"I wish I had a copy of this book when I first started touring--it certainly would have saved me a lot of headaches..." -- Road Rider/Motorcycle Consumer News

"Over the years, I've amassed scores of published works about our sport. They cover the gamut, and, collectively, have had a large effect on my appreciation of our peculiar two-wheeled universe. Yet only a few come off the shelf repeatedly. Bill Stermer's various Motorcycle Touring and Travel(s) are among those few. Yes, Stermer loyalists will note that few pics and some info are familiar. But old or new, most everything is timeless and merits consulting often. In short, take this fine reference and its advice to heart, and you'll be a well-sorted rider - one who can deal competently with any contingency anywhere.

"A virtual biker's refresher course between covers, MT&T is likely to remain such for countless riders. That is, so long as internal combustion is our preferred motive force and "two" our choice from the Wheel Menu, thank you very much." David Walsh, Motorcycle Times -- David Walsh, Motorcycle Times

"Stermer's Motorcycle Touring and Travel is by far the best written and most useful of all the publications reviewed here..." -- Road Rider, March 1992

"The amount and quality of information packed into this slim volume is truly impressive. I heartily recommend Motorcycle Touring and Travel to beginning riders. Seasoned riders will also find it to be worthwhile and salty veterans will enjoy thumbing through a copy before passing it along to the younger motorcyclists in the family." Minneapolis Motorcycle Monthly, May 1999 -- Minneapolis Motorcycle Monthly, May 1999

"This book contains everthing a first-time motorcycle tourist needs to know, and then some, with plenty of photos for the textually impaired.

"Motorcycle Touring & Travel is filled with sound advice for new motorcyclists itching to hit the open road; there's everything from what kind of motorcycle to buy to possible destinations, to camping tips and advice on rider training, organized tours, and travelling abroad." Motorcyclist, December 1999 -- Motorcyclist, December 1999

About the Author

Born at a very young age in Three Rivers, Michigan, Bill Stermer was blessed with a father who bought his son a motor scooter before the lad was even old enough to ride it legally. But ride it he did, and once out of jail and of legal age, Bill advanced rapidly through a progression of two-wheeled machines of varying size and style, from 125 to 1000cc.

After a couple years with Cycle magazine, during which time he tested touring products and rode in Europe, Canada, Mexico and all over the United States, Bill became a freelance writer so he could pursue additional interests. In 1982 he wrote two books: On the Perimeter was the as-told-to autobiography of Hazel Kolb, the "Motorcycling Grandma," and Motorcycle Touring, a precursor to the book you're reading about now.

During the 1980s, Bill Stermer wrote feature articles and tested motorcycles for many American motorcycle magazines including American Motorcyclist, Cycle, Cycle World, Motorcyclist, Rider, Road Rider (now Motorcycle Consumer News), and many others. He also served as editor of Motorcycle Industry, a major trade magazine.

Bill completed the first edition of this book in 1991, and while writing it joined the staff of Rider magazine as editorial director. After four years there he left to continue free-lance writing. He has earned his BMW 100,000 Mile Award, currently owns a BMW R100RS and an R75/6, and plans to fill his workshop with vintage bikes. He reports he is "blissfully married" to Margery, his wife since 1982, and they are blessed with two children, Paul and Julia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Whitehorse Press; 2 edition (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884313159
• ISBN-13: 978-1884313158
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,733,794 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars No real meat, September 6, 2000

By 

Brian Hill (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Motorcycle Touring and Travel: A Handbook of Travel by Motorcycle, Second Ed (Paperback)

Save your money. This is a book for non bike owners, who want a cursory glance at the topic. The author spends too much of the book on non related areas. Engine types, selecting a bike, maintenence, and not enough real meat about the title topic. There are real issues related to traveling by two wheels in safety and comfort, with all the stuff you really need, over a long distance. These subjects are only superficially explored. And anyone who has ridden some of the machines he suggests would make good touring platforms, would know that they would be extreamly uncomfortable over any prolonged ride. Perhaps the authors idea of a tour is a one day hop to someplace, if so, most of his selctions might be adequate, but that really isn't the context of "touring". Another reviewer put it well when he said this book woulod make a better series of magazine articles which tend to be superficial in nature anyway. There are some good points made in the book. Unfortunately for the money they only comprise 20% of the material.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not enough detail after too many wasted pages, April 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Motorcycle Touring and Travel: A Handbook of Travel by Motorcycle, Second Ed (Paperback)

Although I enjoyed the book, the author devotes too much space to general issues (like different types of motorcycles, engine design, etc.) which have been well covered by other books. The real meat about touring doesn't start until page 110. The 47 pages remaining are okay but lacking in detail, frequently suggesting to read other books (i.e., about camping). I wish Stermer had done this for the first 110 pages and expanded the rest.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not for the motorcycle owner, May 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Motorcycle Touring and Travel: A Handbook of Travel by Motorcycle, Second Ed (Paperback)

This is a book that tries to do too much and as a result doesn't do any one thing really well. When you distill all the good stuff down it would be better as a magazine article. I returned the book the first day.