Customer Reviews

Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well

5 star:		(207)
4 star:		(46)
3 star:		(22)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

As a born-again motorcyclist (22 years ago I gave up the saddle when my daughter was born, after 8 years of self-taught riding), I read everything I could find about riding technique, style, and strategy. Including the Dummy books, superbike/ego books, brandname books, and a host of others. I re-discovered some old friends from Road Rider magazine, which had morphed into the consumer-oriented Motorcycle Consumer News. There I also discovered David Hough's "Proficient Motorcycling" column, which immediately appealed to me on several levels: he's an unassuming writer with understated yet direct style; his topics were relevant to all skill levels; and, he discussed the minutiae of riding with clarity, consistency, and conciseness. Everything I'd been looking for to re-educate myself on the now unfamiliar world of motorcycling. When I learned this book--a compilation of years of articles and updates--was pending, I immediately pre-ordered it. Yes, this time around I've signed up for the MSF course--but this is the book I'll keep for reference and review.

If you are a born-again, or just starting out on a motorcycle, this book will go far toward putting everything into a natural perspective. For the cost of about four issues of Motorcycle Consumer News, I have decade's worth of words that help me intimately understand exactly what I'm doing on two wheels.

This is the best general introduction to safe street riding techniques on the market -- even better than the MSF's "Motorcycling Excellence," though new riders should read that too. Based on the long running "Proficient Motorcycling" column that appeared first in "Road Rider" and then in its spinoff "Motorcycle Consumer News," the book covers everything from the physics to the gear to the protocols of group riding. The author is a much better writer than the typical bike scribe. The information is sound throughout. It should be on every biker's bookshelf, and I strongly recommend reviewing it at the beginning of each riding season. This man's advice has undoubtedly saved lives. Make one of them yours.

I read this book before taking a motorcycle safely course. It allowed me the benefit of understanding an otherwise poor oral presentation given by the instructor. I put to use the information I had read during the riding portion of the safety course.

Mr.Hough did a great job of keeping me interested when what I really wanted to do is ride like the wind. I could not imagine riding without first reading his book, cover to cover. I have also gone back on more than one occasion to better understand things like the contact patch.

Read this book and stay safe.

As part of my quest for continuous improvement of my motorcycling skills, I've read most of the books that are available. This is probably the best there is; there are some very good tips, the writing is good, and the layout and graphics are excellent. The narrative on how to corner was worth the price of the book for me.

However, the last half of the book is somewhat repetitive and very basic. All of the motorcycle books I've read seem to be about 60-70% too basic, and this continues the trend. I still have many unanswered questions regarding braking and emergency maneuvering. My quest continues......

...by the insight of a rider who's put more seat-time on various bikes in the last 30 years than most 5 people do in a lifetime of riding!

I've ridden for 40 years and found content in the book that made me understand what I (fortunately) had been doing right for many years - but didn't know why.

If you are a newer rider, this book will help you learn to gain in proficiency. If you are an experienced rider, IT MAY HELP SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Simple as that: There are techniques that you've used and habits you've picked up that will DO YOU IN! Mr. Hough helps you understand some of the impact of your habits (that you probably don't realize are dangerous) and motivates you to work at being a safer rider.

His writing style makes what is essentially a textbook seem like a series of short articles that guide the reader through the complicated process (Yes, not everyone has the mental skills to do it well) of safely operating a motorcycle on the streets and highways.

The source for most of this information is a series of articles he wrote for Motorcycle Consumer News over the years and addresses most of the important (and misunderstood) dynamics of turns and braking - along with thorough discussions of various types of road hazards and dangerous traffic situations.

In a friendly and often blunt style, he will help you realize that you are the captain of your two (or three)-wheeled ship and need to take responsibility for compentent operation - thinking well ahead of your speed and sight picture.

You will not regret buying this book and will likely be delighted with feeling that you are making a conscious effort to give yourself (and your passenger) a safely edge.

Buy it!!!

This is one book that needs to be on the shelf of every motorcyclist. Over a period of more than 25 years, David Hough has written the column "Proficient Motorcycling," first for Road Rider magazine and then for its successor, Motorcycle Consumer News. During that time, he has covered hundreds of topics relating to the skills needed for riding motorcycles safely on the streets.

Generations of motorcyclists have grown up with the benefit of Hough's wisdom, some owing their lives to advice dispensed in his columns. Here, for the first time is the distillation of Hough's work, packaged in a coherent, well-organized book. If reading Motorcycling Excellence can be likened to getting your Bachelor's degree in motorcycle riding, reading Proficient Motorcycling will earn you a Master's degree.

I've read a number of books on Motorcycling including the Idiot's Guide, the Motorcycle Safetys book on Motorcycling Excellence, etc. Mr. Hough's book is, in my opinion, the best written and has the most useful information. He gives some exercises to improve skills and he cites studies to back up his recommendations to reduce the risks inherent in motorcycle riding. I've reread his book several times and always learn something new. When anyone asks me for a reference book on motorcylcing this is the one I suggest first!

Hough gives the why of motorcycle riding technique as well as how. When he writes about how to corner on the street he also makes clear why this is the recommended method.

Few wasted words in the text and clear illustrations are another strong point. This is the best book, of the many motorcyling books, that I have read for the nonracing rider.

Before I bought this book I had completed an MSF motrocycling course but the paperwork required to get my license took nearly 3 months. I lacked someone to ride with and was concerned about going out on my own. The book was a gamble on a tool that might refresh what I had previously learned and help me ease out onto the road

The gamble paid off.

This book transfers a state of mind from the author to the reader. It forces you to take safety seriously and to focus on what you are doing when you are on a bike. Beyond the compelling (and sometime humorous) stories, the clearly described techniques for avoiding danger and the excellent graphics, this book teaches you how to think when riding a motorcycle.

The author creates scenarios you might encounter on the road and transports you to those places. He puts you on the bike, he explains what you should be paying attention too and what you should be preparing to do.

Its now been several months since I read the book and got back out on the road. I've put nearly 1000 miles on the bike and will commute to work in good weather. The lessons from the book resonate in my head every time I get on the bike. I have encountered many of the situations covered in the book (railroad tracks, deer, edge traps). Rather than being surprised, confused or panicked by these situations I knew what I was seeing, knew at least some of the options available to me and could plan and react in a cool and controlled fashion.

If your new to riding ( and probably if you ridden for years) this book is worth it.

I bought this book with about 5000 miles of riding experience and it has helped alot. This is a book that every motorcyclist should own. The author also writes a monthly column for "motorcycle consumer news" by the same title. check out this link it is a good example of what the book is about http://www.mcnews.com/ It explains in detail the physics behind what the bike is doing and why. I believe the book has made me a smarter safer rider. It will do the same for you. It also includes actual practice skills for you to improve your riding. great book. In addition take a motorcycle safety foundation riding course, log in to www.msf.org