The Soft Science of Road Racing Motorcycles [Paperback]

Keith Code (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1986

<DIV>This exceptional workbook for road racer and sport rider details the process of high speed thought. Hundreds of questions aimed at solving the barriers of speed allow you to dissect your riding and pinpoint problem areas. This book elevates road racing into its proper place among the most demanding sports in the world. Here, the dynamic relationship between the rider and road is defined and ordered into a useable form. Filled with margin notes by World Champion Wayne Rainey. 6th ed. </DIV>

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book might not be for every rider. But the data on the different kinds of plans that one can make in relation to riding I think is excellent. Also, when you see the comments by Wayne Rainey (a hero of mine for sure), then you know this information applies at the top level of riding. Also, the section on one's sense of speed--I've been doing some racing and around racetracks for years, and there isn't anyone else that even talks about this (not in a fashion I can understand that is). The checklists that Code provides at the end of the chapters can really help pinpoint a riding problem. That is valuable to me. Again, not for everyone, but a little reading of this book, and a little patience with one's own riding can equal big gains. Well worth it. --A Customer

I just read an interview with 7 time world champ Valentino Rossi, and he talked about riding as a mental sport. Obviously Code had some things to say about that, and a long time ago. 20 years ago when I was endurance racing on a team of 3, my other teammates were both faster than I was. I didn't race as much as they did, so I had to figure out antoher way to pick up the skills. The short story is this book took me from slowest to fastest of our little team, and I raced the least. Just a little reading, then put it to use. I've heard that some really top racers did this too, so I guess I'm not the only one! --Craig G "Craig"

I have roadraced for about 5 years now and have used the checklists in this book MANY times to help answer questions that I didn't even know existed within myself. Having this book handy helps since I don't always have Keith there to ask me the proper questions. There are certainly things that should be thought out after a ride or practice session and this book HAS THE QUESTIONS to think with!!!!! I really recommend this book to anyone who wants to ride faster and/or better through those twisty corners. GREAT BOOK! --Stoney Landers --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Keith Code Keith started riding in the dark ages of motorcycling, the 1950's. He first raced in the 60's at age 16, again in the 70's, 80's and 90's. He went to design school; was a photographer; designed and manufactured shoes for the stars; sold pretzels on the street; was a full on drug addict in the 60's; cleaned up with Dianetics; became a writer, inventor and dedicated himself to understanding and teaching the art of riding motorcycles. He was the first person to put words to roadracing and riding, and his research continues today. Keith lives in Glendale, California with his soul mate of 40 years, Judy. He has one son, Dylan. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 175 pages
• Publisher: Acrobat Books; 1st edition (December 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0918226112
• ISBN-13: 978-0918226112
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,607,279 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soft Science of Road Racing Motorcycles, September 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Soft Science of Roadracing Motorcycles: The Technical Procedures and Workbook for Roadracing Motorcycles (Paperback)

This book might not be for every rider. But the data on the different kinds of plans that one can make in relation to riding I think is excellent. Also, when you see the comments by Wayne Rainey (a hero of mine for sure), then you know this information applies at the top level of riding.

Also, the section on one's sense of speed--I've been doing some racing and around racetracks for years, and there isn't anyone else that even talks about this (not in a fashion I can understand that is).

The checklists that Code provides at the end of the chapters can really help pinpoint a riding problem. That is valuable to me.

Again, not for everyone, but a little reading of this book, and a little patience with one's own riding can equal big gains. Well worth it.

21 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quite good technical reference, April 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Soft Science of Roadracing Motorcycles: The Technical Procedures and Workbook for Roadracing Motorcycles (Paperback)

Soft Science of Road Racing Motorcycles is quit a good book for tuning your race bike. But it's intended for recrational use. For real racer's it's to basic. While tuning my own bike it was usefull to use the books. The comments are also very handy. It does explain tunning a lot of different bikes so it can be very wide used. All in all it wasn't a bad book at all espiaccialy if you are a 'recrational' racer!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very good book, November 5, 2006

By 

David S. Ellis (Omaha, NE United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Soft Science of Roadracing Motorcycles: The Technical Procedures and Workbook for Roadracing Motorcycles (Paperback)

I think Twist of the Wrist 2 is a superior book, but the Soft Science is also a decent read. The concepts are fairly intuitive, but there are many good artifacts of infomation. I recommend only purchasing this book AFTER Twist of the Wrist 2. The concepts aren't cummulative, but Twist of the Wrist 2 is simply a better textbook - in my opinion.