Customer Reviews

Street Strategies: A Survival Guide for Motorcyclists

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is not a bad book, but don't make the mistake I made of getting both this and Proficient Motorcycling, also by Hough. Proficient Motorcycling contains all the information in this book and then a lot more, and should be required reading for anyone who wants to drive a motorcycle.

This is not a bad book at all. Just by knowing its author any rider can tell he/she will find good learning material inside. But it is not more than a well organized and decorated synthesis of same author's Proficient Motorcycling couple of books. I strongly recommend those as the Bible for street riders. Anyway, if you like, you can take this nice compilation, it's a good choice as a night table book.

Street Strategies is a fine book. However, I'd choose to buy Hough's other book, Proficient Motorcycling first.

Street Strategies is a book filled full of snapshots that warn the rider of potential dangers while riding on the road. Proficient Motorcycling is a book with a larger charge. It warns of road dangers, in addition points the way toward more skillful riding. It has exercises designed to help the rider build the skills needed to avoid danger and feel the satisfaction of good bike control.

I changed my star rating from four to five stars 12/16/01. The book has five stars worth of information. Originally, I was comparing the book to Hogue's "Proficient Motorcycling" which I still think is a better first choice for many riders. However, considered on its own merits "Street Strategies" is an excellent choice.

This book is different from most other books on motorcycle safety because it focuses more on road and traffic hazards than on how to use the brakes or clutch. Some of the road hazards covered in this book are (1) fog, (2) angled pavement, and (3) oil spills; and some of the traffic hazards covered are (1) cars turning left in front of you, (2) cars changing into your lane, and (3) cars entering from side streets.

The author discusses about 73 different topics that relate to motorcycle safety and devotes about two pages to each topic. The first part of the discussion explains the problem and the second part gives you a solution for dealing with the problem. For instance, if the problem is how to make a quick stop while the bike is leaned over in a curve, the solution is to "swerve the bike upright" and then apply the brakes.

Reading this book will give you the ability to recognize dangerous situations and then take whatever actions are needed to keep from having an accident. If motorcycles are a part of your life and you would like to avoid expensive repairs or painful injuries, I highly recommend that you read this book. I found quite a few things of interest in this book, and I've been riding motorcycles for more than 25 years.

Revised 4-17-02

Street strategies is a collection of "stories" that are part or all of articles written by David Hough. The stories are entertaining and similar (if not identical in some cases) to stories contained in Proficient Motorcycling.

This is more of a waiting room kind of book. Very short chapters with cartoon diagrams that give the reader insight into the type of dangers that he/she might encounter in the real world of motorcycle riding and some advice on how to avoid them. It lacks the detail that makes Proficient Motorcycling and More Proficient Motorcycling such excellent training guides for riders.

This book might make a good stocking stuffer for someone who has already read the other books but if your looking for something for a starting/experienced rider pick one of the other two books (Proficient Motorcycling for the starter, "More" for the more experienced rider).

I am a big fan of David's and am on my third time through his Proficient Motorcycling (a must read for all motorcyclists). I bought this book on David's reputation primarily and must say I am a bit diaappointed. While these pages may make great sidebars for other books, after a while it seemed like I was reading the same thing over and over again (be alert, be aware, use caution) in each an every scenario. Some may find the scenarios insightful. I found them repetitious and wanting.

Sorry, David, but don't worry; I am ordering your More Proficient Motorcycling right now.

Hough does it again!

This follow-on to his previous book "Proficient Motorcycling" (also quite good) is very readable and specifically designed to highlight specific hazards and how to spot/avoid them.

The chapters are actually just long paragraphs that are brief and to the point.

I'm a new biker so I really need this kind of info. Even so, I bet that experienced hands would find the topics covered a helpful refresher. They are presented in alphabetical order so the reader can specifically find and focus on a specific situation.

Highly recommended.

we motorcyclists face out there. Sure alot of the situations the book covers are common sense, but lets all face it, when was the last time you thought a loose wooden board on the railroad tracks could be hazardous? And for the price, just being reminded and instructed on ways to overcome these seemingly non-dangerous situations can be is worth ever penny.

Is this book as good as Proficient Motorcycling, perhaps not, if it was I would have given it 5 stars. But's it's worth every penny and you WILL be amazed at the sheer amount of situations covered in this book.

So basically, make sure you have a Dot/Snell helmet, good gloves, nice protective boots, a good riding jacket, some nice riding pants and all of David's books and you will be one of the safest riders on the road...

Ride safe...

"Proficient Motorcycling" by Mr. Hough is the Bible of motorcycling, in my opinion. When I saw this book available by Mr. Hough, I immediately purchased it thinking it would add tons of wisdom to what I had read and re-read in "Proficient Motorcycling". It didn't. I felt it was a repeat of many of the items discussed in "PM". The style of the book is unique in that you can read each topic within a few minutes and put it down to read another topic later. Each topic takes two pages with 50% of the space devoted to graphics/pictures. For those who like the USA Today type of articles, this book is five stars. For myself, I like more details and because of that only give it three. Was it a waste of money - no. Could you spend your money better elswhere - yes - on "Proficient Motorcycling".

Whenever I hear of an Accident, or find Myself in a Dangerous Situation, I can usually find the Scenario of it in this book. If You ride, Read it! You will see MANY Scary-Scenarious YOU have been in... or WILL be in! And Solutions or Comments on how to avoid them, BEFORE they become Real Problems. It is Short, to the Point, and should-be required reading. Hough knows how to Minimize Risk. This book will not teach You how-to ride a bike. It will teach You how-to ride a bike Safer. Book is in a Compact, easy-to-read Format, with diagrams. Thanks Mr. Hough.