The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles, 3E

by Motorcyclist Magazine; Holmstrom, Darwin; Everett, Charles

• ISBN13: 9781592573035
• ISBN10: 1592573037
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-04
• Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.

Summary

The most complete book on motorcycles—revised and updated.This revised guide covers how to choose and maintain a motorcycle, how to buy appropriate gear, how to ride safely, and how to make the most of trips. With an updated chapter on new racing rules and venues, and updated material on the repair and maintenance of motorcycles, this book also includes additional resources for beginning motorcyclists. • Features a completely updated buyer’s guide, a revised chapter on new racing rules and venues, and the latest on the repair and maintenance of newer models • Foreword and cover quote by Jay Leno • Written by the editors of Motorcyclistmagazine, the world’s largest streetbike publication

Author Biography

The Editors of Motorcyclist magazine, the world-'s largest streetbike publication, have a monthly readership of over two million motorcycle enthusiasts.
Darwin Holmstrom is the original co-author of The Complete Idiot-'s Guide to Motorcycles and Honda Gold Wing.
Charles Everitt has been an editor for Sportbike, Big Twin, and Cycle magazine, and a freelance writer and editor for Road & Track, Open Road, and American Honda Motor Company.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Biker Basics	1	(42)
The Motorcycle Mystique	3	(10)
The Thrill of the Open Road	4	(1)
Bikes Are Beautiful	5	(2)
The Tao of Two Wheels	7	(1)
Biker Chic	7	(2)
The Art of Motorcycles	9	(2)
From a Wild One to an Easy Rider	9	(2)
Easy Rider: The Convenience of Bikes	11	(2)
A Brief History of Bikes	13	(14)
Humble Beginnings	14	(2)
The Wild Ones: The Outlaws' Conveyance	16	(1)
The Japanese Invasion	17	(7)
You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda	17	(3)
The Japanese Hit the Big Time	20	(1)
Baby Boomers on (Two) Wheels	21	(1)
The Boomer Boom	21	(2)
The Bust	23	(1)
The Risen Hog: The Resurrected Motorcycle Market	24	(3)
Street Squid or Dirt Donk? Types of Motorcycles	27	(16)
Split Personalities: Dual-Sports	28	(2)
Cruisers: The American Bikes	30	(4)
Power Cruisers	33	(1)
Sportbikes	34	(1)
Pure-Dirt	35	(2)
Four-Strokes: The New Power Elites	36	(1)
Street Standards: A Renaissance	37	(2)
The Ultimate Behemoths: Touring Bikes	39	(4)
Part 2: So You Want to Buy a Bike?	43	(88)
Choosing the Right Bike	45	(12)
What Do You Want to Do?	46	(2)
Choosing a Versatile Motorcycle	47	(1)
Getting a Good Fit	48	(1)
Starting Out Small	48	(2)
Starting Out Slow	50	(1)
Best Bets for New Bikers	51	(1)
New or Used?	52	(1)
The Costs of Cycling	53	(4)
Insurance Costs	54	(1)
Maintenance Costs	54	(3)
Anatomy of a Motorcycle	57	(16)
The Nature of the Beast	58	(1)
Meeting the Motor	58	(6)
The Belly of the Beast: The Bottom End	59	(1)
The Transmission	59	(2)
Valve Clatter: The Top End	61	(2)
To Inject or Not to Inject? Induction Systems	63	(1)
The Clutch	64	(1)
Rotating the Rubber: Drive Systems	65	(3)
In Chains	65	(1)
Getting the Shaft	66	(1)
Belt It Out	67	(1)
Putting It All Together: Frame, Suspension, Wheels, and Tires	68	(2)
It's Electric	70	(1)
Bodywork	70	(3)
Start Your Engines	73	(14)
Engineering	74	(1)
The Four-Stroke	74	(9)
The Single	75	(1)
The V-Twin	76	(1)
The Boxer	77	(1)
Edward Turner's Speed Twin	78	(1)
The British Triple	79	(1)
Honda CB750: A Four for the Masses	79	(2)
The Inline-Six	81	(1)
The V-Fours	81	(1)
The Gold Wing	82	(1)
The L-Twin	82	(1)
The Two-Stroke	83	(4)
The Stroker Age: The Japanese Two-Strokes	83	(4)
Buying Your First Bike	87	(16)
Where to Buy Your Bike	88	(7)
Dealerships	88	(1)
Choosing a Dealer	88	(2)
How's Their Service Department?	90	(1)
The Classified Ads	91	(1)
Bulletin Boards	92	(1)
Motorcycle Clubs	93	(1)
Garages	94	(1)
The Internet	95	(1)
What to Look For	95	(3)
Critical: Condition	96	(1)
Completeness	97	(1)
What's It Worth?	98	(2)
Making the Deal	100	(3)
Insider Tips on Buying a Bike	103	(8)
Minimizing Maintenance Costs	104	(2)
Getting Shafted	104	(1)
Getting Centered: The Benefits of a Centerstand	104	(1)
Hydraulically Adjusted Valves	105	(1)
Getting the Best Deal	106	(1)
To Your Credit: Financing	106	(1)
Getting Insured	107	(2)
Trading Bikes	109	(2)
Getting the Gear	111	(20)
Helmets: Home Is Where Your Head Is	112	(3)
How Helmets Are Made	113	(1)
Choosing the Right Helmet	113	(1)
Safety First	114	(1)
Getting a Good Fit	115	(1)
In Style: What to Wear	115	(5)
Looking Good in Leather	116	(1)
Synthetic Riding Suits: Ties Optional	117	(1)
Gloves: How Much Blood Can You Lose Through the Palm of Your Hand?	118	(1)
Fancy Footwear	119	(1)
Extreme Riding Gear	120	(5)
Rain Gear	121	(1)
Freezing to Death: Beating the Cold	122	(2)
Baked, Boiled, or Fried: Beating the Heat	124	(1)
Accessories: All the Extras	125	(6)
Windshields	126	(1)
Saddlebags	127	(1)
Tankbags	127	(1)
Magazines	128	(1)
Where to Buy Accessories	129	(2)
Part 3: On the Road	131	(84)
Preparing to Hit the Road	133	(12)
Getting in Your Right Mind: Mental Motorcycling	134	(1)
Getting Licensed	135	(1)
Getting Your Learner's Permit	135	(1)
Getting Your Endorsement	136	(1)
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation	136	(1)
Control Freaks: How to Ride a Motorcycle	137	(4)
Primary Controls	137	(2)
Secondary Controls	139	(2)
The Preride Inspection	141	(4)
Checking the Tires	142	(1)
Looking at Lights	143	(2)
Learning to Ride	145	(14)
Steering Clear	146	(5)
Parking-Lot Practice	147	(1)
Starting the Beast	147	(1)
Start Your Ignition	148	(2)
Kick-Starting Your Bike	150	(1)
Taking Off: The Friction Zone	150	(1)
Stopping What You've Started	151	(3)
Braking Practice	152	(1)
Parking the Bike	153	(1)
Shifting Gears	154	(2)
Throttle Control	156	(1)
Taking Turns	156	(1)
Taking the Test	157	(2)
Rules of the Road	159	(14)
Driving in the U.S.A.	160	(4)
Be Aware	160	(1)
Active Scanning	161	(2)
Avoiding Blind Spots	163	(1)
Jockeying for Position: Lane Positioning	164	(4)
Keep Your Forward View Clear	165	(1)
Tricks and Trucks	165	(1)
Use Other Traffic as Protection	166	(1)
Be Seen	167	(1)
The Three R's: Riding, Reading, and Reacting	168	(2)
Identify Hazards	168	(1)
Watch the Front Tires	169	(1)
The Safety Zone	170	(3)
Street Survivors: Steering Through Sticky Situations	173	(16)
Intersection Encounters	174	(5)
Types of Intersections	175	(1)
Moving Through Intersections	175	(1)
Stopping at an Intersection	176	(1)
Leaving an Intersection	177	(1)
Turning in Intersections	177	(2)
Avoiding Dangerous Intersections	179	(1)
Freeway Riding	179	(5)
Lane Positioning	181	(1)
Changing Lanes	182	(1)
Rain Grooves	183	(1)
Splitting Lanes	184	(1)
Riding in the Twisties	185	(4)
Traction: A Sticky Matter	185	(1)
Gravity Is Your Friend	186	(1)
Dangerous Debris	186	(1)
Don't Panic	187	(1)
Cornering Lines	187	(2)
Staying Alive: Special Situations and Emergencies	189	(14)
Riders on the Storm	190	(1)
Night Rider	191	(1)
Two for the Road	192	(2)
Oddball Corners	194	(2)
Increasing-Radius Curves	194	(1)
Decreasing-Radius Curves	195	(1)
Multiple Curves	195	(1)
Crowned Roads	196	(1)
Surface Hazards	196	(1)
Group Riding	197	(1)
Group Riding Techniques	197	(1)
Sure, They're Your Buddies, but Can You Trust Them with Your Life?	198	(1)
SOS: Emergency Situations	198	(3)
Losing Traction	199	(1)
Hitting or Being Hit	199	(1)
What to Do After an Emergency	200	(1)
How to Raise a Fallen Bike	201	(2)
Doing It in the Dirt: Riding Off-Road	203	(12)
Form Is Function: Posture	204	(3)
Going Uphill	204	(2)
Going Downhill	206	(1)
Ledges and Embankments	207	(1)
Things That Go Bump in the Road	207	(2)
Surface Conditions	209	(6)
Sliding Through Sand	210	(1)
Wheeling in Water	211	(1)
Riding in Rocks	212	(1)
School	213	(1)
Preserving Your Off-Road Access	213	(2)
Part 4: Living with a Motorcycle	215	(48)
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance	217	(16)
Tools of the Trade	218	(3)
Keeping the Shiny Side Up: Supporting the Bike	221	(1)
Oil: Your Bike's Blood	222	(3)
Checking the Oil Level	222	(1)
Changin' Oil	223	(2)
Air Filters: Clearing the Sinuses	225	(1)
Batteries: An Electrifying Experience	226	(1)
Keeping Cool	227	(1)
Chain Maintenance	227	(3)
Checking the Tension	227	(1)
Adjusting the Chain	228	(1)
Cleaning and Lubricating Your Chain	229	(1)
Shaft Maintenance	230	(1)
Cleaning Up	231	(1)
On Ice: Storing Your Bike	231	(2)
Rx: Repair	233	(16)
Take It In or Do It Yourself?	234	(1)
Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Tires	234	(4)
Removing the Rear Wheel	235	(2)
Removing the Front Wheel	237	(1)
A Screeching Halt: Brakes	238	(6)
Checking Brake Pads	238	(1)
Replacing Brake Pads	239	(2)
Checking Shoes	241	(1)
Replacing Shoes	241	(1)
Brake-Lever Adjustment	241	(1)
A Bloody Mess: Bleeding the Brake Lines	242	(2)
Chain and Sprocket Replacement	244	(5)
Creative Customizing and Collecting	249	(14)
Why Customize?	250	(1)
Comparing Customs	251	(4)
Choppers	251	(2)
Cafe Racers	253	(1)
Streetfighters	254	(1)
So You Want to Customize Your Bike	255	(1)
Classic, Collectible, or Just Old? Collecting Motorcycles	256	(1)
Collector's Choice	256	(2)
What Do You Like?	257	(1)
What's Your Mechanical Skill Level?	257	(1)
What's Your Budget?	258	(1)
What Constitutes a Classic?	258	(2)
Future Classics?	260	(3)
Part 5: The Motorcycling Community	263	(152)
Join the Club: Motorcycle Clubs	265	(12)
How Motorcycle Clubs Were Born	266	(1)
Types of Clubs	267	(7)
Off-Road and Trail-Riding Clubs	267	(1)
Racing and Sportbike Clubs	267	(1)
Antique-Motorcycle Clubs	268	(1)
Make- or Model-Specific Clubs	268	(2)
Touring Clubs	270	(1)
Locale-Specific Clubs	271	(1)
Female Motorcyclist Clubs	271	(1)
Age-Specific Clubs	271	(1)
Spiritually Oriented Clubs	272	(1)
Activity-Oriented Clubs	272	(1)
Socially Active Clubs	273	(1)
Profession-Related Clubs	273	(1)
Creative Clubs	274	(1)
The American Motorcyclist Association	274	(1)
Finding a Club	275	(2)
The Open Road: Touring and Rallies	277	(18)
Any Bike Is a Touring Bike	278	(1)
Planning a Trip	279	(1)
Touring Range and Fuel Stops	279	(1)
Preparing Your Bike	280	(1)
What to Bring?	281	(3)
The Clothes Make the Motorcyclist	281	(1)
Tools You'll Use	282	(1)
Safety First: First Aid	282	(1)
For the Scenic Routes: Photographic Equipment	283	(1)
Protective Gear	284	(1)
You Can Take It with You: Packing Your Bike	284	(2)
Luggage	284	(2)
Camping	286	(1)
Loading Up	286	(2)
Pacing Yourself	288	(1)
Motorcycle Madness: Rallies	289	(1)
Major Rallies	289	(3)
Bike Week: Daytona	290	(1)
Sturgis Rally & Races	290	(2)
Americade	292	(1)
Other Rallies	292	(3)
Speed Racer: Motorcycle Road Racing	295	(12)
A Brief History of Motorcycle Road Racing	296	(1)
Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM)	296	(1)
The American Motorcyclist Association and Racing	297	(1)
Types of Racing	297	(1)
FIM World Championship Grand Prix Series	298	(1)
Grand National Dirt Track: American Racing	299	(1)
Production-Based Motorcycle Racing	300	(4)
Superbike Racing	300	(1)
World Superbike Racing (SBK)	301	(1)
AMA Superbike Racing	301	(1)
AMA Superstock and Supersport Racing	302	(1)
AMA Formula Xtreme Class	303	(1)
Vintage Racing	303	(1)
Other Racing Series	304	(1)
The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT)	304	(1)
Drag Racing	305	(2)
How to Become a Motorcycle Road Racer	307	(108)
How to Become a Racer	308	(1)
Track Days	308	(1)
Vehicular Chess	308	(1)
Levels of Racing	309	(1)
Club Racing	309	(3)
American Federation of Motorcyclists (AFM)	310	(1)
Central Roadracing Association (CRA)	310	(1)
Racing Categories and Classes	310	(1)
Licensing	311	(1)
Racing Schools	312	(3)
High-Performance Riding Schools	312	(1)
California Superbike School (CSS)	312	(1)
Freddie Spencer's High-Performance Riding School	313	(1)
Class Safety School	313	(1)
Team Suzuki Endurance Advanced Riding School (TSEARS)	314	(1)
Star Motorcycle School	314	(1)
Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School	314	(1)
Club Racing Classes	314	(1)
AFM Race School	314	(1)
Preparing a Race Bike	315	(1)
Buying Your First Racing Bike	316	(1)
Appendixes
A Biker's Buying Guide to New Bikes	317	(64)
B Biker's Buying Guide to Used Bikes	381	(10)
C Resources	391	(16)
D Cycle Babble Glossary	407	(8)
Index	415