I wanted to know if anyone had suggestions or recommendations for motorcycle literature. I'd like to know what the must have books are when it comes to Harley Davidson or any motorcycles in general. Anything to do with history, travel, memoirs, fabrication, etc. I'm talking Bible level stuff like any classics or "have to reads". Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

Shop manual for your particular bike. It's as close to a motorcycle bible as you'll find. If you'll go to H-D main website, I believe you'll find the other books you'd like to have there.

 

I recently read and very much enjoyed two books by Melissa Holbrook Pierson, which are The Perfect Vehicle: What It Is About Motorcycles, and The Man Who Would Stop at Nothing.

The former is about the author's love affair with motorcycles in general and Moto Guzzi in particular -- a very enjoyable read despite the fact that she at times fails to conceal her disdain for H-D.

The latter concerns the astonishing Iron Butt rides of John Ryan, who famously completed the Prudhoe Bay-Key West ride in 86 hours, 31 minutes, as well as the authoress's return to motorcycling after a decade-long hiatus, and endurance riding in general.

I especially recommend the former book, but both are good. I wish Pierson had more appreciation of H-D, but she's such a good writer, I'll forgive her her biases.

 

ZAMM If you like riding philosophy. I enjoyed the chautauquas.

 

Total Control by Lee Parks
Proficient Motorcycling by David L Hough
Mastering the Ride by David L Hough
The V-Twin Tuner's Handbook Vol. 1 & 2 by D. William Denish

 

I am reading Proficient Motorcycling now. It is very practical. I read it when I first started riding but never finished it. It was hard to relate to. Makes more sense now.

I read this book. It was good, but more track oriented.

 

This one is a bit old now but is still a great book that covers a lot of topics.

 

If you want to get the most out of those books, pick up a 250 - 300cc naked or sport bike. Sure those things are not the fastest or coolest looking but they are very light and easy to manage. In just a couple of months my riding technique completely changed for the better and that is after 10+ years of riding strictly cruisers.

 

Excellent list! To it I'll add:

Twist of the Wrist, Volumes 1 & 2 by Keith Code
Twist of the Wrist II DVD is a great visual learning tool

 

My first bike was very light and easy to mange, but still handled the highway fine. (Vulcan 750). I rode a Virago 250 for a week. Not a very practical bike for highway speeds.

Funny thing about Proficient motorcycling is I am already using most of the recommended techniques, as his book shares a lot of the advice you get in the BRC, and SRC. But he does a nice job of connecting the dots, instead of giving you isolated dots.