What’s your favorite Motorcycle inspired book.

KennyT
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5/19/2021 12:02pm
Long way round
Long way down

Ewan Mcgregor and Charlie Boormans adventures around the world on ADV bikes has some excellent stories. Very easy read and I finished them both quicker than any other book
SCC
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5/19/2021 12:19pm
MontesaMan wrote:
The author still has a stash of these. Do you guys think there is still enough interest in them ? [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/05/19/493628/s1200_Lackey_book.jpg[/img]
The author still has a stash of these. Do you guys think there is still enough interest in them ?


I have a copy but would buy a freshy especially the first fun as pictured. I have the 2nd run when Brad was on Suzuki on the cover. Let me know if you can hook me up with an original.
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ATKpilot99
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5/19/2021 1:19pm
MontesaMan wrote:
The author still has a stash of these. Do you guys think there is still enough interest in them ? [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/05/19/493628/s1200_Lackey_book.jpg[/img]
The author still has a stash of these. Do you guys think there is still enough interest in them ?


SCC wrote:
I have a copy but would buy a freshy especially the first fun as pictured. I have the 2nd run when Brad was on Suzuki on...
I have a copy but would buy a freshy especially the first fun as pictured. I have the 2nd run when Brad was on Suzuki on the cover. Let me know if you can hook me up with an original.
I have an original that is pretty tattered so I'd replace mine too . It's a great book but not sure how appealing it would be to the younger crowd . I need to get off my ass and get Rob Andrews' book .
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Robgvx
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5/19/2021 1:22pm
theinsidelinebook.com


4

The Shop

ATKpilot99
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5/19/2021 1:27pm
Robgvx wrote:
theinsidelinebook.com [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/05/19/493684/s1200_7EF7B4CF_9B77_4FD5_B760_6C39F0A9E26E.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/05/19/493683/s1200_8F167249_0926_4736_AFF3_9FE209E17246.jpg[/img]
theinsidelinebook.com


Just ordered it .
NMHoleCZ
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5/19/2021 1:46pm
Another vote for Monkey Butt. I last read it about 8 years ago, and my stomach muscles are still sore from laughing.
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Robgvx
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5/19/2021 2:53pm
ATKpilot99 wrote:
Just ordered it .
Thank you!
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5/20/2021 12:18pm
Kudos to Robb Andrews for his efforts in putting his book together - I have ordered one as well.

In terms of other good reads, while it is not a specialized motocross (or even motorcycle) book, Michael Cannell's "The Limit" is a very well written piece following the rise of Phil Hill and his run for the F1 title in 1961. Books which capture the spirit of the times on which they focus can be both interesting, informative and entertaining, and The Limit accomplishes all of those very well.

Of course, I think we all need to bow down to Rick Sieman and his infamous "Monkey Butt". His history is the history of motocross in North America (or California, at least) in the late 60's and early 70's. I read his stuff insatiably in the day, and still enjoy going back over his articles today. Thanks, Rick.

If you are into the more expository, there is Ray Ryan's "Motocross Racers: 30 Years of Legendary Dirt Bikes". Ray was, of course, the famous Aussie who founded VMX Magazine and helped fuel the old bike racing and showing gigs. He, too, was a great guy who, like many of us, lived and breathed motocross. He also wrote a travel book about riding an old Triumph across Asia, but I haven't been able to put my hands on that.

And then if history and a stunning cavalcade of pictures to illustrate it is more your thing, you can't go wrong with Terry Pratt's "Grand Prix Motocross: The 1972 World Championship Season". Terry went into the trenches, camera and pen in hand, to record the full of 250 and Open class warfare that year, and the book is an open window into the era.

And, apropos his recent passing, "Mann of His Time" by Ed Youngblood is an interesting and complete look at the life of Dick Mann, a do-it-all rider the likes of whom we will probably never see again.

Finally, Gunnar Lindstrom's "Husqvarna Success" is a pretty good look at the Husky brand and its Swedish roots told through the eyes of one who was there for much of the motocross development era.
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AbouttheRide
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5/20/2021 12:45pm



This is a great read. I highly recommend this one, this guy is a nut.
1
maicocd
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5/20/2021 1:38pm
Nairb#70 wrote:
Rocket Man Andrews and the Ashby Gap gang
If anyone recognizes this book it will be amazing.
I recognize it...!!! My copy is somewhere buried at my parent's house.

My picture was actually used in the book. Although fictional, it was loosely based on M.A.M.A (Middle Atlantic Motorcycle Association), a youth racing organization.

It was written by one of the actual racer's mother if I recall.
1
maicocd
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5/20/2021 1:58pm
Mondo Enduro is the ultimate book on my long list of motorcycle inspired reads...

True story- several English guys decided to circle the entire globe on Suzuki DR-350's (yes- DR-350's). Only a couple of them really even rode motorcycles before embarking on this journey.

What makes it even greater, is that they did it in the mid-90's without cell phones, internet, gps, etc. This predates Ewan McGregor's "Long Way Round" and I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't influenced by Mondo Enduro.

They actually maintained a daily journal recording mileage and highlights of each day's events- good, bad, funny, discouraging, adventurous, etc.
Written in some dry & offbeat British humor and definitely making you totally wish you had been along for the ride!
And they actually really do a great job making you feel like you are a part of their wild crew.

Although not a motocross-specific read, they probably spend more time traversing over less then favorable roads (and hardly existent roads) then they do riding pavement.

I won't give the ending away on their trip-- but you'd be pretty impressed with them if you read it.

I loved Monkey Butt and learning about early "Dirt Bike" magazine's creation and early days, and I have a soft spot for Super Hunky- but Mondo Enduro is my favorite moto-read of all time!


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Falcon
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5/20/2021 3:01pm
Someday, I'll be able to shamelessly plug my own book in a post like this. It will be called Tougher Than a Speeding Bullet: the Steve Martz Story."

It's about my friend who was shot in Mexico while pre-running the Baja 1000. He survived after riding out (!) several miles to the highway, then being carried in a pickup truck and a janky helicopter to a mexican hospital. I'm still finishing it.
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Tonynz
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5/20/2021 3:26pm
I have just about every dirt bike related book that has come out in the last 40 years.
This is a good read about Canadian racer, Brent Worrall.
1
FreshTopEnd
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5/20/2021 3:58pm
Honestly, these are two of my absolute favorites . . . the Hallman one more autobiographical and Ake's more on training and technique. Great captures of the late 60's early 70's scene, not really literature story telling per se.






Ditto on the Terry Pratt book on the 72 GPs, it is outstanding and a great match to these two.
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KennyT
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5/20/2021 5:12pm
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/05/20/493908/s1200_51R9tlvZiXL._SX331_BO1_204_203_200.jpg[/img] This is a great read. I highly recommend this one, this guy is a nut.



This is a great read. I highly recommend this one, this guy is a nut.
That’s crazy Glen. He grew up in Palm Springs and was known to be the local badass. Hells Angel for awhile. He has some amazing stories to tell on his adventures around the world
Nairb#70
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5/20/2021 6:02pm
Nairb#70 wrote:
Rocket Man Andrews and the Ashby Gap gang
If anyone recognizes this book it will be amazing.
maicocd wrote:
I recognize it...!!! My copy is somewhere buried at my parent's house. My picture was actually used in the book. Although fictional, it was loosely based...
I recognize it...!!! My copy is somewhere buried at my parent's house.

My picture was actually used in the book. Although fictional, it was loosely based on M.A.M.A (Middle Atlantic Motorcycle Association), a youth racing organization.

It was written by one of the actual racer's mother if I recall.
Spot on brother!!! M.A.M.A. used to have a challenge race every year with N.E.M.A. (New England). The author of the book, who definitely was one of the kids who raced mother came to the N.E.M.A banquet one year and sold/signed copies of the book. Unfortunately I think my copy is loooong gone. Amazing!!!Grinning
5/21/2021 8:33am
msp332 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/05/19/493652/s1200_wideopen.jpg[/img] Already mentioned above but this one is worth reading twice.

Already mentioned above but this one is worth reading twice.
I agree. I have a book by Gary Semics also, pic of MC on the cover is great. I should do a coloring book of the up coming AX tour. Page 14 here he is intensive training mid week, pic of me playing pin pong, or that paddle with a rubber band and ball. With my chic that’s always in a bikini, as my training advisor-manager.
1
sumdood
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5/28/2021 10:26pm
Just started this one. So far so good 👍


Vet57
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5/29/2021 2:53am
This will make you laugh your ass off...


1
Paul_Pitzonka
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5/30/2021 6:56am
“Stealing Speed” hands down
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BogDogPenny
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La Habra, CA, USA
5/31/2021 11:24am
Monkey Butt is my favorite
5/31/2021 11:40am
MontesaMan wrote:
The author still has a stash of these. Do you guys think there is still enough interest in them ? [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/05/19/493628/s1200_Lackey_book.jpg[/img]
The author still has a stash of these. Do you guys think there is still enough interest in them ?


My Dad bought this for me when I started racing in 1981. I must've worn the print out reading it so much. Still have it somewhere 40 years later.
kage173
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5/31/2021 1:02pm
Falcon wrote:
Someday, I'll be able to shamelessly plug my own book in a post like this. It will be called [i]Tougher Than a Speeding Bullet: the Steve...
Someday, I'll be able to shamelessly plug my own book in a post like this. It will be called Tougher Than a Speeding Bullet: the Steve Martz Story."

It's about my friend who was shot in Mexico while pre-running the Baja 1000. He survived after riding out (!) several miles to the highway, then being carried in a pickup truck and a janky helicopter to a mexican hospital. I'm still finishing it.
I would read that book

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