MCN’s pick of the the best motorcycle books | Great stories still matter in the age of digital

Updated: 20 December 2024

Motorcycle books_person reading a motorcycle book

Motorcycle books might seem like they’re from a bygone era in this online age where YouTube and social media dominate. But humans are still humans, and the love of great storytelling has been part of our DNA since before the wheel was invented.

As much as we enjoy the windows of freedom that riding our motorcycles give us, many of us are tethered to our responsibilities.

Motorcycle books allow us to enter the worlds of those who do break free of the daily routine to challenge the laws of science and limits of speed on the track, or embark on adventures through distant lands.

Most motorcycle books fall in the nonfiction category, and include warts and all autobiographies, travel adventures and guides, technical maintenance manuals, how-to guides from beginner to advanced, coffee-table photo volumes, and one of the best selling philosophy books of all time.

We’ve put together a selection of “Read and Recommended” books from the team at MCN, along with others you might enjoy.

Some of our “Read and Recommended” books

'Jupiter's Travels', by Ted Simon

Expert rating:

5.0

Price: $15.94

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Read and recommended by Ben Clarke

As a listless third year university student, a mate of mine gave me a copy of Jupiter’s Travels and told me to read it. He knew what he was doing. A few weeks later he asked if I fancied touring the Americas by motorbike after we graduated, and I took less than a second to answer.

There’s no pretence or bravado in Simon’s writing. If he didn’t have a clue what he was doing in the early days of his trip (which was one enormous lag from the start) then he says so.

It makes the whole business of motorcycle travel seem accessible and like something we should all try, regardless of skills, knowledge or funding.

I had the privilege of meeting Ted at the MCN London Motorcycle Show one year and he’s every bit as charming, honest and approachable as I’d hoped he would be. Even if it doesn’t inspire a trip of your own, you won’t regret giving Jupiter’s Travels a read.

'The Moment Collectors Asia', by Sam Manicom and Friends

Expert rating:

5.0

Price: $25.00

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Read and recommended by Justin Hayzelden

Inspiration comes in many forms, not least in print, and this book of short stories about motorcycle travel is absolutely loaded with the stuff. Each chapter left me utterly entranced and wondering whether I should pack it all in and head off into the sunset on an adventure of my own.

The essence of ‘The Moment Collectors Asia’ is to capture a highlight from twenty different travellers as they experience the highs and lows of life on the road in one of the most geographically fascinating and culturally rich areas of the globe.

Lovingly curated by Sam Manicom, it tells not just the tales, but gives an insight into the people behind the pen and the bikes they ride. It’s the perfect antidote to a dark, grey winter, and a wonderful book for dipping into as needed. I carried my copy around for a couple of months, immersing myself into each story as and when I had the time to really drink it all in. But be warned – there’s a danger it might change your life!

Guy Martin: My Autobiography

Expert rating:

5.0

Rrp: $19.95

Price: $13.78

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$6.39

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Macy's

$15.99

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Read and recommended by Charlotte King

I read this book as I have always been a fan of Guy Martin. The book is written exactly as you would expect it to be, it reads as if Guy is speaking to you with all his mannerisms and accent quirks come across on the page. He goes through many of the key experiences of his life including his upbringing, family and the racing, giving a nice insight into the man that doesn’t really like to be in the media and public eye.

I really enjoyed the relaxed style of writing where I could almost hear his voice in my head as I read through the pages. It gives a bit of an idea of how his mind works and why he enjoys such brutal and terrifying challenges so much. If you’re a fan of Guy Martin, then I would definitely recommend it as a relaxing read that can be picked up and put down whenever you have a spare hour or so.

Pros

Cons

Leathered: A Life Taken to Extremes by John Hopkins

Expert rating:

5.0

Price: $14.99

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Read and recommended by Ben Clarke

Some stories transcend their genre and this autobiography from American racer, John Hopkins, certainly fits the bill. There’s plenty of behind-the-scenes racing detail for avid bike fans to get their teeth into but even non-bikers will enjoy (or maybe squirm along with) tales of drunken excess, addiction and even drug smuggling!

His accounts of his (many) crashes leave nothing to the imagination, either, and miraculously not one seems to have been his fault… It’s riveting stuff from start to finish and, despite being a fairly slow reader usually, I burned through it in a few days.

Pros

Cons

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig

Expert rating:

5.0

Price: $19.03

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Read and recommended by Phil Clarke

As motorcyclists we have quite a few wins on our team, but I didn't expect we'd have the best-selling philosophy book of all time on our side — not before I started reading it, anyway. The book's influence can't be understated, and it remains just as relevant today as it was when it made its 1974 debut. So, when I got to the first chapter I had high hopes.

And, by the time I'd finished Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, the experience was definitely a rewarding one. Any rider can understand (and probably relate to) all the philosophical quandaries posed throughout the story, poking right at the core of why we ride as we follow the author during the ride of his life.

It's incredibly thought provoking (not exactly light reading), and well written as a philosophical commentary that doubles as a part-fictional autobiography. It definitely expanded my horizons, even if only because I'm not afraid to change the oil in my own bike anymore.

Miles - The Art of Losing a Motorcycle Race by Malle London

Expert rating:

5.0

Price: £48

mallelondon.com

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Read and recommended by Adam Oldfield

As far as capturing the moment goes, there is little that comes close to seeing the detail and evolution of a dream than that of Malle’s Miles book. An eloquent dive into the Malle brands festival story, from idea inception to its creation, to present day rolling success.

The book ‘Miles - the Art of Losing a Motorcycle Race’ is a snapshot of culture over the last ten years in the British biking and festival scene. Throughout the book you can almost pinpoint the memories made behind the smiles of the festival goers' faces. The moment where the ride and the culture imprint, and they become hooked.

The story covers the festival and is narrated by its co-founders Jonny Cazzola and Robert Nightingale. It is a gentle read, perfect with a brew, allowing you to thumb through the many pictures of where chrome meets dirt. The Malle founders speak of the obstacles and triumphs of the festival over the last ten years.

Each written piece accompanied by beautiful shots of bikes, some vintage, some modern, and some downright inappropriate to be carving their way through the events. Mud and dust are flung high covering bike and rider, pictures of wind-swept hair and mustaches of dirt that frame huge grins, are worn with pride from a weekend well spent. Charlie Boorman says it best in his foreword “the Malle Mile is a place where riders of all stripes converge, where vintage classics mingle with modern marvels, and where the only currency that really matters is a shared love of two wheels”.

Miles is a decent memento for any festival goer who has attended, but also, it is a beautiful piece for your bookshelf or coffee table. There it sits, ready to prime you with enthusiasm for planning the following summer's activities.

Lois on the Loose by Lois Pryce

Expert rating:

5.0

Price: $13.82

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Read and recommended by Robin Kirkley

Plucky Miss Pryce. From deciding to leave the “Pigpen” at the BBC to making her way across 20,000 miles of the mud, motorways, mountains and deserts of North, Central and South America, Lois embarked on the adventure of a lifetime while she was still unattached and young enough to do it. Specifically, from the top of North America to the most southerly town in Argentina, riding through every country in between.

‘You’re fookin’ mad, lass. They’re all killin’ each other over there and they’ll have you for brekkie’, said the Scouser who was booking her one-way flight from London to Alaska. But once she’d made up her mind nothing could extinguish her thirst for the adventure ahead.

In travelling with her through the highs and very lows of this book, her positive outlook (some might call it naivety) and rock-solid determination to make progress toward her ultimate destination made a deep impression on me. And she is funny. I challenge anyone not to laugh out loud multiple times along the way.

Many times she felt crushed by the enormity of the task she had taken on as she reached a seemingly insurmountable obstacle with thousands and thousands of miles still to go. She had no choice but to deal with the situation, often with the help of good people she met in those supposedly 'bad' countries, and the special camaraderie and kindness shown by the motorcycling community in almost every land she passed through.

This is a book I have to read again as I plan my own adventures - maybe not as grand as hers, but just as thrilling and scary in equal measures.

Other books you might enjoy

Bikers Britain: 2nd edition by Simon Weir

Expert rating:

4.5

Price: $28.95

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This recently updated edition is the acclaimed definitive guide to the best biking roads in Britain with 82 routes, 36 of them are brand new for this edition. By former editor of RiDE and experienced motorcycling travel writer Simon Weir, it's packed with week-long, day long, half-day and shorter routes on the country's most exciting and picturesque roads.

Each route has been ridden and reviewed by expert bikers and includes an easy-read large-scale AA route map while it’s also in a durable and practical spiral-bound format.

Pros

Cons

The Official DVSA Theory Test for Motorcyclists

Price: $32.13

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OK, it's hardly a riveting read and theory-test guides are available also digitally online but motorcycle books don't get much more useful, especially when you're starting out on two wheels.

Packed full of practice questions, it’s a great way to prepare to pass the multiple-choice part of your motorcycle theory test first time and is the ONLY official expert revision guide. This new edition has been updated with the latest changes to the motorcycle theory test revision questions.

Pros

Cons

Barry Sheene: The Official Photographic Celebration of a Legendary Motorcycle Champion, by Rick Broadbent

Price: $40.49

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Glorious, officially sanctioned (by the Sheene family) photographic story of arguably the greatest British motorcycle racer and twice world 500cc champion who achieved iconic status but whose premature passing in 2003 robbed motorsport of one of its greatest characters.

Through more than 120 previously unpublished personal photographs from the Sheene family archive, Times journalist and award-winning author Rick Broadbent tells the story of a remarkable sports star.

Pros

Cons

Race Tech's Motorcycle Suspension Bible, by Paul Thede

Rrp: $38.99

Price: $22.49

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Target

$22.49

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Suspension is probably the most misunderstood aspect of motorcycle performance. This book, by America's premier suspension specialist, makes the art and science of suspension tuning accessible to professional and backyard motorcycle mechanics alike.

Based on Thede's popular Race Tech Suspension Seminars, this step-by-step guide shows anyone how to make their bike handle like a pro's.

Thede gives a clear account of the three forces of suspension that you must understand to make accurate assessments of your suspension's condition, outlines testing procedures that will help you gauge how well you're improving your suspension, and step-by-step photos of suspension disassembly and assembly help you rebuild your forks and shocks for optimum performance.

Pros

Cons

Michael Rutter: The Life of a Racer, Premium Edition

Price: 20.00

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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This premium edition of the autobiography (this time ghost written by motorcycle journalist John McAvoy) of long-time TT racer Michael Rutter is exclusive to Sportsbikeshop and includes five extra pages of colour photographs documenting his race bikes and crash helmets and comes with a protective dust cover. It's one of the best motorcycle books.

Pros

Cons

How we rate books

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience as motorcyclists gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. Between us we cover every aspect of motorcycling from track gurus to adventure riders, global tourers, off-road enthusiasts and enduro mud munchers. Because we love what we do, we each know a good book in our area of interest when we read it.

If you can’t see a review against some of the books on this page, it’s because we’re either reading them at the moment, or they’ve been recommended by others and we haven’t read them yet (except, of course, for the Theory book which we’ve all read). Rest assured that we’ll be bringing you a review of these books, and others we hear about, as soon as we’ve done the hours.

Our scores explained

When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given product, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

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By Robin Kirkley

Product Writer - I rode a Yamaha XT250 both on- and off-road for many years in Trinidad, where I was born and raised. Off-road there meant everything from cane fields to virgin tropical rain forests. I now enjoy adventure touring and filming throughout Europe and the UK on my 40th Anniversary BMW 850GS Adventure. A beautiful machine, on which I also test and review bike kit for MCN.

Motorcycle books_person reading a motorcycle book

Motorcycle book_Jupiters Travels by Ted Simon

Motorcycle book_Moment Collectors Asia by Sam Manicom and Friends