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Biker's Handbook: Becoming Part of the Motorcycle Culture | 
 enlarge | Author: Jay Barbieri
Creator: Michele Smith
Publisher: Motorbooks
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $10.37
You Save: $9.58 (48%)
New (22) from $10.37
Avg. Customer Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 51447
Media: Paperback
Edition: First
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 192
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9 x 7.9 x 0.6
ISBN: 076033210X
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.7
EAN: 9780760332108
ASIN: 076033210X
Publication Date: November 15, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Absolutely Brand New & In Stock. 100% 30-Day Money Back. Direct from our warehouse. Ships by USPS. 1+ million customers served-In business since 1986. Happy Customers is Our #1 Goal. Toll Free Support
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
There are millions of new motorcyclists hitting the blacktop every year. But being part of the American motorcycle culture takes more than just wanting to be cool. It takes a passion for the open road, freedom, and a lifestyle that even the best financing cant buy. This book, by someone who knows motorcycles as few do, provides a road map to biker culture for anyone new to the experience. Jay Barbieri explains everything a new rider needs to know to become a real biker. He begins with a brief history of motorcycles, and draws on his twenty-five years of riding experience for examples of what works and doesn't in this heady world. Most of all, he aims to spare new bikers the bad decisions neophytes typically make. With hundreds of motorcycle trips under his belt, there is not a mistake Barbieri hasn't made or a situation he hasn't encountered. By sharing the sometimes comical outcomes, he gives the new biker a head start to become more comfortable, credible, and knowledgeable about joining a community that is as much a part of American culture as baseball, hotdogs and apple pie.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 idiocy and the technique of motorcycle fools April 26, 2008
in the interest of full disclosure, i did not buy this book. however, i read it in the course of about an hour while sitting at the bookstore. you too should read it for free, if at all.
first off, the author has no real love motorcycles, but the neo-harley dentist/accountant scene that the "american" pig iron scene has become. the photos of him and his friends are enough to make me want to avoid any of the rides, bars, rallies, and scenes that the book describes. frankly, dear author, with your stringy long hair, gauntlets, black leather, and overweight motorcycle, you all look a bit light on your toes. and don't bother with the sportsters, they aren't heavy enough, expensive enough, and can actually be ridden.
second, the cavalier attitude about drinking and riding is disgusting. the main point given to not do so is financial. never mind that riding a bike so large that one can barely control it under the best of circumstances is dangerous, add some alcohol to the mix and create a dangerous situation for everyone. please, dear author, maintain also your cavalier attitude about wearing your helmet and do us all a favor.
third, to state that harleys now have a modern engine is wishful thinking, at best. it is still the same 45 degree pig that it always was, prone to shaking itself apart and mismatched power stroke that makes one grind their teeth. even buell, dear author, has gone to a modern rotax engine that puts the harley engine to shame.
fourth, liberal use of the 'F' word does not a biker make. nor does a liberal sprinkling of 'custom' off the shelf, bolt on, chrome trinkets make a custom bike. i've been riding a long time, have completely disassembled my own bike and rebuilt it how i wanted it (and no, it isn't american and its not japanese), and nothing makes me more amused than to see a bunch of middle aged nobodies riding a bunch of off-the-showroom-floor pigs, all dressed in black and looking for all the world just what they are: overgrown boys that finally have the $30K to buy into a scene and maybe missed their exit for masquerade ball. oh, and trucking your bikes to the rallies and/or flying is about your speed. you earned those scratches on your bikes, buddy. gotta love it.
fifth, if motorcycle gangs don't like to be called gangs and/or gang members, they shouldn't behave as such. sorry, but any 'club' that sells drugs, prostitution, guns, and resolves disputes with violence as their main source of income is a gang. it is what it is, get over it.
lastly, the bullet lists were somewhat helpful. lists of things that one needs on the road, things to watch out for, etc., are about the only thing worthwhile in this waste of paper. but you have to look at skull and crossbones instead of proper bullets, oh brother.
do yourself a favor and read zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance. the reading is better, the author actually cares, and the lists are much more useful.
and the 'F' word simply isn't necessary to get your point across.
 Bikers handbook April 1, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Great book for beginners but very enjoyable to veteran riders. I've been riding since 1965. I found much of the info to be very good. I wish this book had been available 40 years ago, I may not have made many of the mistakes that I did. A must read for new riders!!
 A few good stories but not much substance. March 27, 2008
This book contains a few amusing stories but if you're thinking about buying this book to become a "real " biker, save your money and get a life. Although the author makes a pretty clear case for riding a particular brand of motorcycle, his point of view completely lacks the soul of a true biker. No doubt the author has seen his share of people and places while on two wheels but you'll wonder if this book is meant to educate or simply to validate the fact that the author is a real biker. Riding a bike has more to do with the name that's on the tank and I don't feel that the author has gotten past that yet.
Great fun March 26, 2008
This book is great fun. Solid advise and some great stories that are too close to home at times. If you ride, you'll get it, if you don't but want to, then definately put it on your list of things to do first.
 A fun read....but flawed March 20, 2008
This book was very entertaining and informative. I would have given it five stars, but for one significant piece of misinformation regarding motorcycle fashion. Contrary to Mr. Barbieri's gross mistatement, leather vests are both practical and fashionable, and chain wallets are stupid.
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