VFR Discussion Group -> Excellent book

I found a must read book by Nick Ienatsch called Sport Riding Techniques. �Very informative for us street riders. �I bought it for 24.95 from Barnes & Noble. �If you have read it please let me know what you think. :wheel:

I read it and found the last few chapters helpful, but the first few chapters were very elementary. Maybe good for a first timer. I like TOTW2 better for my style of riding.  :D

Nick's book is great, definitely one of the best comprehensive books on motorcycling. Nick's book and David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling should be required reading for all motorcyclists.

What is TOTW2?

~ David

Quote (Drizzt @ Fri, 24 Dec. 2004 13:27:00)

What is TOTW2? ~ David

Twist of the wrist II. A better book for fast street/track riding IMO. This should not take away from Nicks book, I am just adding another must read.  :O

I'll have to check that one out too.  Thanks ULEWZ... :rocks:

I have read all three, (Sport Riding Techniques, Proficient Motorcycling and Twist Of The Wrist II).  Each book offers something the others do not.  For instance in Proficient Motorcycling, there are some bits about edge traps, and how to read a blind curve to predict if it is positive or negative camber, that are not fully covered in the other two. Overall I like Sport Riding Techniques the best.  However, Twist Of The Wrist II is the best handbook for learning how to take on the twisties, and understanding how the motorcycle is designed to work.

Hey Johnmark, I was born in Pacucah..

I own both books myself and have reviewed them here on the forum long ago - gotta be purged by now.  In any case Nick is an instructor at the Freddy Spensor Riding School and has raced domestically for years, comming in 3rd nationally for some race class I cant remember at the moment.  Good rider indeed and former editor of Sport Rider Magazine.  He knows how to write.  The book is beautiful full of great color photos of bikes and demonstrations/diagrams of the concepts he is trying to bring across in his book.  I found it to be very good.

Twist of the Wrist II - not to be confused with Twist Of The Wrist is a bit less beutifull and not so well written.  In fact its almost patronizing in its language the way he puts astrix's after commonly known words to define them later in the chapter.  However he takes the concept of throttle control to a level of understanding I did not get in any other book, and how typical riders react to situations on the bike that make the situation worse - the so called survival reactions.  Keith Code explains throttle control in such a way as to understand how it relates to traction AND WHY.  Notice the Caps - the other book touches on it but does not go to the natural conclusion of explaining exactly why you want to get on the gas as soon as possible while turning a bike.  He also chronicals the most typical rider mistakes *survival reaction* and what happens while you make these mistakes.  For that I have to say it was a more helpful book in my rider development - stupid graphics, childish writing, insulting definitions, but fine instruction where it counts.

Of the two books I learned more from TOTWII

Quote (Richie @ Fri, 24 Dec. 2004 21:49:00)

Hey Johnmark, I was born in Pacucah..

I have family there in Reidland.  Pretty area around the lakes.  I was born in Owensboro, but moved to the Bluegrass reigon 14 years ago.  

:beer:

Oops, I mean Paducah... :doh:

I have all the books listed above, and they are all useful. Another one to add might be Total Control by Lee Parks.
I would say for myself that Nick's book(best)and Lee's book were probably my two favs. TOTW2 I have on CD set and it too has lots of useful info, but Keith does have a very different philosophy than say Nick/Freddie Spencer does. I think it really depends on which style/philosophy one would ascribe to.

As Miguel mentioned, Nick is the "lead" instructor at Freddie Spencer's school and much in his book is from that riding style and thought process. Having gone to FS twice now...I'm sold on what they teach and their techniques and theories. Nick also penned the "PACE" which many feel is the gospel for smart street sport riding.

Code's basic cornering philosophy is a bit different as he primarily preaches countersteering only......i.e. it's the only way to turn a bike.
It's not.

One of my sons got this book for me today for Christmas, my other son got me "Leanings" by Peter Egan. I haven't had a chance to look at them yet, but plan on reading them both soon.

I'd add the Reg Pridmore book :cool:

:twist:  I have both books and really think "Sprot Riding tech." is a great book and a must for beginner's and intermediate riders. As mentioned the last two chapters have the advanceded info.  I highly recommend it !
I love using the PACE !
I haven't read Twist II yet !
 :beer:

Richie, Dec 24 2004, 01:09 PMI found a must read book by Nick Ienatsch called Sport Riding Techniques.  Very informative for us street riders.  I bought it for 24.95 from Barnes & Noble.  If you have read it please let me know what you think. :wheel:

That was the first book I bought when I got my VFR. Great stuff in there for those of us who have never owned a sport bike.

I just ordered TOTW2 and High Perf. from Amazon for $30 total free shipping!

Richie, Dec 25 2004, 09:12 AMOops, I mean Paducah... :doh:

Hey Richie, I grew up in Marshall Co. on KY Lake. How long did you live in the area? :huh:

I purchased and read Sport Riding Techniques and really gained from it. I thought the braking techniques were the most fun. Got the back wheel on my 02 VFR up about 6" when I wanted as I grew more confident with the brakes. Okay, it's not even close to a full-on stoppie but it's a start :squid: !!

Just having fun,

VFRMike.

I was born in Paducah, but moved up the Michigan when I was 2 or 3...So not very long. :goofy: