How to Ride a Motorcycle: A Rider's Guide to Strategy, Safety, and Skill Development

After reading the book Proficient Motorcycling which is considered the bible of all motorcycling self help books I decided to buy this one because it was half price at a nearby store. I am so glad I did! I appreciate the way Mr. Hahn describes the dangers involved into riding for the first time and how he guides you through the various steps into learning how to ride safe and smart. It isn't as technical as Proficient Motorcycling, but I found it more interesting and enjoyable to read. Being a newbie and about to take my MSF course, I know that I will be ready for whatever happens in the course. I'm not sure why some readers bash this book so much, It is my favorite!

When my son asked if I wanted to take a cross country motorcycling trip with him in 12 months, I jumped at the chance. Nevermind that I'd never driven a motorcycle before and I was 48 years old. I found this book as my first read. It's a complete tutor to help you develop the attitude of being a motorcycle enthusiast. I followed the advice and learned all I could, got the best gear I could, learned to ride at the MSF basic rider course and used my common sense and good advice in the book to buy the bike that fit my needs and ability level. I followed up with Pat's "Ride Hard Ride Smart" book and had a great ride across country and back with no major problems along the way. This book made me look like a safe smart proactive rider. I'm much more confident because I respect the riks and do my best to not put myself into situations I can't get out of. Only problem is--now I ride all of the time and can't get enough! If your new to motorcycles or just want to learn to be a safer rider so you can ride till your 100- this is the place to start.

I bought this book for a friend. It reinforces the basic skills needed to become a safe motorcycle rider.

I almost didn't buy this book based on that "joke" review below, but boy am I glad I did! There is a ton of information here and it's just what I needed as a beginner!!! I can't wait to take the MSF course this spring and then start using the techniques in this book. I highly recommend it if you are thinking about getting into riding or if you're going to take the MSF course. Woohoo!

Holy cow, I never would have guessed how good this book was by just the title. I read every book that comes out and this one is going to make a big difference in new riders lives. This book has everything a rider needs to know to get started: preparation, picking out a bike and riding gear, how to work the controls, how to practice, when to take a rider training course, what to do after you get your license, how to get better and get familiar with different types of roads and traffic, safe riding procedures, and more. What's really cool is the way Mr Hahn reveals some of the mysteries of riding (countersteering, mental overload, what other books to read along the way) and also attacks some myths that go along with riding, like "If I had to explain, you wouldn't understand" and "laying it down" and "there are two kinds of riders" etc. Rider attitudes one through four will keep me alive for a long long time, even for an experienced rider I was surprised how much I learned about attitude and evaluating my ability. There's also a section with drills and stuff to practice on your own after you take the MSF course but before you really head out into traffic. You could probably do these drills whether or not you took the course. It's easy to read, too, and humorous at times, not as funny as his other book, but this one has way cooler photos and diagrams and important advice for hungry new riders. Anybody who's thinking about getting into riding, or anybody who has been been riding for less than two years should get this book. I'll be loaning my copy to my nephew when he turns 16. Ride safe everybody.