The Complete Motorcycle Nomad: A guide to Machines, Equipment, People, and Places

This was written long before motorcycling became trendy. Today there is gas, food and lodging in every town, and cellphones to call for someone if we break down. Lovin accumulated his nomad's wisdom when riding cross country was a potentially dangerous undertaking, when many people disliked motorcyclists, services were not as plentiful,and the machines were much more primitive. Lovin goes over all the essentials, from camping, to eating, to basic maintenance, to survival skills in the wild as well as in populated areas. His advice comes from hundreds of thousands of miles' worth of experience riding through the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Central America, from a rider who has roughed it on a bike more than most of us will. It is great reading before a big ride, or as a refresher now and then. This book is difficult to find, so nab one up; because of its rarity, it is one of the few books in my library I do not loan out to others.

There has never been a book that has changed my out look on riding as this one. There have been no other since this has been written with such and impact on me personally. Ever since my first cross country, till now, 20 years later, Roger has always been with me. I just reread his book a few months ago before starting out on my longest trip, just to get reaquainted. I have made it a quest to find and meet Roger in my travels to bike ralleys. We will see.

I have read this book many, many times and even though I have never met Roger I feel that I know him. My dream is to someday find him and ask him his permission to write an updated version - 25 years later. This book was probably the first book on this subject that was so complete, well organized and thorough enough to bring the novice tourer from just watching "Then Came Bronson" on the tv to becoming "Bronson" and travelling the nation's highways. I have referred back to this book many times over the years and after nearly a half million miles on several different bikes it seems to teach me something new each time. This is one guy who lived a special lifestyle and was conscious enough to write it down for the rest of us to use as a reference. This is a classic read and one that I highly recommend - even if you never travel by motorcycle, there are a lot of practical "living skills" embodied in this book which everyone who travels should come to know, understand and live by. Roger helped me to develop my own style complete with my own quirks, ideas and innovations. I highly recommend this book and I am sure you will not regret taking the time to enjoy a trip down the highway and road of life with Roger Lovin. Ride On!Will Rogers & NVR2FAR.