IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 21, 2005 — Motorcyclists looking to learn more about proper riding technique and work on improving their bike-handling skills can turn to the all-new, second edition of “The Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Guide to Motorcycling Excellence.” The book is a comprehensive, soft-cover how-to manual for new motorcyclists who want to increase their knowledge, and experienced riders who want to sharpen their existing skills.
Through descriptive photographs, captions, diagrams and 16 full chapters, the “Guide to Motorcycling Excellence” expands on the various training curricula utilized by the MSF since 1973. Thousands of MSF RiderCoaches have provided instruction to more than 3.2 million students and, over the decades, the MSF has continually updated its methods for motorcycle schooling.
“This guidebook is an engaging collection of all that the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has learned about teaching people to ride,” said Tim Buche, MSF President. “We’ve found that many motorcycle riders are explorers, adventurous and just naturally curious. They want to learn and do things well. At the MSF, we say ‘the more you know, the better it gets,’ and this book is for riders who want to enjoy their riding even more by learning as much as they can. It’s the perfect companion piece to hands-on MSF training.”
The book describes the different styles of motorcycles and how to choose the right bike. It stresses the importance of rider attitude, protective riding gear, and pre-ride inspections. It explains basic and advanced street skills. It covers strategies for creating a “space cushion” to avoid traffic hazards, as well as advanced counter-steering, counter-weighting, and traction-management techniques. It details the search/evaluate/execute (“SEE”) process, dealing with unexpected situations, group riding procedures, cornering and proper “lines.” There’s also a chapter featuring off-highway riding basics.
The new edition features truly expert advice from world road racing champions Kevin Schwantz and Freddie Spencer, and from national title-holders Rich Oliver and Reg Pridmore. It also contains special contributions, about motorcycle geometry from Erik Buell, engineer and founder of Buell Motorcycles; about counter-steering, from Keith Code, former racer and founder of the California Superbike School; about proper riding gear and fit, by Paul Golde of Fairchild Sports and Bruce Porter of Arai Helmets; about suspension adjustment, by Paul Thede, engineer and owner of Race Tech; about health and conditioning, by Dr. Paul Bodnar, medical director of the AMA (that’s American Motorcyclist Association) Pro Racing Medical Advisory Board.
The 192-page, full-color book has a list price of $24.95, and is available from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s online store (www.msf-usa.org) and at selected bookstores nationwide.
About the Motorcycle Safety Foundation
Since 1973, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation® has set internationally recognized standards that promote the safety of motorcyclists with rider education courses, operator licensing tests, and public information programs. The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military, and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling. The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio/Vespa, Suzuki, Victory and Yamaha. For RiderCourseSM locations, call 800-446-9227 or visit www.msf-usa.org.
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