With the holidays right around the corner, we all have excuses to buy more moto things, and as we wind down 2022, what better thing to do than read a book about your favorite activity? Whether you’re looking to become a better rider, to learn how to maintain your bike, or are thinking of taking an adventure on two wheels–we’ve got the perfect book to guide and inspire you. Check out our list of the 21 must-read motorcycle books for riders.
For Motorcycle Adventurers
1. Two Wheels South: A Motorcycle Adventure from Brooklyn to Ushuaia
By Matias Corea
Follow two friends along on an epic photo-rich journey on two wheels from New York to Patagonia. You’ll want to read all of the pair’s helpful moto-travel preparation tips.
2. Ride Out! Motorcycle Trips and Adventures
Gorgeous photos of gorgeous rides fill the pages of this book, along with maps and times for different rides. It will inspire you to start planning your next adventure.
3. Motorcycle Journeys Through North America: A Guide for Choosing and Planning Unforgettable Motorcycle Journeys
By Dale Coyner
Suggested rides and route details accompany details about the history of places along the way—all in all, this book is a perfect trip primer/planner. Don’t miss the ride prep tips at the back of the book.
4. Long Way Round: Chasing Shadows Across the World
By Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman
This British TV series and book feature the star duo of McGregor and Boorman on a four-month, 20,000 mile journey from London to New York (by way of the Ukraine, Mongolia, Russia, and so on). It’s worth a read (and watch)—as are the two follow-ups: Long Way Down and Long Way Up.
Twisted Road Tip: Check out our recent motorcycle travel features, Hard or Soft Motorcycle Luggage: Which is Best For You? and RV Motorcycle Carriers: How to Haul Your Bike.
For Riders Looking to Improve
5. Total Control: High Performance Street Riding Techniques
By Lee Parks
Though it has an emphasis on high performance sports riding, this instructional guide is a must-have for street riders too. It delves into the physics and psychology of riding and will level up your proficiency with the best techniques so you’ll be safer and more in-control.
6. A Twist of the Wrist: The Motorcycle Road Racers Handbook
By Keith Code
The knowledge presented in this book will help any rider gain confidence (no need to be a racer). In fact, many reviewers describe this motorcycle book’s advice as “life-saving,” as the detail and graphics will make you a better, safer rider.
7. Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well
By David L. Hough
Often described as “essential reading for motorcycle riders,” this book delves into selecting a bike, city and country riding, avoiding hazards, dealing with weather, group riding and solo riding, and—well everything else you need to know to ride well.
Twisted Road Tip: Check out our post, Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering: Where is it Legal?
For Two-Wheeled Philosophers
8. Why We Ride: A Psychologist Explains the Motorcyclist's Mind and the Love Affair Between Rider, Bike, and Road
By Mark Barnes PhD.
With a subtitle like that, our job is done. Trust us, you’ll like it.
9. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values
By Robert M Pirsig
Told through the perspective of a father-son road trip, this book delves into Eastern philosophy from a Western perspective.
For Moto-History Buffs
10. Hell’s Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga
By Hunter S. Thompson
The Gonzo journalist goes undercover for two year as a member of California’s notorious motorcycle gang—and lives to tell the tale in this book. It portrays the motorcycle counterculture of these riders in the mid-60s and is fascinating.
11. Classic Motorcycles: The Art of Speed
By Pat Hahn
Make no mistake, this is an art book. It is filled with gorgeous period and portrait images of the most striking motorcycles as it presents the history of riding through iconic, classic motorcycles.
12. McQueen’s Motorcycles: Racing and Riding with the King of Cool
By Matt Stone
A book that focuses on the bikes that McQueen raced and collected. Detailing the bikes’ histories alongside that of the man himself, as well as his races and achievements.
13. Discovering the Motorcycle: The History. The Culture. The Machines.
By Armand Ensanian
This motorcycle book takes you from riding’s earliest days to the cutting-edge design and sport of today. It is a motorcycle bible, covering everything from culture to mechanics.
Twisted Road Tip: Check out our comprehensive feature, Flying on the Road: The Fascinating History of Motorcycle Riders in America.
For Riders…Who are also Romantic
14. Reaper’s Property
By Joanna Wylde
First published in 2013, this runaway hit now boasts 21 editions. The book details the sexual chemistry and possible romance between Maria…and a badass rider named Horse.
For Riders Who Want to Get Theirs Hands Dirty
15. The Total Motorcycling Manual: 291 Essential Skills
By Mark Lindemann
Motorcycle journalist Lindemann has ridden more than 750 different motorcycles and shares his insight here. From bike types and moto anatomy to maintaining your ride, this motorcycle book is super-readable with fun sections and fascinating diagrams.
16. The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Maintenance
By Mark Zimmerman
Learn exactly how motorcycles work and how to maintain them through clear descriptions and helpful step-by-step images. It’s the perfect companion to your motorcycle manual.
Twisted Road Tip: Check out our post on The Perfect Motorcycle Tire Pressure & 5 More Tire Maintenance Tips.
For Brand Die-Hards
17. Ride Free Forever: The Legend of Harley Davidson
By Oluf F. Zierl
Part encyclopedia (see every single motorcycle that has ever left the Harley Davidson Milwaukee factory) and part Harley fandom primer, this duo of books looks at the brand from all angles.
Twisted Road Tip: Check out our brand-new, motorcycle brand-dedicated landing pages to learn more about the brand you love (and to rent one!): Harley-Davidson, Triumph, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Indian.
For Moto Memoir Fans (True Stories, Told Well)
18. Rebuilding the Indian: A Memoir
By Fred Haefele
On the face of it, this is a story of a rider reconstructing a classic motorcycle, but it’s also about the midlife changes of the modern man. He’s finally growing up—while living out his boyhood dream.
19. Jupiter’s Travels: Four Years Around the World on a Triumph
By Ted Simon
This un-categorizable book belongs under adventure, memoir, and history. It details Simon’s around-the-world motorcycle travels in the 1970’s as he covered 78,000 miles through 45 countries and details the people and places along the way.
20. One Man Caravan
By Robert Edison Fulton Jr.
Another category-bending book, this one is part-memoir, part-history as the writer details his solo 18-month world tour in 1932 and 1933. This pioneer’s travelogue details the post World War I era in fascinating detail.
21. The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey
By Ernesto Che Guevara
This book details a journey that altered the course of one man’s life. It’s hard to do better than this part of the book’s own description: “the exuberance and joy of one person's youthful belief in the possibilities of humankind tending towards justice, peace and happiness.” It captures a moment in time.
Twisted Road Tip: Read a memoir excerpt from one Twisted Road rider with our recent feature, One Rider's "Driftless" Motorcycle Journey Through Wisconsin.
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