Maximum Control: Mastering Your Heavyweight Bike

I'm disappointed with this book although beginning riders will find some useful information. But Hough's "Proficient Motorcycling" is far better, in my opinion.The problems I see with this book are as follows:1) There's too much "filler". By that I mean, there are too many instances where the authors ramble on and on before actually getting to the point. For example, in one case, a couple hundred words are used to say that what follows has never been written or even discussed before. That perks the reader's interest and he is promised that information that has only been whispered amont experts in secret is about to be revealed to them but when they finally get to the point, there is no point. And there is so much unnecessary repetition in the book that, if they eliminated that type of filler throughout the book, it could have been printed in pamphlet form but then it couldn't be sold as a book of course. Repetition is good up to a point but when something is repeated five or six times on a single page, it gets to be too much. There are also some errors in "Maxium Control". There are a few of the usual typos and that's no problem. But there are also errors and contradictions that may cause confusion for new riders.2) The book recommends some very unrealistic practice schedules. In fact, the book lists a practice schedule that includes practice of various techniques every single day. At a minimum, if you follow that schedule, you would have to find a large parking lot where you are allowed to practice and then go there and practice at least 20 minutes every day and on some days for an hour or so. I can't speak for anyone else, but I'd have to ride 20 or 30 miles just to find a place where I could set up cones, etc., assuming that the owner of the property allowed me to do that, which is doubtful due to liability issues. Realistically, I doubt if anyone can or will follow their very unrealistic practice schedule. Here's just one example of what I think is a silly and unrealistic recommendation the author's make: They say that every time you leave or enter your driveway, you should do a figure eight in the street to practice U-turns. If I did that where I live, not only would I get a ticket for breaking the law but I would almost certainly get killed sooner or later. I am NOT going to do a figure eight every time I leave or return to my driveway and I doubt anyone else will either. However, I'll practice figure eights in empty parking lots when the opportunity arises but certainly not every day. And, realistically, who would? On the other hand, their exercises are good but most riders are not going to set up a practice schedule for every day of the year. Most will probably practice the various techniques while actually riding or on a less rigorous schedule, if at all.3) I'd say that 70 to 80% of every picture in the book is of a motorcycle leaned to it's maxium with the foot pegs or foot boards dragging on the ground. OK! I get the idea. One or two pictures would have sufficed. Of course, this book is mainly about slow-speed maneuvers on a heavy motorcycle so that involves a lot of leaning but we don't need to see an almost identical picture on every page of the book.4) The book strongly suggests that everyone, even experienced riders, take a motorcycle safety course like those put out by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. That's fine and it's good advice but they tell you that you are almost certainly going to drop your bike repeatedly in those classes and that's just, in their words, "tough." They suggest that if you don't want to have to replace expensive parts on your bike in those classes or while practicing maneuvers on your own that you remove any expensive accessories that you don't want to ruin. That would include turn signals, saddle bags, mirrors, etc. Come on! Who's going to strip down their bike every time they practice and, remember, they want you to practice every day. And also remember that you have to remove those things AFTER you get to the practice area and reinstall them before you head home. But, realistically, suggesting that you just have to get used to dropping your bike while practicing is not something most riders will accept. Motorcycle parts are expensive as anyone knows who owns a bike and bike owners, in general, take great pride in their motorcycles. These days, some motorcycles cost as much as cars, especially the big, heavy cruisers that this book is aimed at. Could you imagine someone telling you that you just have to get used to crashing your car when you practice driving? In my opinion, it's much better to avoid dropping the bike by gradually practicing your skills and backing off a bit when you realize that you are about to tip. Tipping while standing still usually isn't a problem but tipping while moving can cause literally thousands of dollars in damage but the authors seem to suggest that you'll just have to learn to live with that. How will you practice when your bike is in the shop being repaired or while waiting for parts to fix it yourself? That works with motorcycle cops because they don't have to pay for all the damage and some police training schools probably use retired bikes for training. BTW, MSF classes are expensive. I was surprised to learn that my state (Illinois) offers similar courses for free and, unlike the MSF courses (in my state), completing them waives the necessity of taking a motorcycle test when applying for a motorcycle license. So, if you're thinking of taking classes, check with your state DOT to see if they offer classes for free. Or, if possible, check out Ride Like a Cop. You can use their bikes and they tell you that you are going to crash repeatedly with them and that's O.K. Also, the course is identical to the first week of motorcycle cop school in Oregon. In fact, I was going to sign up for their 40 hour course this year but the coronovirus put an end to that plan. Maybe next year. Check them out on YouTube and at their website if you are interested. I can't comment on the excellence of the course because I haven't taken it (yet) but the reviews are very positive. The things they teach are pretty incredible.Bottom line: This book is OK but there's nothing really new about it and it has some serious flaws. It is OK for someone who is just starting to ride but, honestly, I didn't learn a single thing from it and their recommendations for practice are very unrealistic. Instead of this book, I suggest you get David Hough's "Proficient Motorcycling." Its far better, in my opinion, and perhaps the best book on the subject ever written. In fact, I've been riding since the late 60s and I learned a lot from that book when reading it last winter. Hough has a follow-up book to that book called "More Proficient Motorcycling: Mastering the Ride," that I just received yesterday. Some reviewers say it has a lot of redunancy with the first book. I haven't read it yet but I've scanned over it. It's a huge book. (UPDATE: I've finished reading More Proficient Motorcycling" and I found it to be a waste of time and money. There's nothing new of practical value in it. It appears the author just wanted to capitalize on the success of the excellent first book but that book. That book is so complete that there wasn't anything else to cover of importance. So I can't recommend the second book.Bottom line: I cannot recommend this book.

I have not had the chance to practice all of the techniques described, as they require dedicating serious time to parking lot practice. I have, however, put into practice some of them, without the parking lot drills, on the road, riding two-up, and they have worked superbly! The single technique that I have found absolutely invaluable, is to make judicious use of the back brake. I have started leading with the rear brake, in all braking situations, and it has made my bike remarkably more stable in all braking situations. I have even used the clutch-slipping, while riding the rear brake, techniques, to make tighter-than-usual U-turns -- turns that before I would have my wife dismount, while I jockeyed the bike back and forth, over a period of 5-10 minutes. Now I turn the bike in a U-turn, with the wife on board, in a matter of 5-10 seconds! If I would invest the practice time in the parking lot, I would be able to handle the bike in absolutely amazing ways, but I am too lazy to do that.The book discusses how to slip a wet clutch, while riding the rear brake, executing U-turns in a frighteningly small area -- you can even progress to doing full-steering-lock turns... This is what the police learn, and how they can handle their bikes in such amazing ways. That level of handling skill REQUIRES 100+hours of parking lot practice. I just applied some of the techniques, rather poorly, and I was able to make U-turns at really slow speeds, two-up. Even I was amazed at how well I did. I don't ride a heavy-weight bike, but it is 31-years old, and its handling is not that great, but with the techniques I have learned reading this book, I can handle my bike much better than I have ever done before. It has built up my confidence tremendously. Now if I could convince myself to go to the parking lot and practice...To give you some insight, the authors advocate riding the rear brake, while slipping the wet clutch on your bike (will NOT work with dry clutches -- they will burn out in a short time!), will allow you to stabilize your bike's handling so much, with practice, that you will be able to pull off amazing handling feats, beyond what you thought possible. Just by leading with the rear brake in any braking situation, you will stabilize your bike, avoiding the nose dive you get when you grab a handful of front brake! That alone is worth the price of admission. Everything beyond that, is so much sweet frosting! This book is probably one of the best you could have in your collection. Buy it! You won't regret it. Cheers!

This book is written in the USA and is aimed at Americans. So the language is pure American. The style is informal and chatty. And we brits have to be careful when this book refers to left-turns or right hand bends. Apart from that, we have to accept that over time, full sized motorcycles have become heavier, and that probably our legs have not become longer or stronger. So, amongst the people who ride full sized motorcycles, the need for this book has increased. The authors are experts, the photos and diagrams are good. The content is well thought out. I recommend this book.

It took its time to get here but it was worth the wait , if you have a large crusier this is a must read.Really good information on how to handle a big bike in all situations , even my husband who has been riding Harleys for many years had to read it .Worth evey penny .

This book is an absolute must have for anyone with a big bike. I've tried out a bunch of the drills that are outlined in it and they have really brought my riding along.

Item as described - A1

I have been riding a bike for a number of years and still realized I had things to learn. Maximum control had many useful tips to bring my bike riding to the next level. Thanks