How to Ride a Motorcycle: A Rider's Guide to Strategy, Safety and Skill Development Paperback – October 29, 2005

This book helped me pass in getting my Motorcycle permit.

Books by Pat Hahn don't disappoint -- obviously I don't agree w/ some of the negative reviews. And this one is very good. I'd rank it as a "must have" along with several others I've reviewed. Not only is the narrative informative and easy to read, but the book has many pictures and graphs. Many of the pictures show how a MC rider appears to a driver in different settings -- a valuable feature -- it covers all the basics as well as some safety aspects about being "seen" by "cage" drivers that he drives home better than some other books. It's certainly among the best books for a beginner, by putting everything together for one new to riding. His discussion on buying gear before buying a MC was very good, showing that spending money of gear must be considered up front rather than just using what's left in the budget after getting the bike. And he emphisizes comfort, visibility and protection in that order, showing the importance of avoiding crashes (which he discusses throughout) by being comfortable and able to mentally free to focus on the ride. But it's a good review for all riders. As for the complaint that he emphasizes the inevitibility of crashing, I totally disagree. In fact on page 120 he attacts that old airplane pilot's saying, "two kinds ... those who have and those who will", by saying it's not inevitable, but, we must think that way to help avoid it happening. That's the point stressed throughout, and if not examined, can give the wrong impression. I feel that this book is full of practical, ready to apply advice, and recommend it to be read along with the MSF and Hough's, and other books, and re-read annually.

"A Rider's Guide to Strategy, Safety, and Skill Development" is an apt subtitle for How To Ride a Motorcycle. LIke the MSF course Mr. Hahn recommends, this guide does not include everything the developing motorcyclist needs to know to become a safe proficent rider. It is however, the best introduction to riding safely I have read. I just wish he went into a bit more depth but that is what the resources mentioned in the book are for. The guide provides a great framework that the beginning rider needs to begin riding relatively safely. It is especially useful if read before purchasing a bike and/or beginning to ride on the street. He lays bare many motorcycling myths that can get one hurt while helping the beginner steer clear of the more dangerous behaviors. Finally Mr. Hahn points the reader to other more in depth resources so they can continue building their riding strategy and skills. If you are brand new to street riding than this guide is a valuable introduction to riding. I came to this book after years of dirt riding and it helped me to develop a street riding strategy that I continue to hone today along with more in depth books like Proficient Motorcycling by Hough and Ride Hard Ride Smart by Hahn. Every beginner should read this guide, take the MSF course, start riding, and then continue on with reading the other riding strategy books mentioned above.

Helpful for beginners, lets you know what to expect and what to avoid--excellent reference source for repeated readings over time, for as one continues to ride, the ability to better focus into the material increases.

I am a experienced rider that is studying for, maybe, write a book about ridding, but adapted to my country habits and peculiarities. I general is a very good book for beginners, especially if you do not has a bike already... it goes from the very beginning.

when i bought this book i thought mistake! i was wrong the more i paged through it the more i got interested and found it tells the it like it is. good reading i recommend it.

This book goes into more detail as to what is required to ride a motorcycle. It more specific on everything from motorcycle controls to motorcycle gear. A great book for a beginner.

He definitely doesn't like Harleys or their riders, which I am one of them. Not very informative. You can get the same or better info on You Tube.

Good book. Some good information.But in Canada we have to take a motorcycle class. So some info is redundant.

I bought this for my nephew who is inspired to buy a motorbike because my son is now riding one. However he is a year younger than my son, and still at the "yeah, yeah, I know" stage of teenagerdom. So this book is ideal, as it passes on info in a very accessible way, and makes a lot of sense to young men. I feel relieved knowing that he has this to back up his riding lessons.