The most INFLUENTIAL motorcycle books

Kevin Cameron and Mark Hoyer pick a few of their favorite motorcycle books and talk about what makes these titles so great. Are these books part of how Kevin Cameron knows so much? Engines, riding technique, high performance mods…check out the show to hear the list.

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[justdad]

Thanks for getting Kevin on camera, I started reading his articles going back to 1969. I do miss the motorcycle magazine days even though YouTube it great too.

[pbofan]

They’re not mechanically focused like your choices, but Peter Eagan’s three LEANINGS books are my favorites in my large collection of motorcycle books. No one describes and muses over the love of riding better.

[jem-lc]

There's another book to add to your list: J B Nicholson's Modern Motorcycle Mechanics. Printed in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The Nicholson's were inducted into the Canadian Army to teach motorcycling maintenance as they'd been doing it since the early 30's. The first edition was 1942. I have the 5th and 7th editions. Excellent fine line illustrations throughout the book. Maintenance specs, tech tips, suspension repair - if you have a garage full of older bikes this is something you'll use. The only Velocette they cover is the LE, though. No KSS's in the Army, I guess.

[michaelrubbo]

I am an electrical engineer who designs electric motors, and designed an early alternative to the liquid cooled Mission Motors electric motor for an urban powertrain for an EV motorcycle from an American OEM. We too (electrical engineers) have the same challenge with achieving the intuitive understanding for how electromagnetic torque is developed in an electric machine (motor or generator) and how the torque and its control can be varied for different applications. As you both pointed out, technical papers published in the professional societies in my field (in my case, the IEEE or IEE) since 1980 have become places for academic oriented professionals to show how smart they are to other academically oriented professionals, and less about showing how their research (some of which is highly compelling) can be accessed, undertstood, and applied by the "everday" practicing engineer. This has occurred to a point where many in my field believe that true NPD can only occur in an academic environment (rather than in an industrial applied research lab which was more common when I was a lad), which drastically reduces the overall competitiveness of our internal industrial firms. Rant done.

[KurtCira]

I have followed Kevin since the 1970’s and think he is the most articulate and clear writer on the technical aspects of motorcycling that I have read. Kudos for TDC and these wonderful podcast videos.

[magellanicspaceclouds]

Wow, this is a podcast I didn't even know I needed in my life. Kevin Cameron is the man!

[scottnelson]

I enjoyed this discussion. I have the three technical books that Kevin has written and value all three of them. Sportbike Performance Handbook might be misnamed, since it seems to really just explain how motorcycles work more than how to get more performance out of them as I originally expected. It filled in many gaps in my knowledge. I'll be on the lookout for the other books that were mentioned in this discussion. Oh, and I've been a Kevin Cameron fan since he wrote for Cycle Magazine. When that magazine came I would read his article and Ed Hertfelter before even checking what else was in there.

[oldschool]

For the Two Stoke enthusiast I would recommend the "Two-Stroke Tuner's Handbook" by Gordon Jennings and "Two-Stroke Performance Tuning" by A. Graham Bell. Jennings' book is easy to read and describes the steps required to develop a Two-Stroke Racing Engine, in a logical Manner. Bell's book is more technically oriented and has a great volume of information for a Two-Stroke enthusiast to digest. I make these comments as a Two-Stroke enthusiast who has a Degree in Mechanical Engineering with an Empasis in Power and Propulsion. Also, I've been racing Two Stoke Motorcycles for over 50 years.
Regards,
Motorbike Mike Piekarski

[julniemier]

Hi, Carroll Smith may be the best automotive tech writer of all time - he has the working history to make me a believer.

[CaptainFury]

My personal list for the most influential motorcycle books: Anything by Kevin Cameron or Peter Egan. Mike drop.

[Larpy]

Sir Harry Ricardo’s book was in my public library in the early-mid-70s. I borrowed it repeatedly. That was in North Bay, Ontario
(Canada). A great library. Started from a Carnegie grant long before WW2.

[ShaunNielsen]

Thankyou Kevin for all your books. I almost let a friend borrow my copy of Classic Motorcycle Race Engines until I saw the cost to replace it - OVER $500!

[robertrishel]

These videos with Kevin Cameron are pure GOLD!!!! I’m so hooked, just binging away!
On moto books: Shout out to “Motocross, techniques and training” by Brad lackey and Len weed👍. It was my bible when I was a kid!

[clintselby]

Keith Code’s books, Twist of the Wrist, etc… are very helpful for riding technique.

[ianjones]

It, s nice to hear Mark your beginning story, I to started erly in life with motorcycles, at 15 I owned a 42 Harley, and a a 1 kawasaki twin I didn't have much of a idea on what to do but it was a lot of fun, thank you for making these videos cheers boys

[jtnelson]

All of your podcast episodes have been fantastic! Please keep them coming

[squiretomasie]

Kevin is the MAN! I have followed him from his start. I have learned so much from him!

[daveo]

One of my favorite books is "The design and tuning of competition engines" by Phillip H Smith. Wanted a copy since I was a kid in the '70s, finally found one 10 years ago. Still relevant info today.

[upsidedowndog]

Lean Of Peak (LOP) operation of aircraft engines is almost like a religeon. KC's explanations over the years allowed me to be able to teach my engine customers how it works. I may not have had everyone convinced but at least they were good explanations.

[travispilant]

Great video. Please keep the book reviews coming. Thanks!