Over the last year, we haven’t been able to take out our motorcycles as much as we wanted to. But that shouldn’t stop you from exploring your passion. A great way to keep yourself engaged in the lockdown is reading, and what is better than to read about our shared passion for motorcycling! In this story, we will tell you about five great books that have motorcycles at their heart.
Guy Martin: My Autobiography
The ‘rum lad’ from Kirminton, Guy Martin takes us behind the pits of the Isle of Man TT, considered by many as the world's most dangerous motor racing event. A veteran racer and an icon of the sport, he narrates his inspirational but crazy stories from fixing trucks and waiting tables, to breaking into the world of Tourist Trophy and even surviving a fireball crash at 273kmph. The book is humble and witty, and coming straight from Guy’s perspective ensures that you get goosebumps, while laughing out loud.
You can buy this book here - Guy Martin: My Autobiography
Riding Towards Me: Jay Kannaiyan
Riding Towards Me is a travelogue penned by Jay Kannaiyan, a mechanical engineer who sold his house and other belongings to move back to New Delhi from Chicago. But he took a really long way home. Determined, and blessed by a network of really good friends (many of whom he found on the way), he took a thousand days to accomplish the journey on a motorcycle, using chicken curry as a currency during his travels. A lot of the themes explored talk about self confidence and goodwill, and the book leaves you feeling positive and with a thirst for your own thousand day-long adventure.
You can buy this book here - Riding Towards Me: Jay Kannaiyan
Jupiter's Travels: Ted Simon
Ted Simon embarked on a four year-long voyage around the world on a Triumph motorcycle in the late 1970s, covering 1,01,389 kilometers and passing through 54 nations. He journeyed through the depths of dread and the heights of joy via breakdowns, incarceration, war, revolutions, disasters, and a Californian commune. For pure adventure, passion, humour, and honesty, this classic novel, which has influenced an entire genre of travel writing in the thirty years since it was originally published, will never be surpassed.
You can buy this book here - Jupiter's Travels: Ted Simon
Lone Rider: The First British Woman to Motorcycle Around the World by Elspeth Beard
Elsepeth Beard bought a 1974 BMW R60/6 Boxer at the age of 23, three years after finishing her architecture studies, and with pure dedication and grit, she became the first British woman to motorcycle around the world in 1982. After travelling through harsh terrain and ducking every punch the world threw her way, she returned to London nearly two and a half years later she was stones lighter and decades wiser.
You can buy this book here - Lone Rider: The First British Woman to Motorcycle Around the World by Elspeth Beard
What If I Had Never Tried It: Valentino Rossi
This is the autobiography of Valentino Rossi. The nine-time world champion narrates his adventures on the road to MotoGP, how he planned his iconic celebrations, and how lonely it is at the top for someone who desperately wants an ordinary life. After leaving Honda for the underdog of Yamaha in 2003 and conquering the pinnacle sport of racing, Rossi has aptly titled his autobiography “What If I Had Never Tried It”.
You can buy this book here - What If I Had Never Tried It: Valentino Rossi
The list is far from covering all of the greats because there are many more books out there that will captivate you with their storytelling around motorcycles. These writers have immortalised their story in print, and have recorded them to inspire generations that follow. Do hit us up on our social media channels and let us know which one was your favourite!