Touring on a motorcycle has never been more popular than it is today, but with more and more people hitting the open road, a growing number are doing so without the proper skills and information they need to survive the ordeal. Far too often the trip of a lifetime turns into an unmitigated disaster, leading to expensive breakdowns, arrests, lost wages, broken limbs, death, and even, on more than one occasion, divorce. Most people who travel aboard motorcycles have learned these lessons the hard way, if they’ve survived long enough, but now readers of the Motorcycle Touring Bible can learn an easier way; they can learn from author Fred Rau’s mistakes rather than through the school of hard knocks.

Suspension is probably the most misunderstood aspect of motorcycle performance. This book, by America’s premier suspension specialist, makes the art and science of suspension tuning accessible to professional and backyard motorcycle mechanics alike. Based on Paul Thede’s wildly popular Race Tech Suspension Seminars, this step-by-step guide shows anyone how to make their bike, or their kids, handle like pros.

Thede gives a clear account of the three forces of suspension that you must understand to make accurate assessments of your suspension’s condition. He outlines testing procedures that will help you gauge how well you’re improving your suspension, along with your riding. And, if you’re inclined to perfect your bike’s handling, he even explains the black art of chassis geometry. Finally, step-by-step photos of suspension disassembly and assembly help you rebuild your forks and shocks for optimum performance.

The book even provides detailed troubleshooting guides for dirt, street, and supermoto–promising a solution to virtually any handling problem.

This authoritative book, elegantly written in highly digestible style by the foremost expert on the subject, provides in-depth analysis of classic motorcycle race engines spanning eight decades, from the 1930s Guzzi 500 120-degree twin to the latest Yamaha YZR M1 in-line four. Packed with technical detail, the book provides an absorbing insight into the technology employed in a wide variety of motorcycle engines, investigating the diverse approaches taken by various manufacturers over the years in the search for race-winning performance.

Modern Motorcycle Technology offers motorcyclists an up-to-the-minute technical overview and explanation for all the major mechanical and electrical systems comprising their motorcycle. Whether you ride a sport bike, cruiser, tourer, dual-sport, or off-road machine you’ll learn precisely how your bike works, which will help you keep your motorcycle in top condition.

Author Massimo Clarke takes you through all the major components of your motorcycle focusing on subjects such as engine architecture, fuel systems, transmission, and chassis. The detailed text is accompanied by revealing photos and diagrams that illuminate precisely how these systems work.

Whether new to motorcycling or a road-seasoned veteran rider, you’ll find page after page of fascinating information. Modern Motorcycle Technology is the single reference you’ll return to again and again.