"This book, a polished, winding meditation on the theory and fractiousness of motorcycles, celebrates both their eccentric history and the wary pleasures of touring."—The New Yorker In a book that is "a must for anyone who has loved a motorcycle" (Oliver Sacks), Melissa Pierson captures in vivid, writerly prose the mysterious attractions of motorcycling. She sifts through myth and hyperbole: misrepresentations about danger, about the type of people who ride and why they do so. The Perfect Vehicle is not a mere recitation of facts, nor is it a polemic or apologia. Its vivid historical accounts-the beginnings of the machine, the often hidden tradition of women who ride, the tale of the defiant ones who taunt death on the racetrack-are intertwined with Pierson's own story, which, in itself, shows that although you may think you know what kind of person rides a motorcycle, you probably don't.

The author discusses her ten-year love affair with motorcycles, providing historical and social accounts of motorcycles and motorcyclists in an attempt to provide insight into what drives people to ride.

This work aims to convey the exhilaration and devotion bikers feel for their machines, as well as seeking to debunk the macho image of the motorcycle.

“Pierson is an even better writer than she is a rider.”—Boston Globe “World’s Toughest Motorcycle Riders”—long-distance motorcycling is not a pastime but an obsession. In this candid, eloquent, sharply observed book, Melissa Holbrook Pierson introduces us to this strange endeavor and the men and women who live to ride impossibly long distances, eating up road, almost without cease. And who find it nothing but fun. Perhaps the most determined of them is John Ryan, a magnetic, enigmatic man who loves nothing better than breaking records of amazing distance—at no small risk to himself and his health. But why? Pierson, who rediscovered the joys of motorcycling in the midst of a personal crisis, puts on her helmet and joins Ryan in his element in order to understand his singular desire and discipline, his passion and his obsession. The Man Who Would Stop at Nothing offers an intimate glimpse of an unusually independent yet supportive community as well as a revealing, unforgettable portrait of its most daring member. In electric, pitch-perfect prose, Pierson gives us rare insights into not only a subculture but also the deeply human craving for something more that drives it.

A highly-illustrated account of the history, design and culture of the motorbike, Motorcycle is essential reading for the Harley-Davidson roadhog, bike collector, or anyone who’s felt the power of the unmistakable king of the road.

An illustrated guide to the history of motorcycle design that profiles bikes from around the world, describes technical and stylistic innovations, and includes photographs.

In Motorcycles, early readers will learn about the different kinds of motorcycles people ride and what those bikes are used for. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage emergent readers as they discover the unique features of these machines. A labeled diagram helps readers identify the parts of a motorcycle, while a picture glossary reinforces new vocabulary. Children can learn more about motorcycles online using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Motorcycles also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, and an index. Motorcycles is part of the Machines at Work series.