We don't care if you're a professional motorcycle racer or someone who just loves the idea of riding, we think you're going to get a big kick out of The Art of the Racing Motorcycle: 100 Years of Designing for Speed. An oversized coffee table book, this love letter to motorcycle racing history is awash in glorious photographs and fascinating stories about the evolution of racing, design and engineering of motorcycles.
Dozens of classic racers grace these pages. Fans of the Peugeots, BMWs, Harleys, Indians and Ducatis will all get something to drool over, with each machine presented as wonders of design in beautiful and rare archival images along with great stories about their roles in rallies, classic races and shows. There's coverage for some of the most respected bikes ever, including the 1902 Manon, the 1935 Terrot 500, the 1965 Honda GP 250 and the 1990 Ducati Supermono.
Due to the popularity and competition, the motorcycle is easily one of the fastest evolving vehicles of all time. Its capacity for speed and almost dangerous function made it an easy go-to for racing. Bikes weren't necessarily designed for safety in their early days. It was about horsepower and being able to skillfully turn. It wasn't unusual for racing motorcycles to not even have brakes. Early contests were conducted on bicycle velodromes and horse-racing ovals until the crowds drew enough attention for building tracks specifically for motorcycles.
The risks, of course, only made the sport all the more appealing to crowds and thrill seekers. The Art of the Racing Motorcycle: 100 Years of Designing for Speed is a lavish retelling of what drew in the spectators and the riders. Starting with the first recognized American motorcycle the 1900's Orient this retelling of motorcycle racing history presents the prominent players, the designs, the companies and all the thrills and spills that has kept us mesmerized for over a century.
We put this one out on our coffee table and have to admit it's gotten the attention of guests who have never even considered climbing on a motorcycle. Like us, they were immersed in the exotic bikes of the 1960s, superbikes coming out of Japan, American racing and the historic moments associated with them.
Subject: Motorcycle Racing History - photo and stories about designing for speed. ISBN-10: 0789322137 | ISBN-13: 9780789322135 | Penquin Group 2135
Below: The Art of the Racing Motorcycle Sample Page. Copyright Universe Publishing.
