Sport Riding Techniques: How To Develop Real World Skills for Speed, Safety, and Confidence on the Street and Track

I own a variety of sport and general riding technique books. I started with the horribly-written Keith Code books which I thought were the greatest thing since sliced bread when they first came out (because there was nothing else that I could find like them at the time). I have the David Hough books and a smattering of other motorcycle skill-enhancing books by other authors. Nothing compares to "Sport Riding Techniques." Nick Ienatsch is a top-notch motorcycle racer, and track-school coach who knows what he is talking about when it comes to technique -but so was Keith Code and his books, while full of sage advice, were pedantic at best. Code's "Twist of the Wrist" can be literally painful to read. Ienatsch, in addition to being a highly skilled racer, rider, and top instructor at the Freddie Spencer Superbike School, is also a highly skilled writer and moto-journalist who has been writing about motorcycles professionally for decades. Writing for a motorcycle magazine has taught him how to write in an entertaining but down-to-earth manner which makes him the ideal person to write a book detailing just exactly what is going on when a rider has mastered the techniques that not only allow you to go fast on a racetrack, but keep you alive on the street. Ienatsch separates the track from the street in his writing. He plainly tells it like it is that certain techniques are best left to the safety of a track and not for the everyday world of gravel in the corners, wildlife on the road, and cell-phone talking teenagers driving daddy's car the other way. While these skills are very useful to master, he explains that hanging off and other racetrack techniques will only get you going way too fast for street conditions and draw attention to you from the constabulary. They are best reserved for the track, or when needed in an emergency when you need to draw from your safety margin when things go completely toes-up on the street. Nick is the author of the highly-acclaimed motorcycle magazine article "The Pace" in which he details the way to treat riding on the street in a responsible and fun manner and stay alive. He has ridden with many other moto-journalists and seen many of them crash and get seriously hurt -even killed. He knows that one needs to ride "The Pace" to stay alive on the street. He is down to earth when telling which techniques are for the track, and what lessons we can learn from that and apply to the public roads. The book is not only superbly written and detail a step-by-step approach to understanding what makes a motorcycle turn, stop and accelerate right to the theoretical limits, but it does it in a beautifully presented coffee table worthy book with tons of very high quality photos and prints inside. All the pages throughout are glossy and the text is immaculately laid out and printed. Even if this book were like the fluff that most other motorcycle self-help/technique books are, it would still be beautiful and worthy of collecting just to page through the pictures and feel the wonderful glossy pages turn under your fingers. It's that nice of a book. The fact that it is so much more than just a pretty coffee table book is almost gravy. For $25 you can't buy anything else for your bike or your gearbag that will give such a return on its investment. There are no go-fast farkles or safety gadgets that will yield such a benifit for your riding and safety as this book. It should be in every rider's library. Get it and read it. It might just save your life, or at least make it that much more enjoyable when you are out on two wheels.

Why should someone who rides on the street read a book written by a motorcycle racer? Because today, an awful lot of riders are tooling around on 100+ horsepower race bikes and wondering why the corners come at them so darned fast! This book is clearly and smoothly written with outstanding photographs, great stories and excellent advice. Here's a sample: There is more to cornering than braking early, throwing the bike down and twisting the throttle. Ever hear of trail braking? Racers use it, and you'll need it when that cage driver backs out in front of you while your leaned over in a tight right hander. Ever wonder why corners scare you? It could be because you are rushing them, not keeping your eyes up, and are riding way too fast for the street. Have you ever wondered just how far you could lean your bike over before bad things start to happen? If you read this book, you'll know how to find out safely. This is a wonderful book for intermediate or experienced riders. New riders probably won't get it. However, for anyone who has been riding for awhile, this book will explain a lot. Quibbles? I wish the author was more descriptive of how a bike behaves at the limit, but I guess that's sort of his point: The smart move is to gradually work up to your limits in a safe and controlled way, in a safe and controlled environment, like a racetrack. Buy this book today and ride better by this weekend.

I’ve been riding for over 50 years. Started out on a lawn mower engine mini bike at six years old. Raced MX as a kid and eventually made the transition to street bikes. A serious accident had me hang it up for many years. Got back on the bike a couple years back and thought it wise to brush up on my skills. I learned most of the content thru years of riding but this book helped me tie all the techniques together in a smoother more proficient and seamless manner. I am also a Champ U grad and between Sport Riding Techniques and the excellent instruction of Champ U I’ve taken my riding further than ever. I don’t ride surface streets or freeways and prefer back roads and the canyons of Southern California. Angeles Forest and Angeles Crest my favorites. You won’t regret reading this. It will make you a smoother faster better and SAFER rider. I salute you and Nick as well as all the staff at Champ U.

If you are going to buy only ONE book to help you with your understanding of motorcycle riding technique as well as safety, this is THE book! Even if you think you're above needing any book, because you're such a great natural rider, unless you are already riding through the corners at speed on track days without falling down, you should read this book, it will improve your skills and make you safer, as well as faster on the twisties! I also have Proficient Motorcycling, and this book is definitely superior in its explanations of how the bike responds to rider input, and what exactly that input should be, and the ways for you to refine it to be a smooth and confident and safer rider. It explains finding your turn apex and how to ride through it in a clearer manner, and I think is more easily understood. It also covers the mental side of safety which is awareness of one's surroundings, and how to recognize and prepare ahead of time for potentially dangerous situations. Proficient Motorcycling does this as well, and I would recommend that as your second book. But Sport Riding Techniques will teach you how to ride with more FINESSE.

This book should be considered mandatory reading for all riders, no matter what type of bike you ride. I've been riding for almost 20 years now, and take the MSF Experienced Rider Course annually on two motorcycles - still - every time I pick up this book I learn something new. The author does an incredible job explaining why the bike does certain things; and I credit the knowledge I gained in this book for two specific incidents where I encountered a situation on the bike, and instead of panic and crash- I knew how to handle the situation. If you're remotely interested in safe riding and understanding how to be a better rider - get this book. The ONLY reason I gave it 4 vs 5 stars is that the title is going to likely deter non-sportbike riders but trust me.....these concepts and ideas apply to all two wheeled street motorcycles. As a motorcycle rider in Washington, DC I am especially fond of the Chapter on Urban Survival....it's worked very well.

An excellent book on the art of riding. If you are new to the world of two wheels, you could do a lot worse than starting with this volume; it's easy to read, easy to understand and, unlike some other books on the topic, it will not steer you wrong with concepts that can be murky at best and dangerous at worst. The solid ideas (and constant reminders) about the importance of proper braking are what sets this apart from many other books on the subject. Several times while reading on this topic I thought to myself "Yep. That very technique has saved my bacon more than once." I also think his section on Urban Survival and The Pace are absolutely essential wisdom if you want to stay alive on the road. Highly recommended to anyone who has never read a book of this kind. For those of you who have been riding for a while; If you have followed the author's articles in Cycle World, or have visited his website, then you will probably not find anything here that you have not heard or read before. Similarly, if you have read more than a few other books on the topic, you might find this somewhat redundant overall. Still, I'm not upset about this purchase, and I do find it to be my current go-to refresher when I feel myself getting sloppy out there.

Great book. I am embarrassed to say I have committed every error shown in this book and I've been riding for years, my CBR900RR looked exactly like the crashed one in the book and I am just healing now from a broken scapula (shoulder blade) and nasty gashes on my left knee from crashing my Ducati which also got busted up. Had I followed the advice in this book I really believe none of these things would have happened. The chapter on braking alone is worth the price of this book, trail-braking into the corner is the only way to go if you want to safely make the turn every time, now that I am using it I can go faster, yet be safer, it is so much better. There is lots of very practical advice in here, some is basic but then there's some quite advanced. I like that I have something to practice and learn to get better every time I go ride rather than just aimlessly driving around not knowing what works or why.

This is a book you should have in your library if you care about improving your riding skills. There is a lot of homework for you if you take it seriously and practice the lessons that will help you not only survive but enjoy riding more. There are many lessons you should practice here prior to or in conjunction with getting into track days/ schools.

Very good book, well written, with a deep understanding of motorcycle riding. The knowledge learned in this book is priceless compared to your life. Educate yourself or someone who is learning how to ride, or needs a reminder.

Conduire une moto c'est bien, la piloter c'est mieux. La nuance est sans doute subtile. Placer sa moto dans un virage à la vitesse et à l'endroit qu'on vise et le faire de manière répétitive, ça c'est du pilotage. L'auteur nous dévoile comment utiliser la moto et nos sens pour nous rapprocher de cette situation. Mais après lire, il faut impérativement passer à la pratique et revenir à la lecture, comparer ses idées avec d'autres motards, etc.

Eines der absoluten Standardwerke zum Thema Fahrer-Coaching und Fahrtechnik, für Einsteiger und alte Hasen geeignet. Sollte man im Regal stehen haben, wenn man sich auf dem Bike verbessern möchte, zumal es sich bei dem Autor quasi um eine Coaching-Legende handelt. Meines Wissen ist das Buch leider nur noch antiquarisch zu haben, mein Exemplar hatte im hinteren Teil einige Seite, die verklebt waren, ich konnte sie aber erfolgreich "trennen". Da können das Buch und der gute Inhalt allerdings nichts dafür, deshalb die vollen 5 Sterne. Die deutsche Übersetzung des Werks heißt übrigens "Auf der Ideallinie", erschienen 2006 bei Delius Klasing. Leider gibt es auch das nur noch antiquarisch. Wer handfeste, kompakte Praxis-Tipps möchte, nicht garniert mit zu viel theoretischem Ballast, wird hier fündig. Ein Buch, dass man immer wieder gerne in die Hand nimmt, um bestimmte Sachen zu rekapitulieren und umzusetzen. Das macht es zur idealen Winterlektüre, um sich auf die neue Saison vorzubereiten...

First of all I must tell that I am a new rider, with just two years of riding experience including one year of compulsory training/riding. So what ever I write below is from this perspective. This is a great book for somebody who wants to improve his/her riding in every aspect and become a better rider, both for fun and safety. The text is plain and easily understandable even from people who English are not their mother language. The structure is clear, with basic and advanced riding techniques and examples, mainly for the road user but with tips for the track as well. This is not a story book. It is like a riding manual. You can even read its section separately (but it is much easier if you first read it once from start to end). You read it, you practise, you revise, you read again. It is a lot of knowledge packed there and somebody needs to read it again and again in order to 'unlock' all of it. Overall one of the best book I have read regarding riding properly a motorcycle

Muy bien narrado y con excelentes fotografías explicando cada tema