Mastering the Ride, 2nd Edition, Updated and Revised: More Proficient Motorcycling

by David L. Hough

Following the success of Proficient Motorcycling in 2000, author David L. Hough released a second book of motorcycling topics and lessons called More Proficient Motorcycling in 2003. Now, a decade later, Hough returns to overhaul the book for a new generation of riders with new lessons, safety tips, illustrations, and full-color photos. A favorite of safety courses and instructors, Mastering the Ride: More Proficient Motorcycling, 2nd Edition will be the must-have guidebook to motorcycling across the country. The 2nd Edition will be updated with the tips and lessons that are most commonly asked of the author, with answers conveyed through added text, illustrations, colorful graphics, and recent statistics.

Genres: Motorcycle, Motorcycling, Nonfiction, Research, Bicycles

223 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Miguel G. Dominguez]

I have read this book from cover to cover, as a a fifty-seven year veteran of the motorcycle culture and being seventy-two years old I find it very interesting that he entered into a conversation about aging and riding a distance. Even though he covered taking curves, I don’t really remember how he covered taking dirty curves or turns, though he did mention that grease strip you might find at intersections. I do feel that mentioning, in some places that have nice winding curves, there’s gravel that washes off the shoulders of the road into your intended path making for a very dangerous situation.
I am very glad to have been able to read this book, in order to sharpen my beloved adventure, thanks to the author, it will be of much help to many others.

[William Sankey]

Wish this book would have come with my first bike

Well written lessons from a life on the saddle, with plenty of examples from others mistakes as well as drills and techniques to work on to ride safer and more aware of what’s going around the bike your on.

[Jorge Moya]

The last section of the book, his road trip stories, was the most interesting part. Everything else is a repeat of his first book.

[Renato]

A must-read if you want to go on two wheels

[Christopher J.]

Excellent skills book. Read this if you're a biker.

[Scott]

Just repeats the same information from his first book. I wouldn't bother with this sequel -- just read "Proficient Motorcycling".

Two gripes:
-Hough's use of the word "accident" to refer to all types of crashes. About 95% of motor vehicle crashes are caused by human error. Calling these "accidents" implies that the situation was unavoidable and the driver is not responsible.
-The repeated assertion that most of the time it is better to speed as long as everyone else is doing it. This mindset assumes that the only people affected by higher traffic speed are the drivers of motor vehicles, ignoring vulnerable users like pedestrians and bicyclists as well as nearby residents who have to deal with decreased safety and increased noise and air pollution.

However, I appreciate the focus on riding within your limits and always being able to stop within your line of sight. Many motorists do not seem to grasp this basic rule and throw themselves around blind corners and over blind hills at whatever speed they want.

[Maksym Karazieiev]

Amazing book with a lots of good advises and examples from real life. I'm riding for 11 years land got a ton of new things to confided and adapt in my riding. I would recommend this book to both beginners and experienced drivers. Personally I've enjoyed The chapters about safety between rides and long distance trips.

[Dav Paulsen]

A lot of things to experiment on

An interesting compilation of riding techniques and advice. Some are going to take a bit of experimentation to fully understand and determine if I want to keep them our not. Also some good descriptions of what I have felt when riding or maneuvering my bike on the road. I really was feeling something, just couldn't describe it.

[Karl]

This was a better read than the first one even with some overlapping material. It doesn't get quite as heavily into the physics of motorcycling which is good and bad. I've noticed a big difference in how I ride after reading this.

[Steve]

More great stuff, this could save your life, no matter how long you've been riding.

Highly recommend!

[Michelle]

Everyone who rides should read Proficient and More Proficient Motorcycling.

[C]

Falls under "more of the same" from Proficient Motorcycling.

[Fred Ridgeway]

A lot of repetition from the authors' first book.

[Frank]

Required reading for any rider.

[Scot Berkey]

More excellent information for the reader, but there is some overlap with the first book. A worthwhile read nonetheless.

[Sharada Prasad]

Very few new things than the other popular book written by this author!

[Alfredo Olguin]

Good Book it show me how to ride and look forward unless watching sides or looking closer than I must.

[Patty]

skimmed through it - very informative

[Keith]

Rehash of old material. I guess there's only so much one can say about safe riding techniques.