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Motorcycle Smarts: Overcome Fear, Learn Control, Master Riding Well
The truth is this. Riding a motorcycle well is part skill, part willing to learn, part understanding of basic physics, and part giving a damn about your safety and the safety of those around you.David Mixson, author of the Motorcycle Smarts book series (and NASA engineer), debunks the myth that crashing is a matter of fate by explaining the most important topics that other motorcycle mega books gloss over.You won't find page-filling discussions about how to get the most out of your first Sturgis Rally or how to select riding gear. Instead, you'll find one of the most in-depth, simple to understand explanations of lowside and highside crashes that exists—anywhere. Riders die every day in these rider-induced crashes—and it doesn't have to be this way.Mastering the art of riding a motorcycle well is about understanding and overcoming rider fear. It's about having the head knowledge of how your motorcycle works so you can make it go where you want it to go. It's about understanding why riders crash so you can avoid making the same mistakes. It's about taking ownership of your riding safety.In addition to in-depth discussions about rider fear and (lowside and highside crashes), Motorcycle Smarts covers topics like countersteering, muscle memory, and braking. It also addresses some of the most important lessons from the Hurt Report and makes a case for only riding motorcycles equipped with ABS—that has nothing to do with stopping distances.Here's what one reader "I was the lead motorcycle instructor for the Milwaukee Police Department for 20 years and received my Basic and Instructor Training through Northwestern University. I have varying views on a couple of techniques but found Motorcycle Smarts to be insightful and a good training tool for new riders—and a good refresher for experienced riders. I've encouraged my son, also a Police Motor Officer, to read this book."— Mike, Retired Police Sergeant in MilwaukeeNHTSA studies show that nearly half of all motorcycle fatalities are caused by rider error—and the numbers aren't getting any better. The training isn't working. The current motorcycle skills books aren't working. We need a fresh approach to helping riders NOT crash. This book is that.Skilled riders crash and die every day when there was NOTHING they could have done to avoid it. But it is also true that under-skilled riders crash and die every day when there WAS something they could have done to avoid it.Motorcycle safety is a choice. Anyone who tells you different is a liar."My goal is simple—to help one rider. That's what my motorcycle mentors did for me when I first started riding."— David Mixson
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2021
103 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 5, 2023
If you get on a motorcycle without having read this book first, you are compromising safety. It’s really quite that simple.
I have read dozens of books, manuals, pamphlets, tea leaves, fortune cookies, etc., about motorcycle theory, riding, technique and tales of adventure travel. If one nugget from any one source makes me a better rider, the time was not wasted. Fast forward to this book. There were so many subjects that resonated with me with information that filled uninformed/uneducated voids while reinforcing existing skills that it would be difficult to focus on one chapter or attribute.
My motorcycling world was compromised years ago by an inattentive driver in a BMW Z3. It has taken lots of time and effort to put the psychological Humpty back together again. (The physical part was much faster, thanks to a great surgeon and modern medicine.). David Mixson’s well-written, finely edited and pleasantly formatted book has breathed new life into my two-wheeled psychological healing. The noisy distractions of fear and self-doubt are much quieter and the joy of the sport is singing louder in fine four-part harmony. Thanks David.
I have read dozens of books, manuals, pamphlets, tea leaves, fortune cookies, etc., about motorcycle theory, riding, technique and tales of adventure travel. If one nugget from any one source makes me a better rider, the time was not wasted. Fast forward to this book. There were so many subjects that resonated with me with information that filled uninformed/uneducated voids while reinforcing existing skills that it would be difficult to focus on one chapter or attribute.
My motorcycling world was compromised years ago by an inattentive driver in a BMW Z3. It has taken lots of time and effort to put the psychological Humpty back together again. (The physical part was much faster, thanks to a great surgeon and modern medicine.). David Mixson’s well-written, finely edited and pleasantly formatted book has breathed new life into my two-wheeled psychological healing. The noisy distractions of fear and self-doubt are much quieter and the joy of the sport is singing louder in fine four-part harmony. Thanks David.
June 14, 2022
Thank You
I have been riding consistently for over 54 years. 20+ of those as a Motor Officer. I took an MSF basic course with my son (16 yoa) to keep him company. That showed me how much I didn't know. Since then becoming a Police Motor Officer and attending several of the best service schools I have not stopped seeking more knowledge and understanding of motorcycles in street use. I'm currently an MSF coach and try to instill my love & respect for the sport. Coaching makes men a better " informed" rider. Thus reading this book. I tell people if you think you know all there is to know & learn about riding,,,,hang the key's up & don't get back on it! Great book Thank You.
I have been riding consistently for over 54 years. 20+ of those as a Motor Officer. I took an MSF basic course with my son (16 yoa) to keep him company. That showed me how much I didn't know. Since then becoming a Police Motor Officer and attending several of the best service schools I have not stopped seeking more knowledge and understanding of motorcycles in street use. I'm currently an MSF coach and try to instill my love & respect for the sport. Coaching makes men a better " informed" rider. Thus reading this book. I tell people if you think you know all there is to know & learn about riding,,,,hang the key's up & don't get back on it! Great book Thank You.
April 9, 2023
Full of useful and important information for ALL riders
A great book for beginners and seasoned riders. I myself rode from the age of 15 to 29 in the UK and then decided to get back into it at the Grand old age of 57! I am the ground owner of a large cruiser now. I still read and learned things I didn't know about motorcycle control. If you learn one thing from this book, counter steering! I learnt this and tried it and was amazed that I had not learned this before at the age of 60! Thank you David. I am now enjoying safer riding in the hills and valleys of Tennessee.
PS. I am not Nancy S, I am her husband Jon S.
A great book for beginners and seasoned riders. I myself rode from the age of 15 to 29 in the UK and then decided to get back into it at the Grand old age of 57! I am the ground owner of a large cruiser now. I still read and learned things I didn't know about motorcycle control. If you learn one thing from this book, counter steering! I learnt this and tried it and was amazed that I had not learned this before at the age of 60! Thank you David. I am now enjoying safer riding in the hills and valleys of Tennessee.
PS. I am not Nancy S, I am her husband Jon S.
December 5, 2022
This is the first book motorcycling begginers should read
I have read as much as I could about motorcycling safety and riding skills, to develop brain or head knowledge / skills and I recommend people to get all the big authors on the topic.
This author is simple, direct and concise in his explanations and advice which is confirmed by many other writers.
I think practice has an invaluable place in riding and such readings can improve it before taking any advanced riding courses.
Best regards to all motorcyclists.
I have read as much as I could about motorcycling safety and riding skills, to develop brain or head knowledge / skills and I recommend people to get all the big authors on the topic.
This author is simple, direct and concise in his explanations and advice which is confirmed by many other writers.
I think practice has an invaluable place in riding and such readings can improve it before taking any advanced riding courses.
Best regards to all motorcyclists.
August 31, 2025
Filled with excellent riding safety wisdom!
This book is an easy short read filled with wise information on riding safety and the data behind it. Use your front brakes, avoid locking up the rear brake, use counter steering, trust your tire traction, wear a helmet and safety riding gear, and get a bike with abs and traction control if possible. Looking forward to reading Mixson’s other books in the series.
This book is an easy short read filled with wise information on riding safety and the data behind it. Use your front brakes, avoid locking up the rear brake, use counter steering, trust your tire traction, wear a helmet and safety riding gear, and get a bike with abs and traction control if possible. Looking forward to reading Mixson’s other books in the series.
March 21, 2022
The book is an excellent resource for new motorcycle riders, and offers a good review for experienced riders. Despit having ridden a bike on and off for 45 years, i still found the book worthwhile. I’m still learning. Mixom’s discussion of the physics and safety of motorcycle riding made me wiser and better prepared to enjoy the activity that I love.
December 14, 2022
Great advice for any rider
I have ridden on and off for almost 40 years. I love how this book addresses the fact that you can still have fear (and that it's ok) and you can overcome the fear by constant learning and practice. Highly recommend to any rider of any skill level.
I have ridden on and off for almost 40 years. I love how this book addresses the fact that you can still have fear (and that it's ok) and you can overcome the fear by constant learning and practice. Highly recommend to any rider of any skill level.
October 27, 2023
My first motorcycle skills book - A great start!
This book was recommended to me as a first book to read for a newly licensed rider. He was right. I learned a lot and will reread this book often.
This book was recommended to me as a first book to read for a newly licensed rider. He was right. I learned a lot and will reread this book often.
November 29, 2023
Straight talking advice ,tips and thoughts
Easy to follow easy to understand and strengthened my own thoughts on all the subjects.xxx
No showing off what he knows just good advice and insights on important subjects
Easy to follow easy to understand and strengthened my own thoughts on all the subjects.xxx
No showing off what he knows just good advice and insights on important subjects
May 14, 2024
Wanted to read this before taking my hands on motorcycle safety course this weekend. I believe I am going in with knowledge that will help me to be successful! Thank you for helping me to start with good thoughts and habits!
June 23, 2024
As someone who teaches folks how to ride, the book is pretty good. However, this book shouldn’t take the place of learning with an actual instructor. Even just a basic riding course can give you SPECIFIC instruction to life-saving skills that you won’t get from just reading alone.
July 28, 2025
Good information in a easy way to understand
This was a good read lots of good takes. Like don’t lock up your rear break. Use your front break every time. Learn to control/ counter stearing. As a newer rider this has helped me. I would recommend it.
This was a good read lots of good takes. Like don’t lock up your rear break. Use your front break every time. Learn to control/ counter stearing. As a newer rider this has helped me. I would recommend it.
October 30, 2025
Every rider would be smart to read and apply these points.
That being said, I would’ve appreciated more detail and less repetitive “fluff” around each point. But, that can be forgiven as the whole book is an hour or two’s read.
Don’t lock your rear wheel. And enjoy nature.
That being said, I would’ve appreciated more detail and less repetitive “fluff” around each point. But, that can be forgiven as the whole book is an hour or two’s read.
Don’t lock your rear wheel. And enjoy nature.
May 15, 2022
Amazing. A must read
I’m a motorbike instructor and David made things so clear in this book. This book will help to save lives.
I’m a motorbike instructor and David made things so clear in this book. This book will help to save lives.
December 17, 2022
Very good
Good informative information, laid out in a straightforward manner. Looking forward to reading more of your books on motorcycles. Thanks
Good informative information, laid out in a straightforward manner. Looking forward to reading more of your books on motorcycles. Thanks
September 4, 2023
Lots of good facts
Motorcycles are a journey. Always great to continue to learn and LIVE. I would highly recommend reading this book. Awesome.
Motorcycles are a journey. Always great to continue to learn and LIVE. I would highly recommend reading this book. Awesome.
April 17, 2024
An important book to prevent crashes
I am so glad I read this book and I'm sure it will make me a safer cyclist on the road.
I am so glad I read this book and I'm sure it will make me a safer cyclist on the road.
December 22, 2024
Unlike me, if you not looking for hardcore technical information about motorcycles, and also if you like chitchat with some 50 year old man with dad humour.
This book is for you
This book is for you
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews