Best motorcycle repair & performance books according to redditors

We found 64 Reddit comments discussing the best motorcycle repair & performance books. We ranked the 36 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.

Next page

Top Reddit comments about Motorcycle Repair & Performance:

u/Some_Old_Man_Fishin · 13 pointsr/motorcycles

This website is a decent starting point:

http://www.dansmc.com/mc_repaircourse.htm

This book might help as well:

Motorcycle Basics Techbook (Haynes Manuals)

u/e60deluxe · 5 pointsr/motorcycles

(1) Ok so licensing and basic training is pretty easy in the US but it still varies state to state.

All states use a rider training program, the majority of them being of the MSF curriculum, a small handful of them being run by the MSF themselves. other states will have their own, but the process is usually more or less the same.

you take a 2 day course that takes you from the point of never having sat on a motorcycle to being a licensed rider (some states will still make you take the DMV written exam however) some states will REQUIRE you to take this class if you are under 21. best to check with your state on the process.

This is where you should start. this is not where you should end however. these courses will give you the skills you need to operate the motorcycle, but before being road ready they need to be drilled down in a parking lot. after getting your bike hopefully you can ride it home in a light traffic hours or have it delivered, and be prepared to get out to an empty parking lot and practice the exercises taught before getting into full blown traffic.

in addition to this, your rider education should not stop. i advise you to check out some books from your local library if not purchasing a copy yourself. i will link below

(2) the clutch in a manual car is more difficult than on a bike, but the same interplay between the clutch and throttle applies. most bikes are also designed with wet clutches which allow them to slip more and take more abuse than dry clutches, also gives them a more linear release (although some Italian bikes have dry clutches) . Bikes can also move off easier without throttle which makes things easier in the beginning. hills starts are not as much of a problem on a bike than a car. one advantage a car has however is a mental one, you dont have to worry about keeping the vehicle upright while you are learning. doing this plus learning the clutch could make things challenging. for the most part, though, a motorcycle will be easier than a car.

(3) at your height most bikes will fit well. there's only a few bikes that you can be too tall for, most of the time its the other way around, where as a beginner you want to be able to flat foot the bike. so a lot of this comes down to which bikes you like.

the other things is that a lot comes down to body geometry so not all 6'2" are going to be equally comfortable on the same bike. best it to go and sit on a few bikes. if you are into sportbikes/sport standards, most of the entry level 250cc-300cc bikes actually fit taller people better than say, a 300cc cruiser.

that being said, when you go to take the course. expect to be slightly uncomfortable. a lot of these bikes used at courses tend to be bikes with very low seat heights so that shorter people can still flat foot them...while you are learning you will have to put your foot down a lot, which can be make a taller person feel cramped on the bike. once your riding, these bikes are mostly fine for us taller folk but in the course with so much stop and go, and bike walking exercising, with such a low seat height, its kind of uncomfortable.


Recommended reading:

Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well
by David L. Hough
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1620081199/
This book is pretty popular and its VERY good. your local library probably has it. I was actually able to get an ebook from the library to read on a tablet in full color without getting off my butt.


The Follow up:
https://www.amazon.com//dp/1935484869/

If you are into sportbikes:

Lee Parks Total Control https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R31222S

Nick Ienatsch Sport Riding Techniques https://www.amazon.com/gp/1893618072/

u/porkrind · 4 pointsr/motorcycles

Get a copy of this book. Cheap these days since they'll all be used. Lots of physics and math. The section on tire slip angles blew my mind at the time.

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Design-Technology-Gaetano-Cocco/dp/8879111892

u/Django_gvl · 4 pointsr/motorcycles

I'm reading Maximum Control and Motorcycling Excellence. I've been riding for 10 years and for the $13 dollars spent on Motorcycling Excellence, I've gotten a great refresher. Plus, the chapter on wheel geometry has given me more confidence in the WNC twistys. Totally worth $13 IMHO. Not Started Maximum Control yet.

u/oookiezooo · 3 pointsr/bikewrench

I have found Zinn's books good for beginners:

Mountain Bikes

Road Bikes

u/gamblekat · 3 pointsr/Fixxit

Motorcycle Basics Techbook. Covers all the major systems in detail and how they developed.

u/Deathgripsugar · 3 pointsr/Motorrad

I have a slightly more modern cousin to your older K but some things are the same:

Preface: Grab your self a clymers:

link

Get familiar with parts fiche:

MAx BMW

Get used parts and kits

Beemer Boneyard

as for your questions:

  1. Looks suspicious, like someone put that in later on, the parts fiche makes no mention of this sort of tape installed.

  2. probably your measuring part doesn't work properly.

    the replacement is

    62 16 1 459 565 (<---BMW PART#) PETROL GAUGE $121.17

  3. can't help you here im afraid, but anything ignition related is pretty expensive, so pick your battles.

  4. you can do this on any bike (upshift without a clutch) but it doesn't really make that big of a difference for day to day riding. I don't do it on my K1200.

    5)Routine maintenance is a bit more involved with the Ks than what the PO lead you to believe. It's not hard but grab the clymers and read up.

    another good site for K-bikes is k-bikes
u/DixieN0rmus · 3 pointsr/Justrolledintotheshop

If you're ever wanting to learn more, pick up this

there are only a few parts I do not agree with or are flat out wrong, but it is required classroom material for Students in both major motorcycle training schools in the U.S.

u/obviouslynuttrolling · 2 pointsr/motorcycles

I started by doing super basic maint. Following the service manual. Then I studied a textbook Modern Motorcycle Technology, which went over all the basics and into depth on a some important processes. Aside from that I YouTube anything before I do it the first time, so I know what to look out for.

Edit: Also, the more you work on bikes, the easier it gets and the better you get! Even if you think you know a bike, check the service manual for the correct specs!

u/kaihp · 2 pointsr/motogp

+1 Kevin Cameron's Sportsbike Performance Handbook is a really good read. A. Graham Bell has written two books on engine tuning (Two-Stroke /Four-Stroke Performance Tuning) which are good companions.

u/dontstopnotlistening · 2 pointsr/Ducati

If you're looking to tune the suspension on your stock bike, I'd suggest making sure that you first understand what you are about to do. I like this book a lot:

http://www.amazon.com/Sportbike-Suspension-Tuning-Andrew-Trevitt/dp/1893618455

Adjusting the pre-load for your weight is likely the most important tuning that you will ever do on a bike intended for casual riding. Depending on how aggressively you ride, you'd probably be completely fine if you never touch any of the tuning away from stock settings.

One suggestion that I will make is to make sure that you have the rear brake configured so that it's difficult to lock up the rear tire. When I got my monster, I felt like the brake lever was too high up and adjusting made using the rear brake feel better for me. Your manual has instructions for adjusting all of the controls.

u/RickRussellTX · 2 pointsr/motorcycles

Suggestion. I am told by various Harley & Goldwing owners that this is an excellent book if you are new to motorcycles of that size.

u/cscwian · 2 pointsr/MTB

I followed directions in Zinn & the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance, which is a great book for all kinds of maintenance and building tasks.

But here's a great guide I just found, which has as much, if not more, information than the book on the subject: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/hub-overhaul-and-adjustment

u/[deleted] · 2 pointsr/motorcycles

Read.
You can start off with this:
http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Basics-Techbook-Haynes-Manuals/dp/185960515X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333517762&sr=8-1

Here's a website with a lot of good stuff:
http://www.dansmc.com/mc_repaircourse.htm

If you're going to buy a used bike, here is a great source of information for doing an inspection:
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html

When you narrow your selection of bikes down to a few models, look around for internet forums that relate to those. You'll get an idea on how much online support you'll be able to find, maybe people with the same bike that live in the same city, and you can familiarize yourself with problems common to that model. That's going to help you decide how much someone's "pride and joy" is actually worth to you.

When you buy the bike, go out and buy the shop manual for it as soon as possible.

Google everything else.

u/IAm_Yu · 2 pointsr/motorcycle

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Basics-Techbook-Haynes-Manuals/dp/185960515X not sure if that would help but seems like it gives a basic rundown of common engines. Looks like something you might be looking for at least for now

u/mooxie · 2 pointsr/motorcycles

YouTube is a great resource, as people are saying. Especially if you can find someone who is working on a similar bike.

The basic user maintenance for your bike will be briefly described in the owner's manual. To go deeper than that definitely pick up the Haynes or Clymer service manual for your bike. They are more beginner-friendly than the manufacturer's service manual.

Finally, if you really want to foster a deep understanding of how motorcycles work on a book-learnin' level, grab the Motorcycle Basics Techbook https://www.amazon.com/dp/185960515X

u/chunkyks · 2 pointsr/Triumph

If you want to know how to mess with suspension, you should definitely juts buy Racetech's book

u/ArBrTrR · 2 pointsr/MotoUK

Start off with a Haynes manual like u/Kartious said. It's as good a starting point as any and will familiarise you with your machine and the procedures which can be mostly repeated across all machines.

Haynes also do some great general workshop manuls like The Motorcycle Tech book and the Motorcycle Electrical tech book both of which are on my wishlist despite a certain degree of mechanical savvy from years of tinkering and a father who was father engineer.

You've also got things like Diploma Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair which is going to be more advanced and in depth. It's an academic text book at NVQ lvl 2, so it's advanced but shouldn't be dauntingly so after you're familiar with common procedures, fault finding and mechanics and will provide an excellent overview and in clear stages of progression as well.

u/markw365 · 2 pointsr/motorcycles

A few things, good choice on the bike! Love the SV650. Get it setup for your weight, it will handle better. We just did this to my son's SV650, he's 130lbs and we resprung it and did the racetech gold valves, and we set proper sag on it. You should be able to set sag, at least on the S model it has preload on the forks, they all have the preload on the rear shock. Also get the svracingparts.com moto frame sliders, they're the best available for this bike and will protect it when you drop it.


Secondly, pick up Lee Parks book, and read it. https://www.amazon.com/Total-Control-Lee-Parks-ebook/dp/B00R31222SConsider taking the intermediate rider course, or the advanced rider course since you've been riding for awhile. I assume you are in the states since you mentioned MSF. Here's the website to find courses in your area.


Thirdly, and this is huge to improving your riding skills, just practice. Find a local big parking lot and just do drills, slow speed u-turns, offset weaves, Emergency BRAKING (huge). Subscribe to Motojitsu channel on youtube. He's probably got the best practice videos out there, I found him when trying to explain countersteering to my son.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0FFFneMi9GwRHUsuBjM0jA


He's also got a couple books on amazon. He's a certified Total Control instructor, and knows his stuff. https://www.amazon.com/MotoJitsu-Master-Riding-Program-Widmar-ebook/dp/B07P8J6Q89


So, Bike setup, Book, courses, videos, practice. Repeat the last one as necessary. I am taking the ARC1 course December 8th (San Diego). Should be fun, I've been off the bike for 15 years, need to blow off the rust.

u/780 · 2 pointsr/Dualsport

I've only travelled between Canada and USA, so I haven't gone in-depth into the research, but this book is both a great read and will cover a lot of what you're asking for:
https://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Motorcycling-Handbook-Planning-Trailblazer/dp/1905864736/

u/cdine · 1 pointr/motorcycles

I highly, highly recommend the book "Sportsbike Performance Handbook" (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058M79U4) - just thinking about it makes me giddy. It's got some of the best explanations and diagrams covering how everything in a motorcycle works, and it's what really made me understand how 4-stroke engines operate as well. The author's writing style is also top notch, he's got a bit of sarcastic humor that slips in there every know and again. Don't be put off by the title if you're not in to sports bikes, there's really only a little bit that's specific to high performance sportsbike stuff at the end, and even then it's really interesting to learn about.

Happy learning!

u/IAteATurtleOnce · 1 pointr/motorcycles

Nighthawk is a great first bike due to it being shaft drive. My bike is a shaft drive and they require, basically, 0 maintenance. Idk what year your bike is, but get a Clymer's manual. This will give you a maintenance schedule as well as illustrate how to do EVERYTHING on the bike. Seriously, get this book today.

u/micvee · 1 pointr/motorcycles

This book has a bunch of drills you can do yourself.

u/grunge_ryder · 1 pointr/motorcycles

These parts fiches show non-adjustable suspension.

https://www.ajsutton.co.uk/genuineparts/12788/C25/sinnis%20stealth%20125%20(qm125-2d)/shock%20absorber%20(c25)?uid=0

https://www.ajsutton.co.uk/genuineparts/12788/C26/sinnis%20stealth%20125%20(qm125-2d)/front%20fork%20(c26)?uid=0

If you want to learn how to figure out what springs you would need to make the bike ride softer find a copy of Paul Thede's book.

https://www.amazon.com/Techs-Motorcycle-Suspension-Bible-first/dp/B004SDDN2W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1499373211&sr=8-3&keywords=paul+thede

But remember, suspension tuning is labor intensive and time consuming if you're going to start swapping springs and fork oil.

The rear shock is probably a De Carbon single tube design which is full of nitrogen gas.

u/RockhardManstrong · 1 pointr/motorcycles

I've used this one as a guide for upgrading the suspension on my motorcycle and many more projects to come.

http://www.amazon.com/Sportbike-Performance-Projects-Motorbooks-Workshop/dp/0760313318/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279671110&sr=1-1

u/aspiring_networkdude · 1 pointr/motorcycles

Here is some more info - https://www.denniskirk.com/learn/how-to-diagnose-motorcycle

Testing a stator is done with the ohms setting of your multimeter, testing the rectifier/regulator with the diode setting.

If it’s not the stator or the rectifier then you might want to look into buying a service manual for your bike to get a look at the wiring diagram and get more ideas what to look for.

Clymer manuals are usually pretty good - https://www.amazon.com/Honda-Shadow-1998-2006-Clymer-Manuals/dp/1599690837

u/madrogp · 1 pointr/motorcycles

tuning suspension is a lot harder than tuning a motor or really anything else on the bike to get right. I do not tune my own suspension nor do I know much about it, but I do know you do not set 'sag' on the front forks you set preload and that is based on the springs. Also 5 inches of sag seems like a LOT in the rear. You should read a book not make a thread I'd suggest this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Sportbike-Suspension-Tuning-Andrew-Trevitt/dp/1893618455/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422042366&sr=8-1&keywords=suspension+tuning+sportbike&pebp=1422042392314&peasin=1893618455

u/changgerz · 1 pointr/motorcycles

your dad has no idea what he's talking about. if a bike had no suspension, it would have no grip, be sliding everywhere (and crashing), and absolutely destroy its tires. you should read this book if you want to know more. it's not very long and is pretty simple and easy for a beginner.

u/Elrathias · 1 pointr/moped

Nope. No 50cc engine will easily go that fast, but its possible. Requires alot of fiddling with the exhaust timing thou, and you loose basicly all low end power.


Get this book, it helps alot: https://www.amazon.com/Two-Stroke-Performance-Tuning-Bell/dp/1859606199


I know theres a pdf around somewhere, but i cba to google-fu it. Your mileage may vary, and i absolutely love my ref literature i have in my shed.

u/nagilfarswake · 1 pointr/motorcycles

I'm going to recommend something a little unconventional around here: an actual paper book.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0760313318/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_6wgwybXHCREVS

I bought this sort of on a whim when I started riding and was in the same position as you, and it was unbelievably informative and interesting to read. Its slightly out of date in that it precedes the advent of common electronic aides, but 100% of the stuff in the book is useful.

Also, while I'm recommending books for new riders, Lee Park's "Total Control" (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0760343446/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_Mxgwyb3MVM3CF) is an absolutely brilliant book. Its specifically about street riding (as opposed to track) and is targed towards newish riders. This book basically singlehandedly changed me from a hesitating novice to a confident (though a little reckless, it taught me to ride well but doesn't teach thoughtfulness the way Keith Code does) rider.

And, of course, the great grand daddy of them all, Twist of the Wrist 2 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0965045021/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_aygwyb1BB573F). This book is so good and so dense that I still find new things to practice every page or two. The definitive riding technique book for good reason. No, you don't need to read part 1.

u/Brakness · 1 pointr/flriders

I did a quick web search for a Nighthawk service manual PDF but couldn't find it. I would check the Nighthawk Forum as Jamulous mentioned. If you can't find it there, just buy one! :D
http://amzn.com/0892877502

u/JimmyJet0092 · 1 pointr/carbrepair

Theres lots of stuff on youtube as far as tune up, carb cleaning, oil changing, that sort of thing. Like you said you can find stuff thats not running and fix it. They can seem overwhelming but if you break them down system by system then all of this is really easy. Ive never read this one but Ive heard its pretty good. https://www.amazon.com/Engine-Repair-including-engines-Manuals/dp/1850106665