Customer comments on this selection.
 Worst book ever written?
This is quite possibly the worst book ever. However, since I have not read every book I won't state that as fact. Based on the books I have read, this was by far the biggest waste of my time and money. If ZERO STARS were an option, I would rate it accordingly. It simply does not reflect the bikers I know or would even remotely want to be associated with. If the author's circle of friends is the "Motorcycle Culture" kindly count me out. However, since there is apparently a portion of the motorcycling community that actually thinks along the same lines as the author (as of 8/22/08 seven reviewers had given this book 5 stars!) I hope the author writes many more books so as to keep his like-minded readers at home thereby making the streets a safer place for the rest of us.
If you are interested in improving (or learning) cycling skills read the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's guide and read either or both of Peter Egan's 'Leanings' books if you want some amusing and interesting stories about motorcycles (and not just Harley's). Yes, all three books will cost roughly 3 times more than the Biker's Handbook, but you'll probably get 10 times the enjoyment.
Sadly, doesn't hit the mark
This book makes the claim to be a beginner's guide to the "Biker Culture". Jay Barbieri suggests this book will help the reader to fit into the culture avoiding common newbie fo-paws. Being a 31 year veteran biker myself passionate to riding, I looked forward to receiving my copy of the "Biker's Handbook" in the mail. After reading Barbieri's' s reflections and insight, I hoped to pass it on to a couple of friends just joining the riding populace for some entertaining pearls of wisdom; especially on biker "etiquette", symbolism, history, etc,
Barbieri's book falls quite short of hitting the mark. His recounting of motorcycling history is often flawed (even details of the origin of the "1%er") and generally discounts the role of any other brand of motorcycle other than HD. While historical perspective may not be a big deal in many other `recreational' (as referred nowadays) pastimes - and some errors may seem "minor" - that history is deeply interwoven into at least what the "Harley-type" subculture of motorcycling is. This books' advice may seem `real' to casual riders in the Weekend Biker world, but is not insightful into the culture of riders who actually do "Live to Ride". Sadly, it fails to give much insight into the passion if not the soul of riding many new riders are often drawn to. (For example, Barbieri advises shipping the reader's bike to a rally or renting a bike there, apparently not understanding that the Ride is almost (if not more) important than being there.)
Not all of Barbieri's points are off target. Some of his tid-bits and advice merely reflect his independent and personal style which is central to the culture. However in other areas ... if some of the advice he gives is taken, a rider may find him/herself taking unnecessary or even dangerous risks. From the accurate-but-obvious (Outlaw Club members are not your buddies: treat them with caution and respect), to the misinformed (...don't wear fingerless gloves or vests), to absolute B.S. (...wear GLASS eye protection ... and his instructions on braking), a significant amount of the advice this `handbook' gives should be considered with caution at best. And what Barbieri omits is often just as important - like the many midlife newcomers that buy a Harley and immediately hit Sturgis (or other large Runs) without having the basic necessary skills to ride in the packs that they will inevitably find themselves swept up in.
Take a motorcycling course, learn braking (etc.) there, and give yourself a year before a large Meet. Please.
Finally, and perhaps most alarmingly, beyond the first few chapters on getting started Barbieri's book devolves into a disjointed collection of anecdotes recalling his fond memories of him and friends partying and riding drunk and/ or stoned. Peppered throughout those tales he cautions in effect. `Don't do what I do (did)' - but damn this was fun.
Suds and smoke has been and is definitely part of the subculture. However there is no place for it on 2 wheels. And there is so much more going on at Sturgis (et. al.) than just the drunken anecdotes he presents.
Thankfully this book is a short-read. "Important" one-liners from the text are frequently pulled out and retyped in large print ...full-page drawings often illustrate again the text the reader has just read ... and several chapters have a `review" in the margins or at the end ... again restating what the reader just read.
On balance, there isn't much there.
I can't recommend this book or even pass my copy on to others. Here's (sincerely) hoping for a second and more accurate edition - the time is ripe for a book like this. This may be a good book on becoming an uninformed RUB -Rich Urban Biker (he even gets that wrong - using the term "Rubes" throughout the book) that enjoys playing with expensive toys. But if one wants a mini course on what the "Biker Culture" is all about, sadly this isn't it.
idiocy and the technique of motorcycle fools
in the interest of full disclosure, i did not buy this book. however, i read it in the course of about an hour while sitting at the bookstore. you too should read it for free, if at all.
first off, the author has no real love motorcycles, but the neo-harley dentist/accountant scene that the "american" pig iron scene has become. the photos of him and his friends are enough to make me want to avoid any of the rides, bars, rallies, and scenes that the book describes. frankly, dear author, with your stringy long hair, gauntlets, black leather, and overweight motorcycle, you all look a bit light on your toes. and don't bother with the sportsters, they aren't heavy enough, expensive enough, and can actually be ridden.
second, the cavalier attitude about drinking and riding is disgusting. the main point given to not do so is financial. never mind that riding a bike so large that one can barely control it under the best of circumstances is dangerous, add some alcohol to the mix and create a dangerous situation for everyone. please, dear author, maintain also your cavalier attitude about wearing your helmet and do us all a favor.
third, to state that harleys now have a modern engine is wishful thinking, at best. it is still the same 45 degree pig that it always was, prone to shaking itself apart and mismatched power stroke that makes one grind their teeth. even buell, dear author, has gone to a modern rotax engine that puts the harley engine to shame.
fourth, liberal use of the 'F' word does not a biker make. nor does a liberal sprinkling of 'custom' off the shelf, bolt on, chrome trinkets make a custom bike. i've been riding a long time, have completely disassembled my own bike and rebuilt it how i wanted it (and no, it isn't american and its not japanese), and nothing makes me more amused than to see a bunch of middle aged nobodies riding a bunch of off-the-showroom-floor pigs, all dressed in black and looking for all the world just what they are: overgrown boys that finally have the $30K to buy into a scene and maybe missed their exit for masquerade ball. oh, and trucking your bikes to the rallies and/or flying is about your speed. you earned those scratches on your bikes, buddy. gotta love it.
fifth, if motorcycle gangs don't like to be called gangs and/or gang members, they shouldn't behave as such. sorry, but any 'club' that sells drugs, prostitution, guns, and resolves disputes with violence as their main source of income is a gang. it is what it is, get over it.
lastly, the bullet lists were somewhat helpful. lists of things that one needs on the road, things to watch out for, etc., are about the only thing worthwhile in this waste of paper. but you have to look at skull and crossbones instead of proper bullets, oh brother.
do yourself a favor and read zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance. the reading is better, the author actually cares, and the lists are much more useful.
and the 'F' word simply isn't necessary to get your point across.
 Bikers handbook
Great book for beginners but very enjoyable to veteran riders. I've been riding since 1965. I found much of the info to be very good. I wish this book had been available 40 years ago, I may not have made many of the mistakes that I did. A must read for new riders!!
 A few good stories but not much substance.
This book contains a few amusing stories but if you're thinking about buying this book to become a "real " biker, save your money and get a life. Although the author makes a pretty clear case for riding a particular brand of motorcycle, his point of view completely lacks the soul of a true biker. No doubt the author has seen his share of people and places while on two wheels but you'll wonder if this book is meant to educate or simply to validate the fact that the author is a real biker. Riding a bike has more to do with the name that's on the tank and I don't feel that the author has gotten past that yet.
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