Explains how to plan a motorcycle trip, recommends clothing and accessories, and offers tips on safety.

Explains how to plan a motorcycle trip, recommends clothing and accessories, and offers tips on safety.

A guide to enhance your safety on motorcycle riding.

From the publishers of Motorcycle Consumer News, Shifting Gears at 50 is a one-of-a-kind motorcycling manual for returning and late-entry riders, essentially anyone 40 years old and up who's looking to hit the road on two wheels. Author Philip Buonpastore, a motorcycle journalist and retired US Air Force photographer, helps readers gear up to get back on a motorcycle (or get on one for the first time).In Part 1, "Becoming a Motorcyclist," Buonpastore discusses the basics of buying the right bike, gear, and equipment and getting the bike up to speed. The book continues with a good overview of learning to ride, the importance of taking a road course, venturing out on the first ride, and extending rides to long-distance jaunts. Throughout Part 1 are sidebars by riding- safety instructor and expert Walt Fulton, offering sound advice on safety precautions and execution for every leg of the new and returning rider's journey. The author emphasizes what older riders should be aware of and which factors can affect their rides. Adding lots of great firsthand advice are humorous and helpful stories collected by the author and related by returning riders at various ages, from their late 30s to 60s.In Part 2, Buonpastore shares five of his favorite travelogues covering his long-distance tours around the US, from the American South to the west coasts. This section is illustrated by over 100 of the author's breathtaking photographs of the various locations he toured on his bike.The foreword to the book is provided by best-selling motorcycle author David Hough (author of I-5 Press's Proficient Motorcycling and Mastering the Ride). Hough writes, "If you're getting into today's motorcycling at an age your doctor would describe as ‘middle aged' or ‘senior,' do you yourself a clever favor and read Phil's book."

This book is written to help adventuresome motorcyclists buy, ride, and enjoy dual sport motorcycles, those versatile machines that are equally at home on the street and in the dirt. It is organized into four sections covering motorcycle selection, setup, riding technique, and specialized activities such as off-road touring and rallies. Several chapters include exercises designed to improve riding and impart new skills. Over 250 full-color photographs illustrate the many options for gear, clothing, and aftermarket accessories which can add comfort, safety, and convenience to any motorcycle adventure. The book also contains many references and sources to orient enthusiasts to the sometimes overwhelming sea of information that is available. New riders will benefit from the clear explanations of dual sport gear, accessories, and techniques, while experienced riders coming to dual sport from a street riding background will find chapters covering advanced dirt riding skills, GPS navigation, and preparing for multi-day trips. Riders at all levels will gain a broader perspective of the dual sport experience, from which they can begin their journey to new motorcycle adventures.

Popular motorcycle journalist and author Mark Zimmerman brings a comfortable, conversational tone to his easy-to-understand explanations of how motorcycles work and how to maintain them and fix them when they don't. This practical tutorial covers all brands and styles of bikes, making it a perfect companion to the owner's service manual whether you need to use the step-by-step instructions for basic maintenance techniques to wrench on your bike yourself or just want to learn enough to become an informed customer at your local motorcycle service department. This book includes more than 500 color photos and a thorough index to make it an especially user-friendly reference for home motorcycle mechanics of all skill levels.