Over 677 colour photographs
Over 15 illustrations

• The ultimate guide to motorbikes and biking with over 670 photographs



• The World Of Motorcycling: A history of the motorcycle, including special features on sport, racing, touring, customised bikes, landmarks, records, and motorcycles in war and at the movies



• The A-Z Of Motorcycles: A marque-by-marque guide with every motorcycle illustrated and fact boxes detailing specifications



• Model listings cover 100 years - everything from the ancient Scott Roadster to Aprilla's 250cc Grand Prix racer



• The complete inspiration for new motorcyclists, knowledgeable historians and dedicated motorcycle enthusiasts

Since the invention of the engine people have been intrigued and excited by the hundreds of ways it can be adapted to propel oblects at ever-increasing speeds, and none has thrilled and fascinated more than the motorcycle, which represents mechanical power at its most raw, pure and existential. This book covers the whole world of the motorcycle from myth-and-legend to nuts-and-bolts in a single volume. It provides a perfect introduction for the new enthusiast and an invaluable reference and source book for the most experienced and knowledgeable of motorcycle riders, historians and collectors.

Section one: The World of Motorcycling charts the evolution of the motorcycle from its first development by Daimler in 1885 to the superbikes of the 21st century. Landmarks in engineering and design are recorded through painstakingly researched archive illustrations and contemporary documentation and placed in their social and historical context. Special features cover different types of engine; changing technology; the anatomy of a motorcycle; sport and racing; record breaking through the years; tourincg; working motorcycles and their special functions; motorcycles in the movies; custom motorcycles; the great models, and much much more.

Section two: The A-Z of motorcycles is a definitive marque- by-marque encyclopedia of models and manufacturers both existing and defunct. Every major marque is illustrated with photographs showing the beauty and originality of each machine. This unique collection of photographs is augmented by a comprehensive text which details the technical specifications of the machines; describes the key elements of their design, their performance features and engineering standards; and comments on their special qualities and attributes.

About the Authors

Roland Brown - Author

Roland Brown has many years' experience as a motorcycle journalist. After working Bike magazines, where he was Deputy editor, he turned freelance in 1989 and tests bikes for magazines in more than 20 countries. He is an author of several previous books on motorcycles and writes about bikes for magazines and newspapers including Top Gear and The Times. He has also raced motorcycles for over ten years, competing at international level in the Formula One World Championship and in endurance events, including the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Bol d'or.