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Trusted Motorcycle Travel Books

Motorcycle Travel Books In collaboration with Motorcycle Bob, a long distance motorcycle traveler, here are some of the best motorcycle travel books in print. They cover the how to’s, stories, and philosophy behind long distance motorcycle travel. Other Vagabond Journey travel stores: Trusted Travel Gear | Baby Travel Supply Store| Electronic Travel Gear | How [...]

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Motorcycle Travel Books

In collaboration with Motorcycle Bob, a long distance motorcycle traveler, here are some of the best motorcycle travel books in print. They cover the how to’s, stories, and philosophy behind long distance motorcycle travel.

Other Vagabond Journey travel stores: Trusted Travel Gear | Baby Travel Supply Store| Electronic Travel Gear | How to Travel Books

 

Adventure Motorcycling Handbook (5th Ed)

by Chris Scott

Great starter book for MC adventure riders

 

Against the Wind

by Ron Ayres

About the IronButt Rally, and what goes through the mind of one rider.

 

Alaska by Motorcycle

by Gregory W. Frazier

Dr. Frazier writes a ton of informative and entertaining articles and
books on MC travel
His book "Motorcycle Sex" is a comedy (not one I have read) but just the
name would probably draw people to your site.
Pretty much anything he writes would be good. The bike I rode in South
America was once owned by him.

 

Motorcycle Sex: Or Freud Would Never Understand the Relationship Between
Me and My Motorcycle

by Gregory W. Frazier

A comedy by George Frazier, presumably
about the complex relationship between a man and his motorcycle.

 

Blue Highways

by William Least Heat-Moon

One of the classic American travel books.

 

Jupiter’s Travels, Four Years Around the World on a Triumph


by Ted Simon

Book about MC travel in the late 70’s. He was 47 at the
time.
http://www.jupitalia.com/

 

Dreaming of Jupiter: In Search of the World–Thirty Years On

by Ted Simon

Second world trip on a motorcycle by Ted
Simon started in 2001 when he was 70 years old.

 

Motoraid


by Keith Thye

A book about MC travel "back in the day" A couple of young men who
really did not know what they were up against go from Lake Oswego to
Chile in 1963. I liked this one.
 

 

Obsessions Die Hard: Motorcycling the Pan American Highway’s
Jungle Gap


by Ed Culberson

A book about obsession, and determination.

 

One Man Caravan


by Robert E. Fulton Jr.

One of my favorite books ever. This guy was not a motorcyclist, yet he
took a trip around the world on a motorcycle when no one else was doing
it. 

About an 18 month journey that began in 1932 that went through Turkey,
Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, India, Sumatra, Malaysia, Siam, Indonesia,
China and Japan.

 

Riding The Ice: A 13,000 Mile Record Setting Motorcycle Adventure


by Dave Barr and Susan Barr

A double amputee, Dave Barr rides across Siberia. IN THE WINTER. The writing is a bit course and unedited, but that adds to the allure.
Again, one of my favorites. A great guy.

 

Riding the World

by Gregory Frazier

Have not read this, but it’s by Dr. F. Gotta be good

 

10 Years on 2 Wheels: 77 Countries, 250,000 Miles


by Helge Pedersen

I have not read this, too expensive, but it is supposed to be great as
far as pictures go

 

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance


by Robert M. Pirsig

Not much about motorcycles. Not much about Zen. But a classic none the
less.

 

Travels with Charley in Search of America


by John Steinbeck

Another classic.

Filed under: Motorcycle Travel

About the Author:

I am the founder and editor of Vagabond Journey. I’ve been traveling the world since 1999, through 91 countries. I am the author of the book, Ghost Cities of China and have written for The Guardian, Forbes, Bloomberg, The Diplomat, the South China Morning Post, and other publications. has written 3699 posts on Vagabond Journey. Contact the author.

Support VBJ’s writing on this blog:

VBJ is currently in: New York City

8 comments… add one

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  • Tyler Yandow November 30, 2009, 8:28 pm

    For anyone interested in serious motorcycle adventure travel I suggest following the ongoing tales of Simon and Lisa Thomas. This couple has been riding around the world for about six years and are still going. They have a great web site at: http://www.2ridetheworld.com. I heard them speak in New Hampshire a little more than a year ago while they were touring the U.S. It was an afternoon I will never forget. They are talented story tellers and take breathtaking photographs.

    You can also post on my new motorcycle blog, http://www.tyleryandowmotorcycleworld.wordpress.com.

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  • Alexander Hall May 19, 2010, 9:48 pm

    it is really great to become a motorcycle lover, i collect different moyorcycles from different countries.;”;

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  • Amina May 31, 2010, 6:29 pm

    Well Bob I personally liked your rant, the “how to” often leaves me confused and wondering how to put it all together in a picture in my mind. Your “rant” gave me the framework and now I can go to the how to with much more confidence.

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  • Pine Wardrobe  October 13, 2010, 1:16 am

    i like to ride on fast motorcycles like the Ducati or even the fast bikes of Honda,-*

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  • Simon Coleman December 1, 2010, 12:13 am

    Oh I adore motorcycles and I do wish I had the courage to take my vacations by bike! I am afraid though that I am limited to just my scooter to travel in my local area. Oh well, it is better than a push bike.

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    • Wade | VagabondJourney.com December 1, 2010, 10:05 am

      It is possible to drive that scooter a long way. Have a friend who traveled from the east of Turkey all the way through Iran and back on a moto scooter.

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  • Lan Tester December 20, 2010, 11:54 am

    me and my dad always love to ride motorcycles, we also have a motorcycle shop at home ‘-:

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