The Northwest Rider

Malcom Smith, the accomplished trials and baja champion, provides the forward to this book and praises the author, Carl Adams, for the quality and abundance of the books contents.  Carl, in turn, acknowledges the book’s many contributors, including the Dust Devils Motorcycle Club of Reno Nevada, who’s curriculum this book is based on.  He also notes that his royalties for authoring this title are being donated to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

The book is divided into 4 logical sections.  The first of these sections addresses motorcycle selection, beginning with a good description of the general categories of makes and models available, continuing with ideas to help you define your dual-sport needs in detail and finishing by providing tips, once you’ve selected the most appropriate bike for your riding intent, with advice on purchasing new or used.  All of the information presented in this book is supported with high quality photographs and stories of personal experience that you will find parallels your own, making the author very easy to relate to.

The second section covers riding gear and motorcycle setup, beginning with the proper clothing and accessories to assure comfort and safety on and off road.  As you are gearing up to ride you will find this information helpful, as it describes a wide range of equipment to fit individual budgets as well as varying terrains and riding styles.  This section also includes great technical information on the adjustments you can make to your motorcycle.  From seat height to handlebar orientation to suspension adjustment and everything in between, you will learn, as I did, not only what can be adjusted to get the most out of your ride, but exactly how and in what sequence to do so.  Impressive is the author’s willingness to get as deep into the engine as the reader is willing to go.  Along with a wide spectrum of ways that you can optimize your engine’s performance is an excellent explanation of the ‘jetting process’, the adjustment of one’s carburator to assure the proper mixture and flow of fuel and air into and through your motorcycle’s engine.  Jetting is a term that I had heard and used many times but never fully understood until reading this book.  Heavier accessories are covered in this section as well, including crash bars and plates, custom seats and options and techniques for mounting touring luggage to your bike.  A range of tire styles are discussed in adequate detail.  There is an entire chapter dedicated in section two to (highly detailed) tuning techniques for front and back suspensions to assure the perfect ride under varyious conditions.  Though I found the text and accompanying photos and diagrams fascinating, from the coverage I was able to conclude that the factory settings would be adequate to suit my riding style and frequency and that, should I feel the urge to make subtle adjustments, I would do so in the presence of a trained professional.

Section three transcends the motorcycle and focuses momentarily on the importance of the rider in mind, body and spirit, assuring that your next ride will be safe and gratifying.  Mental attitude, vision, and concentration are among the concepts described in detail here before the author launches into essential riding techniques, providing specific and well structured ‘drills’ that you can practice during your next ride to reinforce what you have learned from the text. These chapters successfully describe the importance of the mind/body connection with your motorcycle and with the trail ahead.  Intermediate and expert riders will be satisfied by the advanced techniques described in the chapter that follows.  This books will become a true ‘field reference,’ one that will ride along in many backpacks as developing riders peruse the advanced technical drills described here just prior to trying them out under real world conditions.  Equally valuable on the trail will be the chapter on maintenance and repair, which is geared more toward the essential skill of fixing your bike under less than ideal conditions.  Pre ride inspection is covered in detail, as are the most common field repairs.  There is an excellent description in this chapter of the recommended tools and techniques for removing and replacing a flat tire and enough general information provided for the assortment of other mechanical issues you’ll encounter to convince you that a) you are fully prepared to ride or b) you are overdue for a professional tune-up and complete once-over by a certified mechanic.

Reading the final section felt like ‘coasting’ compared to the detailed technical information of the preceeding sections.  Section four is titled “Increasing your Enjoyment” and is about the people, clubs, events and activities that make dual-sport riding so much fun.  Within these chapters are described ways to get involved in the sport to whatever depth you desire from riding, to land advocacy to trail maintenance and construction.  The basics of analog and digital navigation are covered.  Excellent resources are provided on this topic for those who wish to learn more.  The author concludes the chapter (and the book) with a comprehensive guide to trip planning and preparation for extended dual sport tours.

After reading this book cover to cover, it resides on my reference shelf with my other favorites.  It is an excellent book, organized logically, written clearly and containing more information that I could absorb on my first read through.  I am confident that it will be useful time and time again this summer and for years to come as I plan and prepare for my upcoming rides.  If you have found this review helpful and are intersted in purchasing “The Essentail Guide to Dual Sport Motorcycling,” visit the “Books” section of the Northwest Rider Store to check pricing and to place your order.