Performance Riding Techniques: The MotoGP Manual of Track Riding Skills Hardcover – December 1, 2009

Performance Riding Techniques: The MotoGP manual of track riding skills 2nd editionI was pleasantly surprised by this book. Looking at the page count, I assumed it was going to be a picture book with minimal information. Instead, there were lots of excellent photographs with a plethora of information. The text is small, so the page count is misleading. A lot of MotoGP heroes are frequently mentioned, mainly Valentino Rossi. Their techniques and commentary are incorporated in a constructive manner rather than show you what is the "correct" way. For example, Ibbott discusses counter-steering and a lot of MotoGP riders gave different versions of what they thought was counter-steering.I normally write and highlight in all of my books, but Performance Riding Techniques was bound in a hardcover format with lots of good photographs. I just couldn't write and scribble all over the pages because they looked too good. Instead I used post-its and page flags to indicate important stuff. This book would be an excellent coffee table book, but does have useful information. However, I disagree with many reviewers and feel Performance Riding Techniques is NOT a replacement for other books by Keith Code, David Hough, Lee Parks, or Nick Ienatsch. Performance Riding Techniques does cover some of the fundamentals, but lacks a lot of the detailed strategies covered by Code or Parks, and is certainly not as useful to the beginner as Hough's books.Ibbott, as a trainer, recognizes how the racers approach the mechanics of riding differently. Some of the riders use more of the rear brake while others don't use them at all. Ibbott also points out that upper body strength isn't nearly as important as working the lower body and legs and supplements this with commentary on how Rossi and other racers grip the tank and use the footpegs versus applying all their weight on the handle bars. Ibbott's description of the "vanishing point" was also very useful. Usually authors and trainers will tell you to "look through the turn" or "look where you want to go", but the "vanishing point" or point where the outside and inside lines merge together, is both descriptive and intuitive.Ibbott's coverage of body armor and protective gear is excellent. He said that back protectors should be required, and I agree with this because of how much protection a rider needs to account for multiple hazards and variables on the street and track. A lot of back protectors are neither CE approved nor hard. A piece of foam is usually all that is included in a riding jacket (with CE approved elbow and shoulder pads). Yet, vendors like Knox offer CE approved back protector inserts for a mere pittance and jacket manufacturers don't bother with using these inserts from the get-go.The book was very informative and a joy to read. I would say that it complements other riding books very well, but is hardly a comprehensive or definitive guide. In fact, Ibbott references Keith Code numerous times. I found Ibbott's writing to be easier to understand than Twist of the Wrist 1 and 2. The color photographs with modern MotoGP information was very useful as well. The only "negative" aspect of this book is that it looks too pretty so I do not want to write any notes on the pages!Quite a large quantity of the riding techniques are found in other riding books, but the extra tips and advice from MotoGP riders can help on the track.Overall: 5/5 stars

This is exactly the book I was looking for being a track day rider and wanting a more in depth review of all the techniques used to get around a racetrack fast. Unlike some of the other classic riding books like twist of the wrist 2 and total control this book does not try to also appeal to street riders. It even has sections on race overtaking, crashing, using different lines for different situations and psychological tactics for gaining the edge in racing.For the most part at a good track day classroom you will get most of this taught to you and or pick it up from other riders and you need to practice the techniques to get fast. There is some brief discussion of reference points and vision, where as track days and racing alike will put more importance on these. Probably because it's a really simple idea that is very important in specific application on the track you are on. There's not a lot to say about the subject, but its probably the most important factor once you have good riding technique and bike setup to consistency and increasing speed.

This is not a riding techinique book to help you get better. This book describes why an amazing rider like Ben Spies is not half of what Rossi is. It is written in a way that breaks down each aspect of racing these machines at such a competitive level so the reader can recognize what incredibly focused individuals are out there developing what we'll be riding in the next 10 years. It's impressive and gives the reader a very behind-the-scenes look at MotoGP riders and machines. I enjoyed the read since it broke up the monotony of all the instructive books I've been reading lately. It also made watching MotoGP more entertaining.

A very ease book to read with great quality photos of top MotoGP riders used to illustrate the riding techniques being discussed. The techniques themselves are easy to understand but don't go into fine levels of detail.If you want a basic understanding of the techniques and some great illustrations you will love this book.If you are looking for a detailed breakdown and analysis of techniques including the physics behind the motorcycle's behaviour then Keith Code's "A Twist of the Wrist 2" will give you what you want.

This book has a lot of useful information from actual MotoGP riders. Information that's you can definitely use to improve your riding on the track.

i thought this book would give a real insight in driving a motorcycle but that is not anywhere near reality. a lot of vague information, no real techniques or practical applications. and for a book oriented in track driving and racing there is nothing really useful to read. better watch videos on the web. even the part that says how to tune the suspensions says nothing more than tune and drive, tune again and drive again and on and on until you are satisfied with the result.as far as all the quotes from moto gp drivers its the same thing, just like a paddock interview a lot of words and no real help.wish i had my 30$ back and go to the movies instead.

Excellent book. Great sequel to "Twist" by Keith Code. Riding fast is all about braking (to set the corner entry speed) and corner exit speed, and this book lays out the groundwork! Great photographs of riders currently active in the MotoGP scene. A must read for track or race aficianados.

It's one of the best books on motorcycle riding i've ever read. The greatest quality it has is to be the least dogmatic book on the subject: it shows us that there are many different ways to ride properly.And the quality of the photos, cover, pages and finishing is SUPERB!

Quite pricey but an excellent book. A book to accompany Twist of the wrist 1 and 2 as its also written by the man Andy Ibbot who was the UK leading man in California superbike school and Motogp track coach .I can't wait to obtain the next two editions.

Whatever your experience this a good read for both the experienced and novice rider.

I found this book much better and easier to read than the ancient twist of the wrist books.Helped my track riding a fair bit.

A+