Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128180
American Motocross Illustrated By Simon Cudby $39.95 Distributed by Fe Fox RaCing Inc RacIng 1 B400 Sutter' Bouelvar'd Morgan HIli. CA 85037 B6B/FOX-RACE VV'\N"W,foxracing,c;orT) Book Review Superblkes of the Seventies By Roland Brovvn $3985 Published by David BUll Publishing 4250 East Camelback Road SUite K150 Phoenix, AZ 6501 B 802/B52-95oo www.bullpubllshing.com Book Review It you're a fan of Superbikes. especially the bikes that got it all started m tbe 1970s. this book will conjure up many memories for you nostalgic old-timers, while we young whippersnappers are apt to learn a thing or two about modernmotorcycle history. Motorcycle journalist Roland Brown bad the opportunity to sample more than 30 1970s-era Superhikes for his book Superbikes of the Seventies. "The term 'Superbike' is a subjective one." states Brown. "that here was deemed to refer to a roadgoing machme of outstandIng performance - either in a str81ght line or, m the case of some smaller, sporty bikes. on a twisty road." Brown's book features the bikes he selected in chronolOQ1cal order from 1969 through 1979 from almost every lffiagmable manufacturer of the era. He starts off with the Honda CB750, which changed tbe face of motorcycling forever, and finIShes with the 1979 SIX-cylinder Kawasaki Z1300, wluch was at the time the most powerful mass-produced motorcycle ever. All of the bikes in the book belong to pnvate collectors who kindly let Brown throw a leg over them, ride them and give hiS lffipressIODS of the bikes over two decades after their heyday. The book IS illustrated WIth beautiful photography of the bikes in their present state. All of the bikes are ObVIOUSly "runners" and in beautiful cond1tIOn. In add1tion to Brown's riding lffipression, each bike features a list of the anginal specifications and excerpts from road tests from a variety of magazines such as Cycle, Cycle World. Motorcyclist, SuperBike and Bike. In add1tJon, there are illustrations from many of the anginal magazine advertisements for the bikes, as well as many original posters and other pieces of art throughout the book. A couple of the lughlights for me were the 1972 Bimota SB2, M'J Agusta 750 Sport, Laverda 750 SFC, and the beautiful M'J Agusta Magni 850, all of which I'm too young to have drooled over back in the seventies (as is Brown). It you are interested in the '70s era of high-performance street bikes, this book is a must. Blake Conner To me, one of the marks of genius IS the ability to observe somethrng everyone has looked at a rruIbon tunes. but to see It from a new perspective. Photographer Simon Cudby would probably be uncomfortable with the beady term, but suffice it to say that no one else is as adept at seeing - and presenting - the sport of motocross from a unique angle. That much is clearly evident from Cudby's new 177-page coffee-table pictorial book, which is bristling with dramatically lit, techrucally flawless photos, many of which are so unusual that they refresh the enthusiasm of veteran MX fans. A transplanted Englishman with a diverse background (in addition to shooting for Racer X mustrated and TransworJd Motocross magazmes, he has worked in the bicycle industry), Cudby is a true artist. Whether it be a mud-covered fence, a stream of sweat drippillg off Travis Preston's nose, or a "Where's Waldo?" -esque image of Darmy Smith railing a berm against a huge backdrop of Southwick greenery, Cudby finds and captures the details that remind us of what it is we love about mota. Of course there are also plenty of behind-the-scenes peeks and in-yourface action shots, illcluding a previously unseen sequence of rarely mortal Ricky Carmichael executmg a painful, pre-season header on his personal practice track. Preferrillg to let the photos do most of the talkmg, tills book is not heavy on text, but what there IS IS clean and mSightful. The content IS limited to the 2002 U.S. racillg season, and Cudby wisely opted not to go With a chronological approach, mstead choosmg to present his matenal ill a random order that leaves the reader eager to see what surpnses the next page will bnng. American Motocross mustrared will no doubt WIn converts to motocross, but perhaps more Importantly, It will make MX enthusJllSts proud of thelf hobby. Chris Jonnum Motorcycle ~ourneys Through The Alps and Corsica (Third Edition) By ~ohn Hermann Published by WI"tehor'se Press PO. 80x 80 North Conway, NH 03880 Book Review After my recent "Edelweiss Bike Travel" tour through the Alps, I caugbt what author John Hermann calls AlPlrutis. In the front of his tIurd add1tlon of rlus book, there lS a warnmg that reads: "Alpme roads and scenery and culture are know to cause AlplfUtis, a d1sease that creates an almost uncontrollable urge to return. There IS no cure. The only relief is more Alpme nding, whIch results ill remfectlon." I now know exactly what Hermarm is talking about, and have surely been ill1ected. This book is a must for anyone traveling by motorcycle In the Alps. Not only does it provide almost 80 rrip routes WIth detailed information and maps, It mforms the reader of highlights that might otherwISe be IDISsed. The book features full-color photography, maps and graphics, which should cause any motorcychst to crave ridmg in the Alps. The book offers suggestions for accommodations and restaurants on the specific trip routes. There is also a section called "Good Stuff to Know," which has a lot of travel advice from Hermann (AKA "Killg of the Alps"), who has been riding ill the Alps for over 30 years, so save yourself the hassle and at least read his advice. Think of the book as a complete reference source for motorcycle travel in the Alps. At the end of the book is a list of ail 271 passes in the Alps listed in order of elevation; Hermann's favorites are starred, so make sure you check those out. It you are plannipg a trip to the Alps on your own or even with a company like Edelweiss, this book is a must-read. Now all you need to do is conquer all 271 passes, and you'll be one step closer to becomIng an Alp King yourself. 22 NOVEMBER 13, 2.002' cue • • n __ s