Despite being one of the most successful motorcycles of all time, the Royal Enfield Bullet has had a very chequered history. Its story begins in the 1930s and by the 1950s it was at the height of its popularity in post-War Britain. Then it became a stalwart of the Indian Army and manufacture transitioned from Britain to India. The near-collapse of the Royal Enfield marque in the 1990s almost meant the end of this classic motorbike, but with the involvement of the Eicher Group from 2001 onw...

The BSA unit singles - 250, 350, 441 and finally 500cc - may not have been the most glamorous product of the British motorcycle industry, but they were the 'first bikes' for thousands of learner riders and had a great track record in scrambling and motocross.Today, they offer a simple and affordable entry into the world of British classic machines, with a whole range of sizes. Spares are still available, as is friendly and knowledgeable fellow owners.Following the tried-and-t...

This step-by-step guide is packed full of information and tells you all you need to know about caring for your bicycle. It covers everything from the basics of why maintenance matters and which tools you should use, to vital safety checks and more advanced maintenance tasks, even the fitting of accessories. Advice on how to adjust your bike to fit you, how to clean it efficiently, and how to keep it running in top condition, lets you get more enjoyment from your bicycle for longer, more sa...

Buying your first motorcycle can be a daunting and complicated process - from passing the theory and practical tests, to choosing a bike and keeping it (and yourself) safe. This book has the answers you need, taking the first-time biker through the whole experience, from deciding to ride, to how to get the most out of your bike. Through friendly, clear, and jargon-free text, it explains every step of this journey: the pros and cons of biking; what type of bike might suit you best; what you...

No longer the simple machines they used to be, the modern motorcycle is as complex and diverse as the modern car. In an ever more competitive market, manufacturers are looking for new solutions to old problems - what's the most efficient transmission? How can emissions and fuel consumption be cut without affecting power? And how can new models be differentiated from one another? This book explains how the modern motorcycle works, in a straightforward style that's jargon-free and easy to re...

An electric bicycle is, quite simply, a normal bicycle with an added battery and electric motor that just about doubles your pedal power - able to waft up hills and into headwinds, they take the sweat out of cycling, and give you supercharged legs!How long does the battery last? Are they expensive to run? Do you need a licence and insurance?This book is a complete buyer's guide to electric bicycles, and it answers all of these questions and more. Outlining the advantages (and...

Many words have been written about the Honda FireBlade, about its history, performance, lineage and specification, but few tell you what to look for when buying one second-hand. That's what this book is about - it aims to be a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used Fireblade. It won't list all the correct colour combinations for each year, or analyse the bike's design philosophy, or consider its background as a standard-setting sports bike - there are excellent books listed at t...

The 3-cylinder Triumph Trident and BSA Rocket 3 were developed to compete with Honda's forthcoming 750cc motorcycle. Initially they did not compare well – although very fast, they lacked sophistication and their quirky styling was offputting – and the decision was made to suspend production. This was not the most auspicious start, but a fightback was initiated and in 1971 the factory race team had a triumphant year including placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd at the Daytona 200. With over 250 photog...

There are lots of books about Harleys, about their history, performance, lineage and the minutae of their specification, but none of them will tell you what to look for when buying one second-hand. That's what this book is about - it aims to be a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used Harley-Davidson. It won't list all the correct colour combinations for each year, or analyse the bike's design philosophy, or consider its background as a cultural icon - there are excellent books ...

Many words have been written about the Honda CBR600 (or the Hurricane, as it was named in the USA), about its history, performance, lineage and specification, but few tell you what to look for when buying one second-hand. That's what this book is about - it aims at being a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used CBR600. It won't list all the correct colour combinations for each year, or analyse the bike's design philosophy, or consider its background as a standard-setting sports ...

A simple, straightforward guide to buying your first electric car. Why go electric now when other fuels are still widely available? What are the pros and cons? How do I charge it? What public or private charge point options are there? Are electric cars really greener than petrol/diesel cars? How do electric cars work? All this and more is explained with a minimum of jargon and tech speak. With a look at electric motorcycles, classic cars, records and racers, this handy guide is a must-read...

Most of the many available books about Triumph motorcycles concentrate on the bigger Bonneville and Trident ranges. Yet alongside these headline-grabbing bikes, Triumph also built a series of smaller 350 and 500cc machines that possessed all the style of their bigger brothers, but were lighter in weight, easier to ride, and now cheaper to buy, too. This straightforward, practical Essential Buyer's Guide contains all the advice you need on buying one of these classic motorcycles, from the e...