BOOKS FOR WHEN YOU’RE NOT RIDING
Unfortunately, most of us can not be riding ALL the time.
However, there are a lot of MOTORCYCLE BOOKS that may offer somewhat of a proxy for that motorbike fix.
There are lots of books on the history of motorbikes, or the history of certain categories of motorcycles. There’s books on motorcycle manufacturers, or repair manuals, restoration manuals, books on motorcycle racing, touring, camping, dirt-bike riding, etc. There’s books on customizing bikes and books on bikes from specific countries. In short, if you can think …

CRUISERS – THE ICONIC MOTORCYCLE
Ask any non-biker to picture a motorcycle in their mind, and the chances are the category of motorbike they will imagine is a “Cruiser.”
However, once a rider becomes initiated into the world of motorbikes and is aware of the differences, when you ask that person to imagine a motorcycle, they would envision the style that most satisfies their personal vision of what a motorcycle should do or be. 
Hence, such a rider may or may not picture a cruiser.
WHY CRUISERS?
So why would non-riders picture a cruiser?
Cruisers …

“CUTE” BIKES WITH A KICK
Scooters are an interesting breed of motorbikes. They are a popular form of transportation in Europe and a dominant type of transportation in Asia. Although they’ve been around in America for a long time, they’ve only come into their own in recent years with escalating fuel prices.
And nowadays, with the advent of larger scooter engines, those “cute” little bikes can really get one where he/she wants to go – with not only a bigger power kick than ever before, but with a greater economic …

IN SPITE OF ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF MOTORBIKES…
Motorcycles.  They do provide a certain amount of economy.  Better miles per gallon being the most understood one. Other advantages include being able to readily find parking spots.  And in over a dozen countries around the world (only California in the USA), you can ride between cars in all kinds of jammed traffic ( “lane splitting”) to get you to your destination sooner than our four-wheeled counterparts.  They are also less expensive to insure.
But, at least for riders in America, I don’t believe …

DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT A NEW RIDER’S FIRST BIKE
Want to see an argument?
Ask a rider what they recommend as the best “first” motorcycle for a newbie.  And then ask me.
I have the disadvantage of being an opinionated older rider and have seen motorbikes evolve through many marketing and manufacturing generations.  And things sure ain’t the way they used to be.
What we used to consider a “BIG” motorcycle in the 70’s is now a midweight.
Back then, many riders started their motorcycle experience out on small bikes.  And I’m talking about bikes that are …