Motorcycle roadcraft: the police rider's handbook

This edition of Roadcraft is so much up to date with a modern approach, covering all aspects of how to prepare for the road, starting with our self and our state of mind, our reason for our journey, the type of weather to contend with and the hazards presented to us by the traffic and other road users. Fully explains the use of the System of Motorcycle Control and how to use it for everyday situations. How to deal with everything that we will encounter, we as a vulnerable road user, will need, to stay safe on the public highway as we negotiate the numerous Mr SMIDSY’s who are out there to get us. This book is full of excellent colour diagrams and explanations on how to deal with almost every situation that presents a hazard to us. Interesting chapters, apart from the system, include; tyre grip trade off, perfecting acceleration sense, limit points and great cornering techniques, and assessing a brisk but safe overtake. As well as understanding the characteristics of your machine. By studying the content of this book, you will learn how to become a thinking rider, how to improve forward observation, to ride defensively, to observe, assess, and plan a systematic approach to each and every hazard. Once you have mastered the system it will become your natural way of riding a motorcycle, a skill that you take from bike to bike for the rest of your riding life. For those of you who wish to add to your skill level and further enhance your motorcycling experience this is the book for you. It will one day help to save you from a disaster with a Mr SMIDSY.

Makes interesting reading

Had an old copy, but ought this to refresh on any updates prior to doing advanced rider test. Passed assessment so happy with content value.

Good description and diagrams and even if you been riding for years acts as a great reminder

I had been meaning to get the updated version for a while but was put off mainly by the rather steep price. In the end, I went for it and enjoyed the first read through. This is probably worth going back to and dipping into areas of interest at some point. As mentioned in a rather negative way by some reviewers, a lot of what you read is 'common sense' but I feel that we often need reminding of what exactly common sense is! The authors are aiming at novice police riders in the main, so possibly need to find a level when pitching some aspects of the subject. However, it is good to have the official guidance in one place in an easily readable format. In truth, it is possibly a little like getting a First Aider manual... only really makes sense when backed up by a professionally presented course. On that basis I will be looking to do some advanced rider training too.

This book’s advice has saved my neck! And its tips and techniques have become the 10 Commandments for anyone who wants to be a little faster and a lot safer. Unlike the 10 Commandments, Motorcycle Roadcraft isn't set in stone: this new edition has a few changes. And these changes are sound. For example, the new version differentiates between braking in bends with cornering ABS versus bikes without this system. Also, the section about brake/gear overlap adds common sense and clarity (compared to the previous edition). Overtaking advice gets minor improvements too. "The System" of Motorcycle Roadcraft results in an unhurried approach to hazards, which is both safer and enables brisk acceleration once clear. While no book's a substitute for advanced training on the road, I still found Motorcycle Roadcraft incredibly helpful as I worked my way through various advanced courses. BMF Blue Riband, IAM Roadsmart and RoSPA riders will benefit from this book, and it's required reading for police motorcyclists. Without Motorcycle Roadcraft, I'd have developed my overtaking skill by 'making it up as you go along'! From overtaking to cornering, the book covers many invaluable techniques. Some practices – such as 3-stage overtaking (a life-saver on rural roads) and when it's safer to straighten bends – are advanced skills. Unfortunately, it buries them under text stating the bleeding obvious (e.g. "Riders are far more exposed in a collision than car drivers are because they don't have a protective shell around them"). The Good Book needs an editor who's ruthless with a red pen, and I pray the next edition is more concise. More people would read it. Also, I'd like to see more about SMIDSYs. 'Right of way violations' have been the Number 1 risk since our forefathers crashed in the 1950s. Motorcycle Roadcraft's advice is sound but only one paragraph – compared to an entire chapter about motorway riding. Kevin William's Science of Being Seen (available from Lulu) makes a far better job of advice to avoid SMIDSYs. It's a worthy addition to the bookshelf alongside Motorcycle Roadcraft. In short, I highly recommend Motorcycle Roadcraft. Sure, skim through the parts that are bleeding obvious, but have faith this book includes many excellent tips. There's a reason why it's the bible for so many of us. Buy the Good Book and have faith you'll be saved (from hellish car drivers) by applying "the System".

I've been riding a motorbike for more than 40 years, this book had quite a few bits of advice and knowledge I've now applied to my riding. Whatever your riding experience this book will have something that will make your ride more enjoyable.

Some sound tips in here especially for us newbies to motorcycling. I'm still practicing positioning and limit points. Lots of good stuff in here.

Exactly as advertised. Useful educational safety information for experienced riders. Techniques are very well described with graphic. Cross-referencing takes a little while to get use to but overall excellent material for conscious riders.

Only buy this book if you actually want to become a more professional rider. I’ve been riding for well over 25 years and I am currently a Motorcycle Officer. The motor training I received at work was invaluable but the training in this book Is absolutely essential. The MSF course is just a drop of water in the ocean of motorcycle skills. Never stop training, and buy this book.

I consider this book compulsory reading & to be fully understood by anyone who throws a leg over. Come back and revise it frequently and remember the day you stop learning is the day you hang up your helmet.

I have the online version however I prefer a hardback so I bought it. If you are serious about riding and safety then it goes without saying you should be referring to this book regularly to improve your riding skills and safety. If you think you knew about riding this book will prove you wrong. Buy it read it stay safe!

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