The Perfect Vehicle: What It Is About Motorcycles explores why motorcycles inspire such intense devotion and fascination. Drawing on a decade of riding across the United States and Europe, the author examines the deep emotional ties riders form with their machines and the unique culture that grows around them.
The book looks beyond stereotypes about danger and outlaw bikers to reveal a diverse community of enthusiasts. It traces the origins of the motorcycle, the attraction of high-risk racing, and the often-overlooked history of women riders. Along the way, vivid social and historical portraits show how motorcycling channels a powerful sense of identity, freedom, and belonging.
Interwoven with these broader reflections is a personal narrative that challenges assumptions about who rides and why. Rather than a technical manual or a simple defence of the pastime, this is an insightful meditation on passion, ritual, and the human need for connection through shared experience.
Inside this book
- History and evolution of motorcycles and riding culture
- Myths and realities of risk, danger, and biker identity
- Stories of women motorcyclists past and present
- Perspectives on racing, speed, and defying limits
- A thoughtful portrait of everyday riders and their devotion
