Riding in the Zone

Riding in the Zone
by Ken Condon

Riding in the Zone
List Price: $29.95
Our Price: $19.32
You Save: $10.63 (35%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $9.49 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


or

Book Summary Information

Author: Ken Condon
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-02-15
ISBN: 1884313760
Number of pages: 144
Publisher: Whitehorse Press

Book Reviews of Riding in the Zone

Book Review: Good Book, Better Video, But Not "Advanced"
Summary: 4 Stars

I received this book earlier in the week and breezed through the content pretty quickly in a couple of evenings. Let me just say that I've been voraciously reading all the motorcycle technique books I can get my hands on including both of David Hough's books and Lee Parks' Total Control.

Ken spends over half the pages of Riding in the Zone on very basic concepts that are already well covered in every other text, including the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) workbook. This was the biggest disappointment to me as the subtitle of the book is "advanced techniques for skillful motorcycling." The second half of the book covers some intermediate topics that are generally covered well in existing books. When getting to the advanced topics, such as suspension setup, Ken simply refers you to other texts.

So why did I give this four stars despite being disappointed with the book? Well, the book has two great things going for it. First, unlike the David Hough books, Ken provides clear exercises for practicing the techniques. That's something I haven't found elsewhere and was the real reason I was excited to get this book. The second and most important reason is that the book comes with a well produced, clear, and relevant DVD that covers the topics. In fact your time would be better spent simply watching the video and practicing the exercises.

In summary, this book should really be subtitled "Basic and Intermediate Techniques." Without the high quality DVD I would give this title three stars. If you're looking for one book that really does cover advanced techniques I'd highly recommend Lee Parks' Total Control. People happiest with this book are likely to be those that just completed the MSF course or those that have never taken it.

Pros:
* Clearly described exercises for learning the techniques
* Very well produced video that covers the key information and exercises from the book

Cons:
* Deceptive subtitle. This is not a book of advanced techniques. For that read Lee Parks' Total Control
* Lack of depth on many topics
* Most of the book focused on basic information already available through beginner books, including the MSF workbook

Summary of Riding in the Zone

Riding motorcycles is fun but Ken Condon maintains there is a state of being beyond the simple pleasure of rolling down the road, this book was written to help other riders find that state of being. It's the experience of being physically and mentally present in the moment, where every sense is sharply attuned to the ride. Your mind becomes silent to the chatter of daily life and everyday problems seem to dissolve, you feel a deeper appreciation for life. Your body responds to this state of being with precise, fluid movements, you feel in balance, your muscles are relaxed, and it seems as though every input you make is an expression of mastery. This is "the Zone." Condon has identified all the factors that affect entering the Zone and addresses each one individually, from the development of awareness and mental skills to mastering physical control of the motorcycle. At the end of each chapter are drills designed to transform the book's ideas into solid riding skills. A companion DVD is included to demonstrate each concept and technique.

Motorcycles Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Motorcycles Books
Motos choppers / Choppers (Horsepower (Caballos de Fuerza)) ImageMotos choppers / Choppers (Horsepower (Caballos de Fuerza))
by Marx, Mandy R.
Capstone Press; Published: 2006-09-01; Library Binding; Book
Best price: $21.67
Price in other shops: $25.99
Hamlyn History of Motorcycles Hb ImageHamlyn History of Motorcycles Hb
by Mick Walker
Hamlyn Octopus; Published: 1997-06-15; Hardcover; Book
Rebuilding the Indian ImageRebuilding the Indian
by Fred HAEFELE
Riverhead Books; Published: 1998; Hardcover; Book
Motorcycle Mania ImageMotorcycle Mania
by Edward Radlauer
Children's Press; Published: 1981-09; Paperback; Book
Minibike Mania (Radlauer Mania Book) ImageMinibike Mania (Radlauer Mania Book)
by Ed Radlauer, Ruth Radlauer
Childrens Pr; Published: 1982-09; School & Library Binding; Book
Price in other shops: $10.60
Early Motorcycles: Construction, Operation and Repair (Dover Books on Transportation) ImageEarly Motorcycles: Construction, Operation and Repair (Dover Books on Transportation)
by Victor W. Page
Dover Publications; Published: 2004-11-04; Paperback; Book
Best price: $16.04
Price in other shops: $29.95
Orange County Choppers: The Tale of the Teutuls ImageOrange County Choppers: The Tale of the Teutuls
by Paul Teutul, Paul M. Teutul, Michael Teutul, Keith and Kent Zimmerman
Grand Central Publishing; Published: 2006-10-18; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops: $29.99
Sunday Rides on Two Wheels: Motorcycling in Southern Wisconsin ImageSunday Rides on Two Wheels: Motorcycling in Southern Wisconsin
by Barbara Barber
University of Wisconsin Press; Published: 2003-02-24; Spiral-bound; Book
Best price: $46.92
Motorcycles: Whirling Wire Wheels. ImageMotorcycles: Whirling Wire Wheels.
by Ed Radlauer
Abelard-Schuman Ltd; Published: 1969-06; Hardcover; Book
Price in other shops: $8.25
Ridin' High, Livin' Free: Hell-Raising Motorcycle Stories ImageRidin' High, Livin' Free: Hell-Raising Motorcycle Stories
by Ralph Sonny Barger
William Morrow Paperbacks; Published: 2003-04-29; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.99
Price in other shops: $13.99
Similar Books and other products
Ride Hard, Ride Smart: Ultimate Street Strategies for Advanced Motorcyclists ImageRide Hard, Ride Smart: Ultimate Street Strategies for Advanced Motorcyclists
by Patrick Hahn
Motorbooks; Published: 2004-05-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.82
Price in other shops: $21.95
More Proficient Motorcycling: Mastering the Ride ImageMore Proficient Motorcycling: Mastering the Ride
by David L. Hough
BowTie Press; Published: 2003-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops: $24.95
Maximum Control: Mastering Your Heavyweight Bike ImageMaximum Control: Mastering Your Heavyweight Bike
by Pat Hahn
Motorbooks; Published: 2010-01-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.40
Price in other shops: $24.99
A Twist of the Wrist II ImageA Twist of the Wrist II
Release date: 2009-10-07; DVD
Best price: $19.95
A Twist of the Wrist 2: The Basics of High-Performance Motorcycle Riding ImageA Twist of the Wrist 2: The Basics of High-Performance Motorcycle Riding
by Keith Code
Code Break; Published: 1993-08-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $11.75
Price in other shops: $19.95
Sport Riding Techniques: How To Develop Real World Skills for Speed, Safety, and Confidence on the Street and Track ImageSport Riding Techniques: How To Develop Real World Skills for Speed, Safety, and Confidence on the Street and Track
by Nick Ienatsch
David Bull Publishing; Published: 2003-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $16.53
Price in other shops: $24.95
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Guide to Motorcycling Excellence: Skills, Knowledge, and Strategies for Riding Right (2nd Edition) ImageThe Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Guide to Motorcycling Excellence: Skills, Knowledge, and Strategies for Riding Right (2nd Edition)
by Motorcycle Safety Foundation
Motorcycle Safety Foundation; Whitehorse Press; Published: 2005-10-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.86
Price in other shops: $24.95
The Upper Half of the Motorcycle: On the Unity of Rider and Machine ImageThe Upper Half of the Motorcycle: On the Unity of Rider and Machine
by Bernt Spiegel
Whitehorse; Published: 2010-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $19.14
Price in other shops: $29.95
Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well ImageProficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well
by David L. Hough
BowTie Press; Published: 2008-04-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.99
Price in other shops: $24.95
Total Control: High Performance Street Riding Techniques ImageTotal Control: High Performance Street Riding Techniques
by Lee Parks
Motorbooks; Published: 2003-07-12; Paperback; Book
Best price: $14.31
Price in other shops: $26.95