Motorcycle Racer Autobiography’s
Discussion
Like many Motorcycle Race Enthusiasts, I have read probably all of the Motorcycle Racer Autobiography’s.
They range from the Downright Disappointing, Below Average, Acceptable, Good, Very Good to Absolute Brilliance.
IMHO I’d rate Joey Dunlop, Michael Dunlop, Carl Fogarty, Steve Hislop and Casey Stoner (probably a few more to) as being Good, James Whitham as Very Good with Alan Carter and John Hopkins being Absolutely Brilliant.
I’ve just finished the John Hopkins one (that I’d been saving for my holiday) and I never thought a Motorcycle Racer Autobiography would be up there with Alan Carter’s Light in the Darkness. Well done to John Hopkins and Matt Roberts. A brilliant read.
They range from the Downright Disappointing, Below Average, Acceptable, Good, Very Good to Absolute Brilliance.
IMHO I’d rate Joey Dunlop, Michael Dunlop, Carl Fogarty, Steve Hislop and Casey Stoner (probably a few more to) as being Good, James Whitham as Very Good with Alan Carter and John Hopkins being Absolutely Brilliant.
I’ve just finished the John Hopkins one (that I’d been saving for my holiday) and I never thought a Motorcycle Racer Autobiography would be up there with Alan Carter’s Light in the Darkness. Well done to John Hopkins and Matt Roberts. A brilliant read.
Many years now but the Mick Doohan autobiography was great. Can't recall the name of it now, but it goes through his whole career, near loss of leg, etc.
There's a chapter called something like "the tales of a lowsome tow truck". Where he recalls about being tailed until someone could do a last couple of laps bansai overtake. He then talks about the way to beat hangers on was f
k them up in the first lap "and that's when I perfected the front end slide on cold tyres".
How you perfect front end sliding on cold tyres to me is impossible, but I'm not much of a biker these days (since a severe accident many years ago) and never raced, but if my front end ever slid, I'd probably get off and phone my Nan for help...
There's a chapter called something like "the tales of a lowsome tow truck". Where he recalls about being tailed until someone could do a last couple of laps bansai overtake. He then talks about the way to beat hangers on was f
k them up in the first lap "and that's when I perfected the front end slide on cold tyres".How you perfect front end sliding on cold tyres to me is impossible, but I'm not much of a biker these days (since a severe accident many years ago) and never raced, but if my front end ever slid, I'd probably get off and phone my Nan for help...
Legmaster said:
Many years now but the Mick Doohan autobiography was great. Can't recall the name of it now, but it goes through his whole career, near loss of leg, etc.
There's a chapter called something like "the tales of a lowsome tow truck". Where he recalls about being tailed until someone could do a last couple of laps bansai overtake. He then talks about the way to beat hangers on was fk them up in the first lap "and that's when I perfected the front end slide on cold tyres".
How you perfect front end sliding on cold tyres to me is impossible, but I'm not much of a biker these days (since a severe accident many years ago) and never raced, but if my front end ever slid, I'd probably get off and phone my Nan for help...
Same as Peter Hickman saying the way to go fast at the TT is to slide the back tyre. There's a chapter called something like "the tales of a lowsome tow truck". Where he recalls about being tailed until someone could do a last couple of laps bansai overtake. He then talks about the way to beat hangers on was f
k them up in the first lap "and that's when I perfected the front end slide on cold tyres".How you perfect front end sliding on cold tyres to me is impossible, but I'm not much of a biker these days (since a severe accident many years ago) and never raced, but if my front end ever slid, I'd probably get off and phone my Nan for help...
mummy! He's mad mummy
Farky said:
Ive read them all i think apart from Rutter’s, off to see where i can purchase 
Guy Martin’s escapades are also a good Read
To be honest I should really have included Michael Rutter and Guy Martin in the Good Category as they are both really good reads. Guy Martin’s escapades are also a good Read
I haven’t read Mick Doohan’s and clearly I need to.
John Hopkins though. Absolutely brilliant. What a Guy.
Fundoreen said:
If Whithams got one out its probably a good read if its his own words and not ghost written by some journo.
You can spot those ones. Just page after page of sycophantic ste.
'A right good do' is Jim Whithams' book iirc, it's one of the better ones out there. He calls himself 'dYou can spot those ones. Just page after page of sycophantic s
te. head Whitham' a few times, like complaning that his leathers didn't fit properly until his mechanic pointed out he'd forgotten to remove the coat hanger...No mention of Steve Parrish's "My life as a racer"? Absolutely brilliant, had me in fits on many an evening and obviously mentions Sheene a lot, which is great. By comparison Foggie's irritated me and I wasn't that struck on the Guy Martin book I have.
Thanks for the headsup on Hoppers book, it sounds interesting.
Thanks for the headsup on Hoppers book, it sounds interesting.
hiccy18 said:
No mention of Steve Parrish's "My life as a racer"? Absolutely brilliant, had me in fits on many an evening and obviously mentions Sheene a lot, which is great. By comparison Foggie's irritated me and I wasn't that struck on the Guy Martin book I have.
Thanks for the headsup on Hoppers book, it sounds interesting.
See, Stavros's book bored me and I didn't get passed about the half way mark. It's not an autobiography as such more of a collection of silly/outrageous stories that to begin with is funny bit wears a bit thin after a while. For me Whitham's and Hopper's were the best reads.Thanks for the headsup on Hoppers book, it sounds interesting.
LukeBrown66 said:
Amazed noone has mentioned either of the Kenny Roberts ones or wayne Rainey's, an insight into alien territory!! Never happy even after winning titles.
I forgot about them. The Wayne Rainey one is excellent and I gave my copy to someone outside of motorcycling who had recently suffered life changing injuries. Whilst I know Kenny Roberts wrote a book in the late 80’s, I’ve never managed to get hold of a copy.
Marquezs Stabilisers said:
Most of them have little appeal, but I did buy McGuinness' one and that was a good read. I haven't seen Whitham's one but again I think that would be an interesting read. I think I read one of Guy Martin's books a long time back but I must admit I can't really remember it!
Your right John McGuinness’ book was a good read, interesting and very honest. I would try and get hold of Whitham’s one. Whilst IMHO not up there with JH and AC, it’s a great read. One thing that 
shocked me about his book was the number of crashes the poor bloke suffered 
Anyone read Shakeys one? Any good?
I've got a few and the one that surprised me most was Michael Dunlops - it was a lot better than I was expecting!
Off sailing for a week in Croatia at the start of September so will get Whit's and possibly shakeys ones as something to read whilst having a G&T
I've got a few and the one that surprised me most was Michael Dunlops - it was a lot better than I was expecting!
Off sailing for a week in Croatia at the start of September so will get Whit's and possibly shakeys ones as something to read whilst having a G&T
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