One of the things I love about motorcycling is that it's an ongoing learning experience. I don't think I will ever stop learning about riding nor would I want to stop doing so. Even as much of a know-it-all I can seem like at times, I'm the first to admit I don't know everything about motorcycle riding, not even close. In fact before I purchased my first motorcycle I knew nothing about motorcycles. I had ridden my friend's mini bike (powered by a lawn mower engine no less) a few times when I was about 12 but that was about it for my motorized two wheel experience. Needless to say this “vehicle” really didn't prepare me for what a street bike would be like some 12 years later.

So what to do? This was 1994 and the internet was in its infancy. There was no webBikeWorld.com, no svrider.com, not even a Nashvilleriders.com. I did have had some friends explain to me about counter steering and to look where you wanted to go. From magazines I gleaned some of the terminology and the basics of how the foot operated transmission worked. Other than these resources it was just trial by fire.

Fast forward to 2007 and I was looking to buy a bike again after nearly 10 years of not riding ( the gap in my riding is a short boring story) . This time I was going to do it right and I signed up for an MSF course which I should have done many years earlier. There was also the internet, with a site (webBikeWorld.com) that provided riders with reviews on gear, bikes, and among other things books! One book stood out in particular as I clicked through the various reviews. The book was Total Control – High Performance Street Riding Techniques by Lee Parks and I cannot recommend this book highly enough, though I’m about to try.

Here’s a little info on Lee that I stole borrowed from his web site.

“Lee Parks has been racing for 25 years and won the 2001 G.M.D. Computrack National Endurance Series Championship in the Lightweight class. He also finished 2nd in the 1994 AMA 125GP national championship in its exhibition year. He spent five years as the editor and chief test rider of Motorcycle Consumer News where he road tested every new street motorcycle available in the U.S. and became one of the top performance-testing journalists in the world. Lee's staff of personally trained instructors is located all over the U.S. and Europe and brings with them an impressive list of riding and teaching credentials. Lee is now the president of Lee Parks Design, a motorcycle gear and accessory manufacturer.”

Total Control – High Performance Street Riding Techniques (referred to as Total Control from here on for the sake of my sanity) is broken into five main sections; Chassis Dynamics, Mental Dynamics, Body Dynamics. Machine Setup, and Rider Setup. Now this may seem like a lot of ground to cover in a 192 page book, much less one that includes lots of color photos and illustrations, but Lee and his editors got it right on this one.

The Chassis Dynamics section covers traction, steering and suspension with a dedicated chapter on each topic. The level of information provided is well balanced between technical and ease of understanding and should be an easy read for new as well as experienced riders.

In Mental Dynamics, the author discusses fear and attitude as well as concentration. I was surprised how this quickly became my favorite section of Total Control since I am partial to more technical information. If you find yourself considering glossing over this portion of the book stop and dig into it. You’ll be glad you did.

Moving on to the largest section of the book, Body Dynamics is where the action is. I feel that the previous section is necessary to help get your brain ready for this one. Lee will be directing you to start doing some things a bit differently than perhaps you have been. Some may be correcting bad habits but in many cases it is simply subtle changes to techniques he has tested and found can improve one’s riding. In fact there is even a section about riding two-up that benefits both the rider and passenger greatly as Carmen and I will attest to.

This section also includes diagrams for practicing what is being discussed including techniques for braking, throttle control and turning. These are some of the same exercises that are used in the Total Control classes (see sidebar below) and if you have access to a safe area to practice them I highly recommend it.

The Machine Setup section covers areas such as suspension setup and the ergonomics of your bike. While there are entire books out there dedicated to suspension setup, Total control does a good job of getting you the important info needed in just a few pages. Topics of aerodynamics and chassis tuning are also covered in this section.

The last section is Rider Setup which not only covers the physical fitness and riding gear for the rider but also discusses prepping for track days. This last section on track days talks about prepping the bike as well as the rider and covers the basics like safety wiring and taping up lights and turn signals.

What’s amazing about Total Control is how much information is presented in such an easy to read format. Lee’s style of writing and sense of humor helps makes Total Control a fun and interesting read. It’s one of the few books I own that I will regularly pick back up and read again or at least review a chapter or two.

Do I sound biased? You bet! I am a true believer in rider education and my own experience with Lee's book and his riding clinics have convinced me that Total Control  is one of the best investments you can make if you want to improve your riding ability. Don't take my word for it though, get your own copy and see for yourself. You can find Total Control – High Performance Street Riding Techniques at most of the major bookstores as well as our own Amazon store.

Keep the shiny side up!
-Brandon