Amazon.com description: Product Description: The Encyclopedia of Motorcycles encapsulates the whole world of the motorcycle in a single volume, from myth-and-legend to nuts-and-bolts. It provides the perfect introduction for the new enthusiast and an invaluable reference tool and source book for the most experienced riders, historians and collectors. In the first section, The World of Motorcycling, we see the evolution of the motorcycle from its first development by Daimler in 1885 to the Japanese superbikes of the 1990s. Landmarks in engineering and design are recorded through archive illustrations and contemporary documentation, and placed in their social and historical context.

Special features cover types of motorcycle and engine, technology, sport and racing, record breaking through the years, touring, motorbikes in popular culture and more. The second section, The A-Z Motorcycles, is a definitive marque-by-marque encyclopedia of makes and makers, both existing and defunct. Every major marque is illustrated with photographs, showing the beauty and originality of each machine. This unique photographic collection is augmented by a comprehensive text, detailing key elements of design, technical specifications and performance features.