Price: $61.10
In 1952, esteemed publisher Floyd Clymer introduced the world to the first of a two-volume series of motorcycle road test compendiums, originally published in the respected UK magazine, Motor Cycle. As one might anticipate, these comprehensive road tests primarily spotlighted motorcycles manufactured in the UK and European models distributed within the UK. This seminal 1952 publication was succeeded by a second volume in 1954, which expanded the scope to feature road tests of scooters, three wheelers, and cyclemotors.
This single, consolidated edition combines the wealth of information from both the 1952 and 1954 books. Spanning 120 pages and boasting 226 illustrative images, it provides specifications and performance information for each model tested. The book covers 49 Motorcycle, 2 Scooter, 2 Three Wheeler, and 7 Cyclemotor road tests.
At the time these books were published, they garnered minimal attention from US motorcycle enthusiasts, as Harley Davidson and Indian were then the preferred brands. The presence of UK machines in the US market was minimal, and the influx of Japanese imports was yet to come. However, many of the motorcycles tested in these books are highly sought after by collectors today. These independent road tests, conducted during the models’ initial launch period, offer invaluable insights into the advantages and drawbacks of each model, and provide a unique comparative perspective against their competitors.
The front cover of this book provides an exhaustive list of the machines featured in the individual road tests. For your convenience, here are the manufacturers included:
MOTORCYCLES: Ariel, Bown, B.S.A., D.M.W., Dot, Excelsior, Francis-Barnett, Greeves, Indian (Brave), James, Norman, Norton, Royal Enfield, Sunbeam, Tandon, Triumph, Velocette & Vincent.
SCOOTERS: Vespa & Lambretta.
3 WHEELERS: Bond & Reliant