 Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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Joined: Sep 2006
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OP
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Has anyone read this book? I'm teaching it as part of a course on American Philosophy this Spring and I'd love some feedback from folks who have been in the saddle longer than me. Was one of my favorite books before I bought a bike and probably influenced that decision. Thanks.
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Re: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,540
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,540 |
I read it before I started riding on the road maybe 5 years ago. Just started rereading it last night. Makes more sense now.
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Re: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I read it 20 years ago and barely remember anything about it.
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Re: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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Joined: Oct 2006
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Adjunct
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That's a wonderful book, only slightly about motorcycles and more about the importance of doing things right. I've got a copy that has, what seemed to me to be signifigant parts, underlined. I'll try to dig it out this evening and post back. SteveB
"I live the life I love and I love the life I live."
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Re: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Also read it many, many years ago and I am currently about half way through a re-read. I find it significant from several perspectives - 1. As XLD said, it relates to doing things correctly. 2. It deals with 'oneness' between man and machine - more precisely, between the human thought process and functionality of inanimate objects. 3. Relates and brings forth many great memories of motorcycling of yesterday - Many of which I'm pleased are just memory. 4. Relates to both the joy and struggle of the journey - both riding motorcycles and life itself.
I get lost in some of the mythology at many points at it sometimes requires a re-read or a wait-and-see to get the point - But then I'm just a poor country boy.
I suppose anyone with a philosophical sense can enjoy it and take something from it, but I suppose being a motorcycle nut makes it a lot less dry and places a bit more meaning to it all.
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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Re: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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Joined: Jan 2005
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I've read the book several times. It's very thought provoking. It has been influential in my approach to life. My original copy was given to me back in college by the guy who first got me interested in motorcycles.
Each time I read it I was at a different stage of my life, and I was comparing the different experiences from those times. I took away something different each time I read it.
Cody
I was born a long ways from where I was supposed to be. - Bob Dylan
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Re: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,254
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jul 2005
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holy sh1te ,now theres a flashback ,zen and the art of mc maint, gotta be 25 years or so since i looked at that book (never finished it )to busy with 3 paper stogies ,shaggin,gettin drunk and sewing my levis (and yes in that order)heh heh ..........must try and read that again,hopefully carlos castanada(sp)doesnt get in the way again 
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Re: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 84
Member
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Member
Joined: Jan 2005
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It is positively the best book I have ever read. I have three copies of it, along with a guide book. I greatly anticipated Pirsig's second book (the title was "Lila"), and it was awful. I read Zen long before I got my first motorcycle, but I was always interested in them, so the title was probably responsible for me reading it the first time. Every opportunity I get, I try to convince other folks to read it. When I suggest it I usually get a strange look, but what the heck....
03 America
01 Bonneville
00 Trophy 1200
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Re: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2006
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Although I think it steals from the "mystique" that is reading a good book.... It is available on line as an E-book (for free) here
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Adjunct
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Yeah, good read - lots to think about - only sad note is that Robert's son Chris was murdered in San Francisco a few years later...makes you value the moment.
Never whistle while you're ******....!
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Re: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Posts: 5,590 |
MotoZens, Here is a site (there are many). Click on the page after you tire of the Zen music. It has route maps etc. http://zamm.home.att.net/JH
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 131
Adjunct
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OP
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Quote:
Quote:
Has anyone read this book? I'm teaching it as part of a course on American Philosophy this Spring and I'd love some feedback from folks who have been in the saddle longer than me. Was one of my favorite books before I bought a bike and probably influenced that decision. Thanks.
Oh sure Mike. Yeah...YOU read the book, huh?! You just want some "feedback"! Riiiiiiiight! 
Come on! Fess up! You're too cheap to go buy the Cliff Notes for that BOOK REPORT that's due friday, aren't cha?! And you figured THIS GROUP, who's always eager help out anyone in need, would help ya out of the MESS you're in now, HUH?!  
Busted!
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Re: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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Joined: May 2005
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I was only lukewarm about "Zen..." I saw where he was going, but I'm not sure I like how he tried to get there (please pardon the puns). Check out "The Perfect Vehicle; What it is about Motorcycles" by Melissa Holbrook Pierson. Link: http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Vehicle-What-about-Motorcycles/dp/0393318095I think you'll find it very, very worthwhile. Additionally, I'd recommend "Song of the Sausage Creature" by H.S. Thompson -- an essay, not a full-length "novel," but he brilliantly captures the essence of being a motorhead. Or "On the Road," of course. Not bikes, but... well, y'know.  --Jaeger
NEUTIQUAM ERRO
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Re: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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Adjunct
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My copy is held together with fiberglass packing tape, a rubberband, and lots of Post-Its (and I'd hate to think the Mrs. tossed it, because I can't put my hands on it). I read it the first time in 1975, and have read it every couple of years to see what's new.
Have always thought about making the trip myself, or creating my own.
Along with "Zen," I'd also recommend this, available at amazon.com ... "Guidebook to Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Ron Di Santo and Tom Steele (Paperback - Nov 19, 1990). Very academic, but it provides a lot of background, and also breaks down the trip on a day-by-day basis.
Another book in the same vein is "Blue Highways" by William Least Heat Moon.
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Re: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
Quote:
Another book in the same vein is "Blue Highways" by William Least Heat Moon.
I read Blue Highways while living in the land of Red Rock Highways, it's in a box somewhere around here? I think one of his messages was to slow down and smell the roses if I remember correctly. That's hard to do, especially when you have to do strange things like "schedule" vacations.
Being a fortunate boy, periodically riding the BA across these MT landscapes for work tends to soften the edges
JH
Last edited by freedom; 01/06/2007 7:47 PM.
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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