Publishers pick a variety of would-be writers to author books about motorcycles. With subjects ranging from how-to-ride to the experiences found on a motorcycle, the authors come from magazine editors to professionals who manage different safety programs as well as nearly every walk of life in between.

But regardless of who writes it, with pretty full book shelves already many riders and readers may wonder if there is the need for yet another book about motorcycles. The answer comes from the author of the latest title, ‘Let's Ride: Sonny Barger's Guide to Motorcycling

For those not in the know, Sonny Barger helped found the Oakland, California chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club in 1957. He was also one of the Hells Angels present at the Rolling Stones' Altamont Free Concert in 1969 and made an appearance in Hunter S. Thompson's bestselling book, Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs. Barger and the Hells Angels made international headlines when a small group disrupted hundreds of anti-war protestors in Berkeley, California in 1965.

At first glance, having a colorful character such as Sonny Barger, one of the better known members of the infamous Hells Angels may not be the obvious choice to pen a book helping new riders into the wonderful world of motorcycles.

But apparently, he is in fact the perfect choice and a few pages into the title you wonder why he didn’t write such a book sooner.

Certainly riding a motorcycle comes with its own personal experience with different people taking away their own unique enjoyments. But the mechanics of everyone’s favorite two-wheeled past time as well as the safest way to ride has long been tested and established.

Convincing both new and old riders to either start riding the right way or breaking old, bad habits and more importantly, how to convey the advice makes all the difference. Enter Sonny Barger’s book.

Whether right or wrong, having a colorful figure such as Barger emphatically preaching the use of helmets stands a much better chance of reaching a certain group of riders that most professional safety experts have difficulty reaching, regardless of the accreditations after their name.

But it would be unfair to say the book reaches readers (and riders) using Barger’s ‘street cred’. The charm of ‘Let’s Ride – Sonny Barger’s Guide to Motorcycling’ comes from the common sense conclusions peppered with the author’s real life events.  Along with the casual writing, Sonny Barger’s stories and experiences bring a dimension lost in many motorcycle books; the feel of the seasoned advice from a riding buddy sitting on the next bar stool.

One of the joys of riding is the wealth of knowledge so freely and enjoyably shared at motorcycle events and bike nights among fellow bikers. ‘Let’s Ride’ captures this perfectly in its conversational and occasional blunt writing.

As with other similar books, ‘Let’s Ride – Sonny Barger’s Guide to Motorcycling’ takes the approach of someone who has never sat in the saddle through what makes up a motorcycle, how to chose their first ride onto safety gear and of course riding techniques. While giving a detailed overview, the book doesn’t ride too far down any technical road, instead enticing the reader to venture out a learn more.

In many ways, this is again, similar to riding itself.

Although surely not the intended reason, Sonny writes about different parts of his past or makes points discounting and sometimes correcting popular misconceptions brought about by urban myths or from a perhaps, sensationalized media.

With the surprise that Barger swears by motorcycle helmets ‘I find riding is more comfortable and enjoyable with a full face helmet’ and the books’ confessional introduction ‘Back on the 1970’s people used to say “Ride hard, die young and leave a good looking corpse”. People said a lot of dumb things in those days. I’m in my seventies today and that saying seems idiotic to me now.’, the book is revealing as much as it is entertaining.

Other surprises to readers and riders may be,

• Sonny’s first ride was a Cushman scooter
• He is a fan of motorcycle safety courses such as those offered by the MSF
• Although he only rides American, feels the European’s have it right when it comes to a center stand.

Well over two hundred pages, the book is packed with the stories and advice it would take years to hear and learn on the road and should be considered a must for any rider, regardless of their experience.

‘Let's Ride: Sonny Barger's Guide to Motorcycling ' is written by Sonny Barger with Darwin Holstrom, priced at $23.99 and hits the bookshelves on June 8^th.