Topic: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

[Canuck Cafe]

Hey Guys,

With winter coming and the fact that my bike is messed up (more to come on that in the tech section) I thought that if I couldn't ride at least I could read about it. So I started 'Zen' a couple of days ago and I like the storytelling about the ride but all that deep philosophical stuff (which I guess is the main point of the book) has left me puzzled. Maybe I've just been spending too much time with my head in a manual!

I know this ain't Oprah's Book Club but has anyone else read this thing? Did you like it and is it worth pushing through?

Any other good books out there with motorcycles or riding that you'd recommend?

J

[Klark Kent]

no, but its worth picking up again later.  if pirsig isnt speaking to you then put it down, dont force it, or push it, or anything.  I am almost done reading 'the master and margarita' its a great book and i have been reading the first chapter and putting it down for 3 years.  this time it spoke to me and i am going to finish it.  i never force myself to read books (unless they are tech manuals) getting 'er done isnt the point.
-KK

[SteveD CB500F]

Run a search on "Pirsig" and read what others have said about this book over the last few years.

[martini]

The Master and Margerita is a great read, one of my all time favorites.

As for Zen, I've actaully read it twice because the first time through I didn't realy fully understand it, not that I did after the second time through it either. Despite the title its not a book about motorcycles, its a book about philosophy. As for good motorcyle books I think there was a post on here very recently where lots of good ones were mentioned. Personally I've enjoyed, Hell's Angels by Hunter S., Long Way Round, and Jupiter's Travels. Happy reading.

[SteveD CB500F]

Long Way Round was a good read.

As was the one about the couple who rode Yamaha trail bikes around New Zealand (can't remember the name)

I "read" Zen in the 70's coz it was cool to be seen reading it.
I read it again recently - this time without missing out all the non-bike bits!

[Tim.]

I've read it 

[crazypj]

I've read it.
First two chapters are hard work but then it gets better (more readable)
PJ

[BobbyR]

He has a lot to say that takes a bit of reflection to understand. He is also into Mysticism.  He also had some big stones running that teenie CB 77 Superhawk  all over the place.  Yeah CB 77, a 28 HP screamer.

[heffay]

i worked in a very slow coffee shop once... yes, i've read it.  it took forever because i "pushed on through".  but, then again, i enjoyed the philosophy part.  Quality. 

[Uncle Ernie]

Seems like we talked about that a month or two ago.  "Zen" really isn't about motorcycles, it's just how a philospher-mechanic relates the ideas. 
Two of my favorite books for a good time; "Archy and Mehitabel" by Don Marquis, and "God Bless You Mr Rosewate", by Kurt Vonnegut

[Brunow]

PAPERBACK How to Set Up Your Motorcycle Workshop
  18.85 EUR The article was send 1 1 0
PAPERBACK Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
  7.55 EUR The article was send 1 1 0

* SOON... *  For 7.55€ you can't complain

[cafehonda]

I've read it several times. Probably one of my favorites. I actually bought the guidebook that explains the principals, relating it to various eastern philosophies. It helps a great deal.

[flyin_]

Its worth pushing through if you have to.  It may take a few times through to really get it but its a great read even if you have to close your eyes through the deep parts. 

One of my favorite bike books it "Two Wheels Through Terror" by Glen Hegstad.  Check this guy out if you haven't heard of him.

[Tim.]

I also read Lila, which is the 'prequel' if I recall to Zen.  Not nearly as enjoyable.

I read Zen while on a 3 month stay on the Navajo nation in Window Rock Arizona.  Spent a lot of time travelling around the area, including the drive there and back from Canada.  Great timing to read the book.  Unfortunately I was driving my car, but it did make me stop and get out every once in a while in the middle of nowhere (which when you're driving through South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah etc. is pretty much everywhere .

There is a lot to be said about being 'in' the scene vs. watching it through the tv screen that is your car's windshield.

BTW - the picture on my earlier post is of my tattoo that I had done in Toronto by a fantastic artist named Kathy Body at Abstract Arts back in the early 90's.  She did a great job reproducing the shades of green in the leaves from the book's artwork.  You need the trade sized paperback or hard cover to see the artwork in color I think.