Ride Free Forever

Ride Free Forever

WHEN THIS TWO-VOLUME SET OF HARLEY-DAVIDSON coffee-table books showed up at the CW offices, it was with great ceremony.

These books are B-I-G, as in 11 x 12½ inches and a combined 706 pages.

Suffice to say that Ride Free Forever is no small read.

Written by German Oluf F. Zierl, the books reveal the zeal with which strudelheads and Yanks alike have embraced all things Orange-and-Black. Each thick-stock glossy page is attractively designed and overflowing with Motor Company minutia and photos. In a nutshell, Volume I looks at H-D history and incorporates obscure literary odds and ends, such as a sidebar on Pancho Villa’s

bike. Volume II delves into the touchy-feely side of

Harley, and focuses on the people, places and events of H-D culture.

Now. Keep in mind that the books were translated from German, and the wording can be, umm, creative. Zierl admits up front that he doesn’t know if Ride Free Forever will “answer the question of what is so fascinating and special about Harley...” Well, it does, and in an entertaining manner to boot. You can’t ask for much more than that.

Wendy F. Black

Ride Free Forever: The Legend of HarleyDavidson, Oluf F. Zierl, 706 total pages, $80; Classic Motorbooks, 729 Prospect Ave., Osceola, Wl 54020; 800/826-6600