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Rating: 
Summary: Take it for a ride
Review: Brock Yates provides a compelling overview of the Harley-Davidson history, and interesting thoughts on what Harley means to America. In some cases his philsophical pronouncements exceed his grasp, and in a few spots he becomes repetitive. Still, as a Harley owner, I greatly enjoyed the book. It does not get mired in tech specs, nor in meaningless detail of the Davidson family lineage. It is definitely not a hagiography -- he strikes the balance between pointing out flaws and giving credit where due. Others here say he stumbled on some history, but I value his writing that quickly moved me from cover to cover. It hits the high spots, and entertainingly tells me more about the Harley company and history than I knew before.
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Summary: Outlaw Machine: Harley-Davidson and the Search for the Ameri
Review: Covering the history of the Harley-Davidson marque relative to American culture in the 20th century, Outlaw Machine is an enjoyable essay for all motorcycle enthusiasts. All manner of topics are covered, even those which bikers would just as happily forget. However, Yates' roughly-hewn writing style and badly put foreign language cliches, particularly his brutal grammaire francaise, become terribly distracting if not annoying. I would also recommend skipping the epilogue if the reader is not from the USA, as it is ripping of American domineering and ignorant views of foreign culture. Regardless, this work's broad scope of the historical development of the motorcycle industry in North America is fun reading, and if nothing else an excellent source for further reading with its many references to previous publications on the subject.
Rating: 
Summary: A book that's nearly as good as the machine
Review: Ever since my first ride on a motorcycle I've lusted for a Harley and my single ride on one did nothing to diminish the desire. Although so far I've sublimated it with a Yamaha and a Triumph I'm just waiting for that great day when I get my piece of the American dream. Brock Yates' fine book makes for interesting reading while waiting. It's filled with facts and stories and history all woven together artfully and enjoyably. If you like motorcycles at all and especially if you like Harley Davidson motorcycles you need this book. You'll want it after you have it. You'll keep it till it wears out. Then you'll get another one. It's a good book by a fine author about a fabulous machine and the company that builds them along with its fascinating history.
Rating:
Summary: Good Introduction to Bike History
Review: Having started with a minibike at age 5, and eventually moving up through dirt bikes, Japanese bikes and eventually to Harley's by the time I was 30, I wanted to know a bit of motorcycle history. I picked up the book on a whim thinking it would have a good bit of history without taking the rest of my life to read, and wasn't disappointed. The book, though not a detailed account of every facet of motorcycling, served its purpose well. It's a good and entertaining introduction into the history of the Harley Davidson. Several of its points rang true. For instance the fact that Japanese bikes, though undoubtedly technologically superior, just don't have the soul of a Harley sums up the reasons I eventually abandoned the former bikes for the American brand (the difference in price tags had a bit to do with buying one later in life as well, come to think of it). I truly enjoyed the book, and would suggest it to anyone who is looking for an introduction into Harley history.
Rating:
Summary: Brock Says It Well
Review: I finally found the the words I needed to tell a friend in this book - "...Like most Japanese products, Honda motorcycles offered perfect function but no passion." That clearly describes the difference between those of us on scoots and the wannabe racers on rice rockets. Brock brings his awesome powers of observation and ability to get the facts straight to this book, and leaves no doubt in any readers mind of the bad, the good and the VERY ugly in the story of an American icon - Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. If you are a true student of the marque as well as a business buff, this is a must-read on both counts.
Rating:
Summary: Good Introduction to Bike History
Review: Incredible. Almost never has a book shown such a lack of research, and an abundance of inacuraccies. For an author to make such incredible mistakes in his material is bad. For a journalist? Inexcusable. Mr.Yates proved time and time again that his research was lacking. Even without those, Mr.Yates' Holier-than-thou, know-it-all attitude was off-putting at best. For example, a statement which wasn't even related to bikes (about Daytona Bike Week): "A visitor to Bike Week might conclude that this is a lilly white crowd. There are no blacks and no Hispanics, no minorities of any kind." Obviously, ol' Brock has looked at every visitor to Bike Week, and has also asked them all about their lineage. This last statement is so ridiculous, it's almost funny. The only reason I gave this book 2 stars instead of 1 is because some of the pictures were interesting. The text added absolutely nothing of interest, for the innacuracies were just overbearing. Save your money. There are many other books with much more details about the history of Harley-Davidson. I wouldn't consider this one "research"!
Rating: 
Summary: A journalist wrote this?
Review: Incredible. Almost never has a book shown such a lack of research, and an abundance of inacuraccies. For an author to make such incredible mistakes in his material is bad. For a journalist? Inexcusable. Mr.Yates proved time and time again that his research was lacking. Even without those, Mr.Yates' Holier-than-thou, know-it-all attitude was off-putting at best. For example, a statement which wasn't even related to bikes (about Daytona Bike Week): "A visitor to Bike Week might conclude that this is a lilly white crowd. There are no blacks and no Hispanics, no minorities of any kind." Obviously, ol' Brock has looked at every visitor to Bike Week, and has also asked them all about their lineage. This last statement is so ridiculous, it's almost funny. The only reason I gave this book 2 stars instead of 1 is because some of the pictures were interesting. The text added absolutely nothing of interest, for the innacuracies were just overbearing. Save your money. There are many other books with much more details about the history of Harley-Davidson. I wouldn't consider this one "research"!
Rating:
Summary: Harley Davidson image is all outlaw based, and phoney
Review: Mr. Yates has written an excellent short history of Harley Davidson that brings one point very clear. The whole image of Harley Davidson is owed to the Hell's Angels and the like. Current riders for the most point , RUBS, can pretend to be an outlaw, look like and outlaw and ride the outlaw machine, without being one. It's all about image, and that is a shame. Because Harley Davidson makes great bikes and could and will sell on their merrits. I often wonder how well Harley would sell bikes, if it were not for the outlaw image. I found this book interesting and a great read.
Rating:
Summary: Brock Yates has delivered!!!
Review: This is a thinking man's guide to Harley Davidson, but moreover a thoughtful anaysis of what primeval forces are at work in the market place and in our psyches causing us to lust after such a machine. Brock Yates addresses such questions as: Why do respectable dentists and stock brokers long to be week-end outlaws; why does riding a Harley symbolize rebellion against an over-regulatory society; and why do the clueless Japanese continue to offer high tech versions of the Harley. Personally, I never knew absolutely why I chose to ride a Harley or why I continue to cling to the nebulous Harley Davidson mystique, but after reading this book, I think I do. This book is a must read for the Harley enthusiast or even the non-enthusiast who simply wants to understand all the fuss!
Rating: 
Summary: Another author cashing in on us
Review: Whatever Harleys were in the 50's and 60's, they are not that now. The people that I know that ride "Hardleys" are weekend Walter Mittys, college presidents, accountants, lawyers, even ministers, "hardley" the outlaw type. If a Hardley is an American Icon then we are in worse shape then I thought. These bikes appeal to people who are impressed by image, not substance, the "it sounds cool so I want one" crowd. Yugo-Davidson's engines have push rods, leak oil, and the bolts vibrate loose. Japanese bikes, that Yates loves to maline, do none of these things, or they used not to. I understand the Japanese are coming to our rescue, in order to appeal to the savy American "Outlaw" market, they are going to make their Yugo-Davidson clone bikes more authentic. At least one manufacturer is going to build a permanent vibration into their engines. Sounds like the American Icon is going to have some competition. Maybe they can also build in an oil leak and bolts that fall out. Should make it a best seller. Yates, I have a great idea for your next book, "Outlaw Car, Ford Pinto". This could be the next American Icon.
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