The Motorcycle Design, Art, Desire

The essential exploration of the design, history, and culture of the motorcycle – an icon of the machine age

Motorcycles are ubiquitous in the world’s streets and cities, evolving over decades in engineering and design to meet individual transportation needs. With the coming demise of the internal combustion engine and the rise of electric-powered vehicles, motorcycle design is being revolutionized by new technologies, the demands of climate change, and global social transformation.

The book showcases 100 superb examples of motorcycle design from the late 19th century to the present and then on beyond to the technological innovations of the future. The essays and texts accompanying each image have been written by internationally renowned motorcycle experts, Professor Charles M. Falco and Ultan Guilfoyle, who reveal the motorcycle's influence on realms as diverse as film, fashion, sport, advertising, and technology.

Beautifully illustrated with specially commissioned photography and archival ephemera, the engaging text will prove compulsive reading for design lovers and motorcycle fans alike.  A must-have companion, The Motorcycle, Design, Art, Desire traces the exciting evolution of this automotive icon – and the culture of desire, freedom, and rebellion that surrounds it.

Charles M Falco is professor of optical sciences and of physics at the University of Arizona. Alongside his lifelong passion for motorcycles, his work has seen him collaborate with artist David Hockney on a research project into the historic use of optical aids in painting.

Ultan Guilfoyle is an award-winning producer, director, and writer, whose films include Sketches of Frank Gehry (2006) and Making Space, Five Women Architects (2015).