In 1952, Floyd Clymer published the first in a two-part series of motorcycle road test books that had originally appeared in the UK magazine, Motor Cycle. Obviously, these road tests focused on UK manufactured machines and European models that had UK distributors. The initial 1952 publication was followed by a second in 1954 that, in addition to motorcycle road tests, also included scooter, three wheeler and cyclemotor tests.
With 120 pages, profusely illustrated with 226 images plus specifications and performance information for each model, this publication combines both the 1952 and 1954 books into a single edition that includes 49 Motorcycle, 2 Scooter, 2 Three Wheeler and 7 Cyclemotor road tests.
At the time of publication, these books generated little interest with US motorcycle enthusiasts as Harley Davidson and Indian were the most widely accepted forms of two-wheel transportation. US based distributors of UK machines were scarce and the imports from Japan were still a number of years in the future. However, many of the motorcycles tested are extremely collectible today and independent road tests such as these, which were conducted at the time when these models were first introduced, will be of interest to owners of those machines as they highlight the pros and cons of each model and provide a unique comparison to their competitors.
The front cover of this book provides a detailed list of the machines featured in the individual road tests. However, the various manufacturers included are as follows. MOTORCYCLES: Ariel, Bown, B.S.A., D.M.W., Dot, Excelsior, Francis-Barnett, Greeves, Indian (Brave), James, Norman, Norton, Royal Enfield, Sunbeam, Tandon, Triumph, Velocette & Vincent. SCOOTERS: Vespa & Lambretta. 3 WHEELERS: Bond & Reliant. CYCLEMOTORS: Berini, Cucciolo, Mini-Motor, Velo-Solex, Cyclemaster, Power Pak & B.S.A. Winged Wheel.
