Reviewer's Notebook

General Overview

Where can I begin? Anyone on the fringe of Generation X or beyond that ever threw a leg over a dirt bike knows about Rick Sieman. As the creator and long time editor of "Dirt Bike" magazine, his influence and brutally honest journalism shaped an entire sport, and the industry that grew up around it.

In his first book, "Monkey Butt!", Rick takes the reader down memory lane, and into both the glory years of Dirt Bike magazine, and the sport of dirt biking in general. Beginning with wide eyed childhood wonder at the thrill of sideshow "Wall of Death" riders, "Monkey Butt!" progresses through Hunk's first ride, racing career, and the rise and fall of "Dirt Bike"magazine. Discover the lengths the environmenal extremists have gone through to silence Hunk, and eliminate OHVs from our public lands. Ride along with Rick, a small group of riders, and literally thousands of supporters who dared to defy the illegal actions of environmental groups and the BLM on the Barstow to Vegas race course. Read about the federal trial that followed, and the enormous cost to the taxpayer which insued..

Full of stories, anecdotes, humor, and more, "Monkey Butt!" is far more than a simple retrospective. Rick literally puts the reader in the saddle with some of the sports all time greats. Travel to South America for racing action across the equator, back to the USA for the legendary "Blackwater 100", and of course the desert races of the southwestern states.

At times it's hilarious, outrageous, depressing, informative, and ultimately entertains you in a way only "Super Hunky" can, In short, "Monkey Butt!" is the easiest way for long time dirt bike fans to get inside the head of Super Hunky, short of a scalpel!

Book Highlights

• The rise and fall of "Dirt Bike" magazine
• Inside information on decisions that shaped the sport of dirt biking
• Countless stories, anecdotes, bits and pieces from the once hallowed halls of Daisy / Hi-Torque Publishing
• Up close, and personal with Bob "Hurricane" Hannah, Kenny Zhart, and other legends of the era
• The weaning of a "Gronk"
• "Mr. Know it All" revealed!
• Don't drink the water!
• Desert Racing, Motocross, and Enduro racing around the world
• Golf Course Motocross!
• The Phantom Duck of the Desert vs. the BLM
• The Super Hunky Integrated Tool system (S.H.I.T.)
• Earth First! Eco-nazis and the Barstow to Vegas race.
• Arrested for defending the right to ride
• X-rated BMX
• Tankslappers
• Those damn dirt bikers are crazy!
• The "Great Yellow Dirt Bike Truck
• The Blackwater 100
• Desert racing a Triumph Chopper!
• How to jump an 800 lb.Harley Davidson

The Verdict - "See Below"

Rather than give you my opinion, I'll give you some comments from the readers themselves...

• Bought 3 copies just before last Christmas. One for me and two gifts.
  Great reading and stories. Recommend it to all dirt bikers to read. ....Doug Hopwood

• I remember when I was an active rider back in the 70's and 80's,......Anyway, it takes me back. Maybe it's time to buy another bike, and rediscover the joys of dirt riding. Keep the faith.
  ..Simon Wright

• Really enjoyed your book, brought back a lot of memories of when I started riding on a old 200cc Zundapp.....Brian Halladay

• The only writer who can make me laugh out loud.
  Makes me want to go out and sit in the garage.....Tim McElroy

And me? I've read it 5 times now and it just keeps getting better every time I read it.