With a foreword by Norman Reedus and featuring Keanu Reeves, Jason Momoa, Tommy Flanagan and more, the new book arrives September 29 from Artisan Books, followed by a North American launch tour.
Bestselling author and journalist Eric Hendrikx brings together 107 riders from around the world in Motorcycle Life: Stories, Wisdom, and Obsession from Riders Around the World, a visually rich and deeply human exploration of what motorcycles mean to the people who ride them. Published by Artisan Books, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Motorcycle Life arrives September 29, 2026.
With a foreword by Norman Reedus and an introduction by Mike Wolfe, the book crosses borders, generations, professions, and backgrounds to document contemporary motorcycle culture through the people living it. Drawing on Hendrikx’s background in anthropology and years spent reporting from within the culture, Motorcycle Life combines intimate interviews and striking photography, giving equal weight to cultural icons and lesser-known builders, racers, designers, artists, and everyday riders. Reedus is also among the riders Hendrikx sits down with in the book, joining Keanu Reeves, Jason Momoa, Tommy Flanagan, Tyler Posey, Carey Hart, Jim Root, Steve Caballero, Jake Kiszka, Charley Boorman, and Roland Sands, among many others.
“This book is about connection—how we relate to one another, and the motorcycle as the conduit through which we express our ideas, our craft, our style, and our speed,” says Hendrikx. “There are some incredibly beautiful and innovative machines in these pages, and they’re an important part of the story. But ultimately, this book isn’t about motorcycles. It’s about freedom, friendship, healing, and purpose. You don’t have to ride a motorcycle to understand those things.”
Lia Ronnen, VP, Publisher and Editorial Director of Workman, Artisan, and Black Dog & Leventhal, says, “Motorcycle Life will be published at a time when people—and especially men—are desperate to find connection through real life experiences. Eric unites his personal knowledge of the motorcycle community with his talent for storytelling to bring us this fresh perspective on motorcycle culture. It’s an important addition to Artisan’s library of gift books that present moving stories as covetable objects.”
Eric Hendrikx by Renata Kaveh
EARLY PRAISE FOR MOTORCYCLE LIFE
“This book does what the best rides do—it takes you somewhere honest.” — Norman Reedus
“If you ride. And can read. Buy this book. Truthful storytelling, amazing photography. Made for your coffee table but belongs in your bike shed.” — Kurt Sutter, Creator of Sons of Anarchy
“This book is a time machine. It captures what motorcycle culture looks like right now—across borders, backgrounds, and beliefs. Years from now, these stories will show people how we moved through the world. Eric Hendrikx isn’t preserving motorcycles. He’s preserving meaning. And that’s why this book earns its place.” — Mike Wolfe, Host of American Pickers
“Motorcycle Life is far more than another beautifully crafted tome about two-wheelers, it’s the snapshot gathering of a tribe that’s as diverse, innovative, and performance driven as the machines that liberate it. Here, author Eric Hendrikx plays anthropologist to a culture that compels each of us—whether a rider or not—to find our own vehicle for fulfillment, then take it to redline.” — Viju Mathew, Automotive Editor, Robb Report
“The open road has a familiar pull for motorcyclists, but everyone’s toils and triumphs are unique. Hendrikx weaves together a deeply human portrait of why we ride and what we find along the way.” — Brittany Smith, Editor-in-Chief, Men’s Journal
“Motorcycling’s appeal lies in the universal joy of motion, balance, and shared experience. In Motorcycle Life, Eric Hendrikx brings together riders who articulate that usually unspoken feeling—creating a powerful portrait of why we ride.” — Mark Hoyer, Editor-in-Chief, Cycle World
“All motorcyclists have their own reasons for riding—for that first moment and for everything that follows. In Motorcycle Life, Eric Hendrikx brings together a remarkable collection of voices from influential riders around the world. It’s a meaningful contribution to motorcycle culture—one that will undoubtedly inspire the next generation to discover life on two wheels.” — Adam VanderVeen, Marketing Director, Triumph Motorcycles America
MOTORCYCLE LIFE ON THE ROAD
Beginning in September, Hendrikx will take Motorcycle Life on the road for a series of conversations, appearances and motorcycle events across North America, joined along the way by several of the riders featured in the book.
September 10–15 — Toronto
Toronto International Film Festival IT Lounge presented by NKPR x People x Entertainment Weekly x Shutterstock (Private Event)
September 29 — Toronto
Official Motorcycle Life Launch — Taglialatella Gallery / Indigo
October 1 — Toronto
Indigo — In Conversation with Special Guest
October 9–11 — Alabama
Barber Vintage Motorcycle Festival — with Triumph Motorcycles
October 15 — West Hollywood
Book Soup — In Conversation with Tommy Flanagan
October 17 — California
Moto Beach Classic — with riders from the book including Roland Sands
October 18 — Nashville
Southern Festival of Books — with Jake Kiszka of Greta Van Fleet
October 20–23 — Hightail Ranch, Montana
Special Motorcycle Life gathering with riders featured in the book
October 29 — New York City
AETHER SoHo — In Conversation with Special Guest
November 5 — Los Angeles
AETHER — with Justin Chatwin and Chase McQueen
RIDING FOR A CAUSE
Hendrikx is donating 100% of his preorder royalties from Motorcycle Life to the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in support of Movember and its work in men’s mental health and prostate cancer.
A longtime Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride ambassador, Hendrikx has personally raised $107,846 across eight DGR events since 2018, while the global movement has now raised more than $66 million USD in support of men’s health through Movember.
For Hendrikx, the partnership reflects one of the central ideas running throughout Motorcycle Life: motorcycles have the ability to bring people together around something larger than themselves.
Part cultural document, part visual journey and part collection of hard-earned wisdom, Motorcycle Life captures a global community at a particular moment in time—one defined not by geography, profession or background, but by the shared experience of life on two wheels.
To learn more about Motorcycle Life and preorder the book, visit erichendrikx.com/books.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eric Hendrikx is a bestselling author and journalist whose work explores adventure, resilience, culture, and modern identity. Born and raised in California, Hendrikx studied anthropology at San Diego State University, a background in human behavior and culture that continues to inform his journalism and storytelling.
Over the past decade, he has reported from within motorcycle culture—riding with subjects, spending time inside workshops, and profiling builders, racers, actors, artists, and lifelong riders around the world. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Men’s Journal, Robb Report, and Revolver, among other publications.
He is the coauthor of Bringing Metal to the Children with Zakk Wylde and Echoes from Eden with Dax Dasilva, featuring Dr. Jane Goodall.
Since 2018, Hendrikx has served as an ambassador for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride and Movember, personally raising $107,846 across eight events in support of men’s mental health and prostate cancer initiatives.
He lives in Toronto with his wife and their two black labs.
For more information, visit erichendrikx.com or follow @erichendrikx on Instagram.
BOOK DETAILS
Title: Motorcycle Life: Stories, Wisdom, and Obsession from Riders Around the World
Author: Eric Hendrikx
Publisher: Artisan Books, an imprint of Hachette Book Group
Format: Hardcover
Publication Date: September 29, 2026
Price: $40.00 USD | $51.00 CAD
ISBN: 9781648294297
Availability: Wherever books are sold
SOURCE, NKPR
To learn more, visit NKPR NATASHA KOIFMAN PUBLIC RELATIONS
