Originally Posted by motordavid

G:
I'd rec'd something other than a bullet to start with; even the medium motor'd sleds will walk any car any of us is likely to drive.

Besides the amazing acceleration, it is corner/countersteering, balance at lower speeds, hand/foot coordination, how to brake hard and still steer, how to brake in corners when leaned over a tad, recognizing traffic devils before they affect you, heads up riding, blah, blah, blah...

Not meant to read like a lecture, but 45 yrs on m'cycles offers a little historical view of how I have, thus far, stayed alive and well. Well, OK actually. But, knock on wood: other than some slow go downs in dirt and some "no kickstand down" tip overs in my TT riding days, I have yet to be down in the street. (That TT riding stands for T avern to T avern stuff I did back in my 20s and 30s.)

Nothing beats going to ride in the dirt for learning, imo. I don't mean stadium motocross; jes' plinking in a field or woods. That is often not an option, as it requires a non-street or very specialized "combo" sled, diff tires, etc..

If you are serious, I rec'd a well used, but well running rat, from the Sunday papers: way less than a grand, and go practice, practice, practice. Yeah, you won't look as cool as you would on a new 748 or CRR600 et al, but that rat/learner has the same principles involved and if you do toss it, you won't be tapping the home equity to fix it.

Also, a decent lid and something more than Levis and T shirt. And, good gloves.

An MSF course(s) is also outstanding; (I've had 4 and I learn something every time.)

And, nothing beats riding...there is, imo, an insidious learning curve for novice riders: it will soon seem "easy" and "fun" and like, "Wow, this is cake!" Combine that with most male human's penchant for acceleration, speed and adrenalin rushes and, keeping up with buds whom are either very skilled and/or more aggressive, and Bam!

I have seen it happen over the first few weeks/months of new riders many, many times.

No apology for the long post/lecture; it is an amazing sport and hobby, but it is serious fookin biz out there on two wheels on the highway of life.
My 25Cts is up...but, I wish you well, good luck and keep the sumbitch between the fences.
GL,md