I've never been hassled by a cop and the only ticket I have ever gotten was back in 1975 when I went through a roadcheck and got a ticket for no county sticker.

I agree that you buy a motorcycle to save money but it is a good excuse if you already want one. Once you get your riding gear and helmet, the expense is not great. I change my oil annually myself once a year and spend about an hour adjusting the valves every two or three years. If you have a bike with bags and do your errand running with it, you will probably save enough gas to cover the expenses of having the bike. It's far less expensive than golf or many other leisure activities.

The death rate is far higher for motorcycles than it is for cars and there are reasons. A great many fatalities are to riders who are new to the sport or just got a new toy. The temp. tag is frequently still on the bike. The typical fatality is usually either young and reckless or an aging baby boomer who just started riding or returned to riding after many years and whose reflexes have slowed. I read that 60% of the fatalities had been drinking prior to the accident. If you're riding a motorcycle, one drink is to many.

 

For your first bike I'd get a dual sport, nothing larger than a 250. My preference would be Kawasaki or Suzuki. Learn in the dirt. Once you know how to lean, spin, slide, donut and drop it without major harm you'll be better prepared for the street than most. I see lots of people get big street bikes with no idea how they handle in difficult situations. They usually learn the hard way. On the street you'll lose traction when you least expect it. Be prepared.

I started on a '72 Rupp 4hp mini bike, then a '75 Kawasaki 250 dual sport 2-stroke. I use to prefer cruisers, but since they stopped making in-line 4 cylinder, chain drive cruisers I won't own one. Last one I had was a '80 Suzuki GS1100L, great bike, before that a '77 Kawasaki 1000LTD. My current ride is a '91 Kawasaki ZX-11. Once your ready for a bigger street bike consider a ZX6. Good bang for the buck and handles well with plenty of power. Also get a good full face helmet, it may save your life. I see too many guys spend all their bucks on a bike or ATV and then cheap out on the helmet, bad idea. I use Arai, which I consider the best, but Shoei is good too and costs less. I would avoid most other brands except maybe Simpson, not cheap either. Wear leather when weather permits. Be prepared and if you’re lucky you'll only know road rash as a game.

 

Well said. You make an excellent point between wanting to ride and having to ride. If it's a pain, you will not ride. Most people find a reason to take the cage. For me it's a battle between driving my truck or taking the KLR. Both serve their purpose rather well.