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Thank you. I have been getting alot of good advice. Some of it is discouraging, some encouraging. I have a great deal more to consider and think about. I am definitely taking the MSF course. After I told my husband about some of the advice I was getting, he said maybe its best for me to buy a smaller used bike first (dangit).

When I started riding in the early ‘70s a 450cc bike was considered a big bike. 650cc bikes were the monsters of the day. Sportsters were off the charts huge, snarling viscous animals. Mind you, I didn't own a 1000cc motorcycle until my fifth bike. I didn't own a Harley until my seventh bike. Having said that, I've known people whose first bikes were giant killers; they all survived & are riding to this day.

I'm giving you the same advice I'd given my daughter. Start small for the first year; it's just easier to learn & evaluate things on a smaller bike. They're simply less intimidating. If you find motorcycling is indeed for you, trade up the following year. If not, you're not out a ton of money when it comes time to get rid of it.

Post a picture of your new ride when you get it!