(02-01-2014, 12:00 PM)PowderToastMan_imp Wrote: I think it's doable, but you have to be really sensible about it. It could be pretty hard to avoid dropping such a heavy bike if you haven't been accustomed to motorcycles in general.
My first bike was very tiny and light, but it felt slightly heavy to me at the time.

Also, you can get in over your head, make a noob mistake and take a spill on a lot less bike than this (I know that firsthand!!)

All that said, it is as I've said from the day I got this bike.. go easy on the throttle and it will go easy on you.

No matter which way you go, take an MSF course and any other training that you can get. Also I recommend that you read Proficient Motorcycling, and then keep it for reference and re-read it once in a while. Find a good riding buddy or two who can be patient with you at first and help you grow into it. May be good to stay away from larger group rides until you're really comfortable

That's just my two cents!

(02-16-2014, 12:22 AM)Third Quarter_imp Wrote: Folks, I am so sorry...

I've read all of the advice you posted, many thanks for that. I went to the motorcycle show in Salem NH last weekend. Someone was showing a stunning 2013 CB1100 front and center, with a couple of beautiful CBs from the '70s to make it look even better. Wow, I wanted it. I sat on it, but it just felt too big. No problem, I'm just a noob, let's look around. I went around and sat on a lot of other bikes. Came back to the CB1100 like ten times, but it always felt a little too much. Too easy to imagine dropping it in my own driveway, as some of you warned. Began thinking I should really take your advice, and get something small and used to start with. Found a fine low mileage 2008 Nighthawk 250 that a local dealer was offering for a decent price. Cute little bike. That would have made a lot of sense, a lot of sense. I'll admit right here that I was disappointed in how much sense it made. You understand. I almost bought it. But then I left and went up the road to a Moto Guzzi dealer who had new V7s. It felt awesome, looked great in the same sort of way that I like the CB1100, cost a lot less, and very much felt the 140 lbs less that it weighed.

Anyway, you know what happened next. My new V7 Special, white/orange, will make a great starter bike that I won't drop in the driveway and won't necessarily outgrow for some time. And when I do I'll upgrade to a CB1100.

Thanks and Goodbye for now!