Read more »]]>

I’ve been giving some recent consideration to giving up my car in favor of a motorcycle. I’ve never ridden one in my life, but I’ve got lots of friends who are afficionados to whom I’m readily turning for advice. They all say, “Take a class,” and I agree with them — riding a bike isn’t the sort of thing you just toy with, and if I’m going to do it I want to do it right. This shit can kill me (note: So can lots of stuff) so I’m going to do everything within my power to stack the odds as far in my favor as possible. I’ve signed up — or, at least I’ve submitted the registration form — for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation‘s Basic RiderCourse class at the local community college.

Once I’ve got the training and license taken care of, I’m going to look into getting a bike. I’m pretty certain I want a cruiser, and I know for sure that I don’t want a sport bike. I’ve been looking at:

• 2006 Honda Shadow Spirit 750
• 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic
• 2006 Yamaha V Star Classic
• 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL 883L
• A co-worker’s 1996 Honda Magna that he’s looking to sell

I think it could be a lot of fun and I think it could lead me into a lifelong hobby, but I’m very nervous. What if I’m a lousy rider? What if I sell the car and get the bike, and it turns out to not be practical as a daily “driver?” There are a number of ways this could go horribly awry, and I’m coming up with more. I guess it’s a question of weighing the payoff, I guess, but looking around at most of those I know who ride wouldn’t give it or their love of it up for anything.