[Anja]

If you haven't ridden before, beat, it's probably a good idea to start with a smaller, lighter, less expensive bike and work your way up. When you have your accident - not if - it's good to trash the cheaper one first. Heh. Silly, but practical.

I started with a 350 Honda that I could afford and could afford to drop. And I did drop it. Only once, but once is enough to learn something.

I bought two other bikes over the years, quit because my reflexes have slowed down and deer and that other driver couldn't be trusted. Spring came, I got the fever again and went out and bought myself another.

This one's got three wheels - converted Harley 1200CC Sportster. And I'm back in the game.

Edit: More. This idea of listening to music while you ride is appealing and I used to do it. But I wouldnn't anymore.

Two things: If you don't use earphones you run the risk of aggravating a lot of people driving around you. And you probably don't want to do that because hostile folks in cars are a biker's natural nemesis!

And the second is that I find, with the earphones, I'm prone to what someone around here called the "cell phone bubble."

I find it a safety must to be able to hear vehicles approaching from my rear and I think I ride better when I can hear the sound of the bike's engine.

And I don't think I need music when I've got all the sensory stimulation traveling by bike provides.

It's a great way to travel.