I got my motorcycle learner's permit (where I live you can't get the full licence straight away) a few months ago, and it is one of the best decisions I ever made.

Piggybacking on Lou's comment about engine size vs horsepower:
Tynan, if you're serious about your motorcycle performance and see yourself eventually upgrading again, you really need to analyze power (if you haven't already). The CCs don't come close to telling the story. Even manufacturer stated horsepower doesn't tell the whole story. The best metric you can use is REAR WHEEL horsepower which takes measurement where the rubber literally meets the road, AFTER all the bike's inefficiencies have factored in.

Continued.. poor combination, especially for 150hp sportbikes. I would not advise this just like I would not advise a 1st time driver to buy a corvette. The only difference here is bikes are more affordable. In tynan's defense a) he never advised this and b) 800cc of duc only gets you about 70hp :)

Anyway, none of this matters. Not sure why I even replied in detail here. Even if the risks were as extreme as you say myself and others would still take them. Why? For the same reason people do any adventurous things, like travel to far off places or attempt things they've never done before. Because they're not dead yet, they realize life is finite, and they're hoping to get something out of it while they're here..

Sure, there are risks. I still feel safer on two wheels vs four tho. Sporting motorcycles posses features such as maneuverability, braking, size, and speed that can be used to your advantage to avoid obstacles. I've avoided a few imminent crashes over the years by not panicing and taking action.

Of course there are disadvantages as well. You're very vulnerable on a motorcycle (this is what I think scares people the most), you need to maintain a high level of focus to use the bike's advantages, you need to anticipate the actions of those around you to protect your vulnerability, and you need to develop a rational sense of restraint not to use the bike's speed in unsafe situations. Slacking in these areas is easy and I believe it causes a lot of crashes.

..1000cc bikes and new riders is obviously a p

Best post ever!

I have had the same experience. I love riding. It is way to instantly put yourself into a meditative state. If you drift out of it, you die.

Unfortunately I did do that once, crashed my R6. But trust me, I'll be racing dirtbikes and riding street motorcycles soon enough once my financial situation improves.

I love my motorcycle and wouldn't trade it for anything (except maybe another bike). I also wear my gear when I ride. It might be hot, but I can replace a leather jacket when I can't my skin.

There's definitely something to Motorcycle Therapy. I just finished reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and Zen and Now. Great books!

Numerate readers will appreciate the use of Pareto optimization in motorcycle safety.

Do this to cut death risk from 10x (vs auto risk) to perhaps 3x.

1. Zero alcohol.
2. ABS brakes.
3. Wide, brightly colored fairing.
4. Leave high beam on.
5. Avoid busy intersections.
6. DOT-approved helmet.

Sources: DOT and the Hurt Report.

@lou - actually competent riders crash 35 times more often than competent drivers. Riders of sports bikes crash 140 times more often. Riders with little experience on 1000cc+ machines with no health insurance? you do the math.

I've riden bikes in the past and they are fantastic but don't pretend that they are without risk.

Do you approve of Tynan's advice to buy the highest powered bike you can afford and ride it with minimal experience and no health insurance?

75% of accidents are the fault of other road users - your competence doesnt come into it - If you've gone through 18 years without incident then you are very, very lucky.

The Wiki article on motorcycle safety sums up the different attitude to risk very well. You seem to fall somewhere between type three and type four

I'm not looking for a arguement just pointing out the risks....ride safe

Welcome to the club Ty ;) The moto bug has sunken in it's teeth. Now how about combining your interests? Motorcycle travel is a true minimalist experience. Read zen, watch long way round (and down), and read jupiter's travels. You'll be on a KLR crossing continents before you know it

And all the moto negativity really bothers me here. I've been riding for 18 years without incident, competent riders don't crash any more than auto drivers. Ride defensive. Never trust cars, assume they don't see you.

Life is dangerous if u actually go out and live it.

As they say, there's only two types of motorcycle riders: those who dropped their bikes, and those who will :)

Back in my youth I rode motorcycles (Ninja 250->6E->6R) and I had a slight mishap where I had a hairline crack on my foot (granted, could've possibly have been avoided had I been wearing motorcycle boots, but, not always practical). I took it as a sign from the heavens to hang up my leathers. City riding in SF is nuts!