Motor Cycle Question

[Don_D]

Take the class and buy good quality gear.

My riding days are done but I always preferred smaller lighter dual sport bikes to big street cruisers. Motorcycles are like anything, you wont know what you like till you get one and spend time in the seat.

If you plan to ride street and travel in any areas that are built up with traffic I would go a step further than the class for your endorsement and take a defensive riding course as well. It will be money well spent and could save your life. Its not a matter of IF someone will not see you and make that left hand turn in front of you, it is a matter of when. You always need to have a backup escape plan when riding. A class will get you thinking about and planning for it on a regular basis.

[elksnout]

Just successfully completed the class. Next step? Dunno, but I stepped out of my  comfort zone to learn something new. 

elksnout

[Machias]

Just successfully completed the class. Next step? Dunno, but I stepped out of my  comfort zone to learn something new. 

elksnout

Congrats!!!

[KFhunter]

congrats!


I know you got a ton of advice, but your age, experience and confidence level does not match up to a KTM bike.  I love them, I raced them and I bleed orange but I suggest you not get one unless you can turn your own wrenches and have the confidence to make em rip.  Putz'n around on a KTM ought to be as illegal as it is sacrilegious.

I know a lot of people love those Yamaha WR 250's, bit taller and snappier than your trainer bike, suspension is much nicer and it has decent maintenance intervals. 
(it's also fuel injected which is very nice for riding sea to mountain top)


The Honda... whoa I just came across this! I didn't know they made a baby rally bike!  How cool is this?  (also FI)
http://powersports.honda.com/2017/crf250l/street.aspx

I dunno about you but I'm pushing mid 40's and don't need to rip everywhere I go.  Now, I want a comfortable bike, low noise, fuel injection and low seat height so I can flat foot it over logs.  Ya, I can snap a bike over a 14 inch log at 40 mph or more but I don't want too, I'll be out by myself and an injury could have me laying there for days before I was found. 

I know I want a TW200, nothing is better for scouting for Elk in cattle country.  I can go down cattle trails in the brush where an ATV would be too wide against the trees, it won't sink in the soft muddy single track animal trails.