For the last year or so I've been thinking that I'd like to get a motorcycle noway: ...fleeting thoughts, most of the time. With gas prices climbing higher & higher, though...I'm starting to think more seriously about this ! Is this a mid-life crisis or what??? Anyway, I need someone to talk some sense into me...talk me out of this...have me committed - whatever it takes.

Fact is, I could kill myself on a bike! Not only am I easily distracted and uncoordinated , but I'm an accident waiting to happen (soooo clumsy !) much of the time. Usually these traits only cause minor mishaps or problems, but on a bike...I could die!!! So if someone out there could please step up to the plate. I need a voice of reason. Somebody talk me out of this, please?

In lieu of that, what steps should I take to do this as safely as possible (given my personal limitations )? Suggestions on what type of bike I should get? If anyone says tricycle ......

might I suggest a vespa...great on gas but not fast enough to kill you just inflict bodily injury...the down side is your harley jacket has to be left at home

hey lu lu,,,i gased up my small bike today,,,,it's a yamaha 535 an i got 50 mpg,,,so i don't drive my truck much cause around town i get about 16 mpg,,,,,,,,ok they are schools that teach you how to ride an be safe,it cost about 300 bucks but from what i hear,it's well worth it,,go to your local license burow an pick up a booklett on motorcycles driven test,in th back they list schools in your area,as far as what size an brand,,you got to figuer out how an where you gonna be using it th most,,,an yes they are trikes,,but they are a little dangeious an very expensive,,,,,if you would like to know more,,,e-mail me an we can chat,i'll be glad to help eith way you wanna go with this,,,good luck an thank george bush for our gas prices

we souped up a vespa,,,an it would give a harley a hell of a run for th money

sorry but i'm not gonna talk you out of it....i have a bike myself and i love it. i just wish i lived in a state that have of a freedom of choice on the helmet thing. if it's your first bike i'd recommend a training/safety course...good luck!

i am scared to death of bikes..DON"T DO IT..if midlife crisis..get a smaller car with a bumpin' sound system..works like a charm

PA has a motorcycle safety class. All you need is a permit to take it. The class is completely free and they provide bikes to learn on. Once you complete the course they validate your permit to a regular licence. By taking the classes you'll get an idea if you really want to ride and what kind of bike you'd want and so on. If you take it and don't like it you're not out anything. Also, if you pass the course you'll usually get cheaper bike insurance.

The link for the course is http://www.pamsp.com/. If you have any other questions about it feel free to ask me :)

damn,,,that ant fair,,it cost about 300 bucks here in florida,,but i do think it helps with insurance,,,,but good luck eith wayyou chose

The type of bike you choose is really up to personal preference and how much you're willing to spend, but you also have to consider where you plan on riding. For instance, the PA riders course has 125 and 250cc bikes that are great for learning on, but are kinda limited. Real small bikes aren't bad for around the city or on country roads, but going on the turnpike is out of the question. They're harder for other traffic to see you, they're so light that the wind off of trucks can blow you right off of the road and if you manage to get it up to 65-70 mph the vibration is usually so bad that you'll keep feeling it 3 hours after get off!

Thanks everyone, but Beauty? Are you my sole voice of reason???

uj, you are not that far from me...I might hit you up for advice & ask if you'd help me shop!!! (OMG - tell me I am not seriously considering doing this). You, too, Joe...I may be asking for advice. What I may end up needing the most, however, is everyone's prayers !!!

I'd want to be able to get to work on it, so I'd need something that would do well on the interstate. Guess 'little' wouldn't work for me, eh uj?

I really was hoping for more folks who would talk me out of this, though !