[spyglass]

1st bike?.....a new 180 Yam twin in '69, 6 mo later, traded "up" to a Kamakaize 500 triple, then 750, then 850, then 1100.....etc. I think had I gotten the 500 1st, I'dve been in trouble, but with that wild thing, almost was anyway.

2 things to consider....are you physically able to wrestle the bike you're considering around when it's standing still, to keep it from falling over and steer it around in the garage, parking lot, etc. Once underway, most bikes are relatively easy to turn, ride & stop. It's when you have stopped, with no gyro effect to keep it balanced, that things can become unwieldly if you haven't the strength and/or leverage to keep it upright, should it get away from you. Nearly everyone capable of riding can handle an 883 Low, 750 Shadow, etc, but get into the EG/Wing/Roadstar (etc) category it's a different game.

And second, until you're familiar enuf with the handling of bikes in general, stay away from anything with a lot of lowend power & a touchy throttle (as most of the newer fuel inj models have). Grabbing a handful of throttle in a lower gear when you don't mean to can quickly lead to a freezup and an almost certain collision with something....I've seen it happen a couple times in person and several in TV clips.

My 2 cts....