So I finally found my first motorcycle. After looking for a bike for over a year, I ended up getting it from a neighbor that lives right around the corner. I”ve noticed the bike sitting parked on the sidewalk in front of his place for at least 14 months but I never bothered to stop and ask if it was for sale. It wasn”t until this past May that I finally saw the guy outside and stopped him to inquire about the old Honda. The conversation went pretty quickly but I managed to get the important details like the fact that he was going to sell it, how he only wanted $400 for it, and that a new front tire would be part of the deal. I wasn”t exactly sure if I wanted it because, while he said the bike would run, he was unable to start it for me at the time. Anyway, long story short: We settled on $300 for the bike because he couldn”t get it running. On May 20th he helped me push the bike around the corner to my place and he handed over the keys. I told him I would stop by his place once I got it running and give him updates on the bikes progress. He seemed to feel good about selling the bike to someone that was going to fix it up. I felt good because I spent a helluva lot less than I planned on spending on my first bike. Also the previous owner (PO) came across like a nice guy who didn”t want to sell a lemon. On the Day I got the bike, I emailed my dad with a few pictures. What is it with people and motorcycles? Either they’re totally for them or they’re totally against them. My dad rode motorcycles when he was about my age and used to talk about it all the time when I was growing up. Now he says things like, “I wouldn’t ride out in traffic now, it’s too dangerous!” and “That’s not smart.” Well, of course it’s dangerous! All too often we read about how someone got themselves killed on a motorcycle for one reason or another. It’s the same thing whether you’re driving a car, motorcycle or bass boat. You have to be careful and assume everyone around you is out to get you. I’m not saying I’m the safest driver on the road but I think I will be as safe as I can be on a motorcycle. I get the “You’re going to kill yourself” routine from others close to me. All I can do is show them that I can be a safe and by taking the MSF defensive rider course. I can understand where they’re coming from but I guess I don’t like it because I feel like they’re attacking my judgement. I know they’re actually just concerned about me and don’t want anything bad to happen but I have to admit that it does sting a little. I’m sure I’ll get over it as I’m crusing down the road with the wind in my face.  :-) Don’t get me wrong, not everyone is down on my new project. I have more than a few friends that are as excited or almost as excited as I am about having a bike. To each their own I guess.