jack welcome to the board.
my tba was my third bike. i would recomend starting off with a beater bike and work your way up the 'sexiness' ladder. My first bike was an 84 kaw ltd 450, It was realatively lightweight, good speed, and it was no bigdeal when I did something stupid like put my kickstand through a storm grate (fyi don't do that). I would be considerably more upset if I did that to my new bonny.
I don't think your first bike would be a good bike to ride to portland but it would be a good bike to puzt around town and find acouple twisty roads in eastern wa.
One suggestions/request take the motorcycle safety class get your license and some time under your belt and then take the advanced riders course.
just my .02 good luck and welcome to the board.
capn
