Thanks for the continuing feedback!
I just registered for my MSF course in Seattle in March (the soonest I could find). I have given some thought to starting out with a smaller bike for the first little bit - I've looked at Buell Blasts, Honda Rebels, and other similar bikes, but I'll hold off until the course so I can test ride a few.
It seems like most folks on this site have great faith in Triumphs as starters, based on experience. The same, it seems, cannot be said for other manufacturers - according to other forums. Is this a result of the nature of this site and Triumph enthusiasm? Or, do Bonnevilles, Americas, and so on offer some advantage, otherwise. Don't get me wrong, I've been searching high and low and haven't seen anything that makes me feel the way that Triumphs do... I just want to be the best rider I can be, and if that means I have to start out somewhere else, I will before I trash a work of art that I was over-eager about. God, it hurts already to think about not going with a Triumph ASAP... (I already have a Bob Dylan Triumph t-shirt - maybe I shouldn't say that out loud)
My plan is to spend a few days in Seattle (5 hours from Pullman) for the course, and spend the next couple of days hanging around and checking out bikes since there’s a shortage of shops around here.
I will check out all of those books and videos that have been mentioned so far. Thanks for the great input and warm welcome! Keep it coming with any more thoughts.
Jack
