I'll add that my '04 Speedmaster is my first bike as well and haven't ridden a motorcycle in 15 years or so. I too had taken the MSF class a few weeks before buying and my only in-traffic driving prior to picking it up was two different test rides at the Triumph dealership (man, they must be brave...).
I had a 45 mile ride home from the where the previous owner lived, so I had no other choice than to ride it home (well, I suppose I could have found someone else to ride it, or have it towed). To top it off, there was no way I was going to avoid the freeway, but I sayed on a back road as long as possible and was firmly planted in the far right lane the entire ride home with my wife following in our car.
One of the requirements when I was buying the bike was the my wife was comfortable riding it as well - it's a bike we'll be sharing for awhile. Unfortunately, if you've read the Misc. tech forum, my wife's first time in-traffic on the bike didn't end well. Although, it really had nothing to do with traffice, but I think she needed a little more empty lot practice to get a feel for the bike.
She got back on the bike yesterday and was out for 30 minutes or so, I have a feeling she'll be sticking to back road and parking lots for awhile.
