Ed posted amessage about starting out with a CX 500 for learning.. hmm. I´ve been riding for A LOT of years, and CX´s take a little getting used to. For example, because they are transverse (sideways engine) So when you give it gas with the clutch in, it´ll torque to the right like a hotrod car does. BUT..When ya let out the clutch, it´ll suddenly snap up straight. The shaft drive counters the engine ( keeping it in balance while rolling ) It takes a lot of getting used to. Besides, they weigh A LOT. CX´s weigh in average, 200 pounds MORE than ANY modern bullet bike. Its a bit to deal with. The factory specs (and I weigh mine) are 500+ pounds. MOST bullet bikes are 3-400 pounds. Once you get used to a CX though, you´ll most likely never want anything else! :D EG: I´ve pulled rooster tails on freshly graded GRAVEL roads, all the way to 5th gear(redline) and it lifted dead straight, as where my buddys Yamaha took off sideways and almost put him in the ditch. I swear by ANY Honda´s, so don´t get me wrong. A 250 or CB400 is a killer starting point for learning to ride. I wish you the best of luck! KEEP riding..Even if ya dump it a few times..haha It happens to the best of us!! Don´t let it put you off like I´ve seen it do to many people. I do agree with Ed too, a cource never hurts, don´t be embarrased, it´ll save your life ! There´s NO shame in that.. k? Catch ya on the road if you´re ever in London,Ont! ;D ~Ghettoman! P.S) Ed´s right! Speed and being fooled that ya know what´s goin on at high speed is the #1 killer of learners..I lost some buddies to that.. (:( Don´t make that mistake. THANX! :D