They are pretty forgiving for beginners. Finally got to ride mine today, after discovering the hard way that being loose on the bike and leaning is essential at just about any speed(dropped it right out in front of my house at about 1 mph) I fell in love with it and rode for another 28 miles with my dad with no issues at all. I made a few mistakes but none that the bike tried killing me for. I even rode through water running across the road on a corner without losing any sense of traction at all. Needless to say I'm in love. I've never known such freedom.

 

Got mine a couple of months ago (my first). 2004 with 16K miles. Paid $2700 and just got my insurance through Progressive tonight for $76/year (Spent the last two months in my garage doing maintenance. New spark plugs, all fresh fluids and brake pads, cleaned/lubed the chain, new air filter, and took all the fairings off including the top and cleaned inside and out.)

Here is a pic with my 3 yr old. My wife hates it, but my daughter LOVES it! Oh well, you can't please everyone! LOL

 

76$ a year??? ARG... I had cars, renters etc.. all with progressive. And when I had a little 500 kawi, they were 120. when I got the F4I they were 2200... I had no wrecks or tickets on record. I went with State Farm. 105$ a year first year, less next lol... full coverage.

 

damn thats cheap, how old are you? Where do you live? thanks