1- Take the MSF course. Yes, you've been riding dirt forever but streets are totally different. Everyone learns something at the MSF course.
2- Safety gear for when (not if) you go down. ATGATT (wear All The Gear All The Time) Helmet, gloves, jacket, pants and boots. Don't crash in your wifebeater and shorts because you had to adjust your flipflop.
3- Ride like everybody is braindamaged and out to kill you.
4- Buy lots and lots of chrome, leather and oh wait you don't have a HD. :-)

Fritz

05 Kawasaki KLR650

 

Here ya go D

http://powersports.honda.com/Motorcy...R7&w=829&h=634

or

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Detail.aspx?id=207

Sorry - thread jack off

 

like has been said, wear your gear! My brother in law was wearing his both times he was hit (remember someone said ride as if the world is out to get you? remember that) and the gear saved him from road rash but first time broken collarbone and fractured shoulder blade, second accident broke the other collar bone in two places, broke his elbow, and hurt everywhere (the bike actually flipped through the air a few times with the second accident, it got messed up). One of his friends has broken both collarbones a few times and both of these guys are going away from street bikes and have harleys now (though the friend still has his stunt bike).

Just use your head and be smooth with everything (snap the handlebar, grab the brake too hard too fast, or dump the clutch at 7,000rpm and no good will come of it).

 

Nice ride bro. I have been a long time Honda rider. 1st was a Magna 500, then the 750 magna, then the VTX1800. All were amazing machines. Pics of the last 2 below. Go to the MSF course, wear your gear, and ride fun!

 

Nice. As many have said...Take the MSF course, wear your gear and enjoy yourself.

 

I wear an Alpinestars ballistic jacket with built in pads, a $385 helmet, some Joe Rocket gloves, and boots that go over my ankles. Thus far I've only used it to go to work. I have the MSF scheduled for next month (they're booked out that far). I am learning a lot more about how to handle the bike on the street each time I ride. I am having a lot of fun though. Oh, it may not be an HD, but at least it won't leak oil all the time.

Happy riding folks.

 

I'd much rather have my non-running '80 CBF than a Harley. Well, I wouldn't mind one of the new Night Rods.