Originally Posted by
ian
Matt
truely, why do you want a bike ?
is it economical transport or do you have visions of joining a motor cycle club like the Hell's Angles, Desparados, or Coffin Cheaters.
your description of the proposed bike and the reason for getting that model suggests to me the latter — I wouldn't mind betting the family's opposition is really about "we don't want our son/brother turning into a bikie gang member who never washes, is covered in tatts and deals in drugs"
as to your choice of a first bike, locally you can't legally ride a bike like you describe until you've held your bike licience for 2 or 3 years. From memory the limit is 250cc.
the reasoning being that learning to ride and dodge the potholes, oil patches, loose bits of cardboard, painted line markings, pavement reflectors, etc and avoid the idiot/blind/irresponsible car drivers, and second guess all other road users is a process that continues for some years after you are deemed a sufficiently competent not to need Learner (= give me a wide berth) plates
If I may be frank, reading some of what you've posted suggests, at least to me, that you are not a person prepared to ignore minor trangressions. Rather you are a person who will insist on enforcing your rights or will respond in kind to a transgression no matter how minor — I'm not being critical but if you carry that attitude with you while riding a bike, the dude in the truck will just run you over.
Think about it
take care of yourself and get a big bike after you've learnt all there is to know about handling a smaller one.
ian