Thanks for all the warm welcomes. I'm scheduled to take my safety course on May 1st and 2nd. I do have a long driveway, but only long enough for 1st gear.
So far I've still gone faster on my bicycle than my motorcycle! I have plenty of armor plating, as I am close enough to Boston to be on the fringes of the "Retahd Zone." I have a jacket with all kinds of pads and plates and whatnot, a pair of Draggin' Jeans with some plastic inserts, a full-face helmet, and gloves.