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I've been riding since I was 11 or so and I got my "M" endorsement the "old-fashioned way" - you know, take a buddy with a motorcycle license, your motorcycle, a car, half a day off for you and your buddy...and go get tested...what a PAIN...! But I understand that it's different now. I took the MSF class with my Dad when he decided to give it a shot. The insurance discount was nice. It started literally at the lowest level and gave good info. Mine was a two-day class...and wouldn't you know that it was snowing and also raining, with freezing rain sometimes? LOL Hey, learn in what you might ride in. My only complaint was that the instructor didn't teach countersteering - I brought it up in class and he tried to fumble his way out of it...not sure why, that's the easiest way to initiate a turn. My favorite part was the "Figure 8 of death" - OK, well, that's my nickname for it...but we all were riding in a figure 8 without stopping, that was pretty cool.

So many different brands/styles to choose from - I guess it all boils down to what you like to ride and how you like to ride. A dirtbike (or a street-legal dirtbike) wouldn't be a bad thing to start out on - it will teach you all the basics plus you'll know how to handle a streetbike when it gets out of control...like when the back end skids out from power and/or excessive braking...or if you grab too much front brake...alot softer/easier to go down on dirt than pavement. Just my thoughts as someone who started in dirt and still occasionally rides in dirt. I'm between streetbikes right now...every few years I get the itch...kind of have a hankering for a standard/naked bike right now. The last scooter was a Honda VTX 1800 Retro, it was fun!