March 5, 2010 7:55 AM PST
Practice, practice, practice! I got my first bike, 1982 Yamaha Virago 920, before I even learned to ride or got a permit (a friend test rode it and helped me load it, my son-in-law unloaded it for me at home and gave me my first lesson). I put 400 miles on (at under 45 MPH...lol) before taking the safety course and getting my endorsement...and haven't looked back since! After putting over 15,000 miles on my first bike, I traded up to my present bike, a Honda VTX 1300. I have put over 60,000 miles on it in under 4 years, including riding to work every day in heavy traffic in downtown Phoenix. The more you ride the better you get. I agree with what several others said here, ride at your own pace with someone you trust, where there isn't much traffic, and practice the basics constantly until you are comfortable. In no time at all you will wonder why you were ever nervous!
