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I was just recently in that situation. Now, what I ended up doing IS NOT what I recommend to anyone, but in this case, it worked for me.

I had gotten the motorcycle bug over half a year ago but, it being winter, couldn't take the MSF course until about a month ago. So, I filled the time getting my bike 'fix' by trying to decide what kind of ride I should get. I had been going to many dealerships for over six months in my area, looking at all bikes and studying what kind of bike, make of bike, etc. I wanted. I got to be unofficially known as the guy who always came in but never bought anything. In the course of doing that, the sales guys all knew me and what I was about (no-license newbie).

After the course, I knew what kind of bike I wanted (cruiser) and approached the dealership I was most comfortable with (and the sales guy who gave me the most advice, etc. He deserved my business after all the advice he patiently gave me). I told him it was time. I also didn't want to wait too long after my course because I didn't want to lose the little bit of skill I had.

So, since they 'knew' me, I felt it was okay (and it was with them) to ask for a test ride, at least on a used bike. They let me and the bike I picked to do that was an '06 Suzuki C50.

The C50 is an 800 CC bike and was definitely the most powerful machine I had ever ridden. I was, at first, intimidated but I decided to go through it methodically, pretending it was the first stages of the MSF course.

So, with the machine running and waiting for me, I calmly asked the sales guy if there was 'anything special' I needed to know about this bike. No, not really, but he pointed out all the obvious things, which served as a quick recap of things I learned at the MSF course.

I tested the friction zone and took off slowly (the sales guy had gone inside by then and didn't see what I was doing).

I went around the parking lot a bit, resembling my time in the course. After about 3-5 minutes, I took the bike down a quiet street and found my comfort with the bike.

It being a used bike, the sales guy gave me free reign as to the number of miles to put on the bike, as long as I was back by 6:00 (his quiting time).

I then took the bike on a more busy street and found something interesting: I was totally at ease! Maybe it was the fact that I've been driving on streets in cars and trucks for over 30 years, but I found I was comfortable among all those 2000 lbs bullets. I ended putting on more than 10 miles on that test bike and felt totally at ease by the time I came back to the dealership. No, I didn't take it over 50 mph but I would have taken that methodically, too, if I needed to, willing to keep it in my comfort zone.

So, this is a long-winded way to tell you that a test drive gave me confidence to get my bike home. Again, I'm not recommending it to all of you, but it may be an option.

I just bought a Honda VLX 600 Deluxe and I'm planning on picking it up from the dealer tomorrow morning. I'm sure that the advice to have the dealer trailer it home is good, but I'm not going to take it, at least not exactly.

My plan tomorrow is to have a friend drop me off at the dealer when they open. The dealer is on a busy street, but is also has another exit into a quiet residential area with a school. I'm going to take the bike into that nice quiet residential area, go to the parking lot at the school and spend some time getting used to my new friend. I'll replicate the exercises from the Basic Rider course until I have a good idea of my abilities on the new bike. By this time I'll have passed the rush hour period as well as spent some time getting used to riding a larger bike.

If after doing that I don't feel 100% confident on my ability to safely drive my bike home I'll go back to the dealer and pay him to trailer it to my apartment after he closes for the day. Of course, this assumes that I'll be able to think rationally aftwards and not be giggling like a japanese schoolgirl, but that's a risk I'll have to take.

Tex

I might end up going through this when I get my bike, Ninja 250. It's a 24 mile ride but there is a back road to my home city which has very few people and I might go that way if they don't deliver.

Short update. I did end up riding my bike home, but followed my plan. I rode in the neighborhood to get past the major stalls and learning curve on the clutch. I then practiced shifting and cornering in another isolated set of streets. Then I went to a parking lot a practiced low speed turns.

After all that I very carefully rode home the rest of the way in non-peak hours. I succeeded, I didn't die, drop the bike or pull any other "stupid". I do not attribute this to skill, but trepidation, planning, and a good dose of luck.

Tex

I bet I can top everybody's ride home, extract from my blog about two weeks ago

"The ride home was nerve-wracking. This was the first time I'd ever rode on the streets and been over 30mph. It was amazing, but I couldn't relax because I was nervous. That will pass I know. Anyway, I make it home just fine and pull into the drive way. I turn it off and take a look at the bike... wow she looks great. My wife walks around the corner to look at the beauty and proceeds to inform me... IT'S THE WRONG BIKE! Ahh sh*t! Yep, I'd just drove the 3 miles home on a brand new black Honda shadow spirit. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I picked laughing and swearing. I immediately called Wes (sales guy) who informed me to get my "O Ring" back to the dealership pronto. I guess I was just so excited and nervous I got on the nearest black Honda shadow. There were 3 all next to each other, all black... *cough*"

I am scheduled to take the MSF in 2 weeks.

I've been "lurking" around -- but was not planning on buying a bike till I completed the MSF. Well --- low and behold I found a 1995 Honda Shadow 600VLX -- with only 4K miles, some accessories (straight pipes, sissy bar, windshield) garage kept, never dropped and in almost new condition. Best of all was that the price is what I was well within the range I was looking to spend for my first ride -- actually less than I expected to spend ($1,600) (1 scratch near the right passenger footpeg and some minor pitting on the chrome mirrors.) It was posted on Craigslist.com -- and I was fortunate enough to see the posting within a 1/2 hour of it being posted.

The only problem was --- it was 100+ miles from my home - and most of it highway - some very heavily congested.

I consider myself extremely lucky -- My mechanic -- who is also an avid rider -- offered to go with me on his day off to check out any bike that I might want and to ride it home.

So -- we took the trip -- checked it out -- and it is now sitting (patiently - the bike -- not me) for me to take and complete the MSF.

One suggestion -- if you are looking at a used bike (my opinion -- due to the advice received on this site and in talking to others -- this is the way to go for a first bike) see if you can get someone experienced to check out the bike -- just like you would a car -- and if you decide you want it -- have them ride it home for you.

I just have to keep reminding myself -- patience, patience, patience. I feel like a kid in a candy store -- with a dollar that is burning a hole in his pocket.

So to all looking for advice ............. Be safe. Cost should not be an issue when it comes to your safety. Do what is comfortable for you -- and remember -- PATIENCE.

Think it would help if you sat on it and made "vroom" noises? Probably not.

Kudos for waiting to take the course before riding your new bike. I would have been hard pressed to wait, I bought a bike within a week of completing the BRC even after telling myself there was no hurry. But I was not strong enough to resist my Honda VLX 600 DLX. Oh, and nice choice for a first bike, of course I'm biased...

Tex

No -- would just want to make me ride it even more.

I have however started it and vroooom vrooomed it a couple of times. Sounds real nice with the straight pipes.

I also have the stock pipes -- and debated whether to put them on. So far I'm leaning to the louder Vroom Vrooom

You know you have the bug bad when you start planning how to modify your bike, before you've even rode it!

Tex

Yes -- I've got it bad.

I hope that I can eventually get my wife to take the MSF and ride and ride as well.

I'm thinking that in a couple of years this would be a perfect bike for her - if I decide to get a bigger one.