When I was about 9 or 10, Dad got us kids a minibike. My older brother protested that I couldn't ride it because I was a girl. Fortunately, my Dad never stopped me from doing or learning anything because I was a girl. I hopped on and rode.
I was a reckless driver in my youth, and even though I really wanted a motorcycle, I knew I would get myself into trouble sooner or later--and motorcycles aren't as forgiving as cars. My cousin wrecked every vehicle he owned for years, and when he got a bike he was no different. He broke a lot of bones in his mc crash.
Working as a nurse confirmed what I already knew: bikes were dangerous even if you weren't foolhardy. And so many bikers seemed foolhardy on the road: weaving, stunting, or just taking their half of the road on the very center stripe (still don't get why some do that). Add that they are hard to see or keep track of in my mirrors, and I was actually rather against motorcycles.
Fell in love with a marvelous man who had always wanted to ride. Pointed out everything in the previous two paragraphs, but he was not dissuaded. A nearby bikeshop was open as we were walking one evening, and they had a line of scooters: white, black, orange, and pink. So we went in. That's when we also saw our first small cruiser. Now, that, I could at least consider. Gave him the MSF course (for two

) for his birthday. Test rode a scooter, and suddenly, I was back on the minibike. Wheeee!! This was
fun!
So now, at 45, I'm in my first year on my 650cc V star. And it really is fun.