Current Ride: Honda CBR

What can I say? I thought long and hard and really tried to do my research before committing to purchasing the "right first bike for me". While it was awfully tempting to go for the gold and purchase something brand spanking new, I suspected I would have some regrets going that route given I projected that I might...just might....drop the poor beast a few times or more as a newbie. Furthermore, even though I figured I was going to love this new endeavor, I wanted to first start with just getting my feet wet with something that had been previously loved and had already seen the first of a few nicks and scratches so the first ones would not be at my expense ;).

Thus my search for something relatively new-ish that wouldn't break the bank or lead me to soiling myself (no litre bike for me to start with) as I began to embark on my learning-how-to-ride and thereafter journey.

After countless hours of reading and searching, I finally decided that the Honda CBR seemed to fit the bill for me best. I also had a couple of dual sport models on my list but to start, I think the CBR was a solid choice. I think this overview is pretty spot on.

OK Obviously this isn't me and mine has some silver on it but isn't it a beaut for a 1st bike?

A decent seat heat for a newbie & vertically challenged gal? Check. Something fun yet forgiving? Check. Something I could likely find within 8 hrs of travel time in case I could not find something local? Check. Maybe an ABS model if available? Check. Good commuter for mpg that could handle ok on the highway? Check. Something that was not a cruiser (sorry cruiser folks, it's totally all good if that is how you roll but while doing my riding course on a little honda rebel type bike and feeling as though it & I were just on 2 totally different ends of the spectrum with no love for one another, I had a pretty strong inkling that the little CBR 125 that I got to play with for a while at the end of the training day would be more my "type". Right away I just felt like I "clicked" with that bike!)? Check.

After about 1 1/2 months of searching, lone behold my treasure appeared! While it would require a bit of a road trip to go get (aka 8 hr drive each way) enter in the trusty used (and in excellent condition) 2012 Honda CBR250R ABS for a relatively decent price. Hubby, I, and the pooch made a road trip out of it. I wasn't quite up to the idea of riding the little beastie home given my lack of riding proficiency at this point in time...2 days of an intro riding course for someone who has never ridden before was not exactly completely inspiring to me in terms of heading onto the highway/freeway and tackling the route through the Rockies...it also poured the whole way home so yup I was pretty happy with my initial decision lol.

And Ta-Da this is me the first time I took her out on the road. Not the greatest quality picture by far but I'm happy to have a memory of this moment in time as what a thrill it was (and still is of course)!