I am not one to post regularly, but I was in your position 3 years minus the posting on forum’s part. I thought maybe my experience would help you.
I will say since I have started to ride I have learned a lot, I am also lucky I didn’t kill myself in the first year. I tried to ride with guys I had no business trying to keep up with, and it could have ended badly.
The best piece of advice one could give is take what you read with a grain of salt. No disrespect to everyone posting on here, but you (Royal Flush) have no idea what anyone’s background is or if they actually know what they are talking about. Don’t let yourself forget that. That being said there has been some very good advice given on this post. I personally agree with the: start small, the only one that cares about engine size is you, and watch out for insurance. There is probably more but I can’t think of it off the top of my head.
And there are lots of people on small bikes who could blow by a 600 or a liter bike any day of the week.
Check this vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz03sQeX02c
But if you’re getting a bike and only worried about how fast you can get it going don’t forget, the faster you are going, the faster that corner comes up, and the quicker your reaction needs to be if a deer comes out on the road, and the bigger the ticket you will likely get written. If you’re riding ability is not ready to handle the things you can’t predict that could be bad news.
So, all that being said, its great to see another rider out there, our sport and bike choice faces a lot of scrutiny and challenges, with new ones (challenges) being faced every day.
Be safe and ensure you ride within your means. The riding community is generally a great group.
Oh and if you looking at courses, check out the safety course at Loyalist College, not a long drive for you and shorter wait times as it’s the boonies.
That being said, to all riders who out there, keep it safe.