I started riding only a couple of years ago after my partner died, I decided that life was too short. Plus I hadn't been allowed to ride before that. hahaha
I bought myself a 2003 Honda Shadow American Classic Edition. Similar to the one in the picture except mine was all red and chrome. I loved that bike.
Unfortunately last summer I slid it off the highway. I hadn't eaten all day and we had been riding for hours. I zoned out and was onto the shoulder before it registered that it was a corner. I was very lucky as it was a soft shoulder and I was wearing all my gear. A couple of broken ribs a small bit of road rash on the hip and the expensive repairs (I didn't want to go through insurance as a new rider, it would have cost me more in the long run).
When I first started riding I took a course that the guys recommended. They had a lot of women there and they were excellent. It helped a lot.
I sold my bike before my move and was gong to replace it when I got out here but now I am moving back and most likely won't have time to ride for a while with all that is going on there. I will ride again though.
I would like something a bit smaller, I have weak hands and I struggled under the weight of that bike.