Originally Posted by
ISP James
there isnt a lot of space in my budget to buy anything too nice/new (we bought a new house in nov and we have a baby on the way...)
...
my father in law has a 200cc Honda, its like a 1980... i am more comfortable on that, perhaps subconsciously because i know it isnt as heavy or powerful... anyway he just got a porsche so i think the bike will take a backseat, i am going to see if i can "borrow" it for a few weeks, get some experience and get my confidence up and then give my bike a go again...
Congrats on the baby!
If you feel more comfortable learning on a lower displacement bike, you could sell the Magna,use the $$$ towards something different.
Maybe the previous body style, 250cc Ninja?
Now for the obligatory "responsible" advice:
You've got a wife, mortgage, and kiddo on the way. You're already uncomfortable riding. By it's nature, motorcycling carries a higher risk of injury/death.
You're main issue was not being able to find the time to ride and practice your skills. All your "free" time will go out the window once the kiddo is born.
At this point, it seems to me that:
Wife, Mortgage, baby on the way > risk of motorcycling
Maybe it would be a good idea to stop motorcycling for now. Pick it back up once things "settle" down.
It's up to you to decide what's an "acceptable" level of risk given your situation. I just give this cautionary advice because you have a kid on the way, and I'd feel like a complete jerk for intentionally not bringing it up.