hiiii night rider.. dont know whether to sock u in the shoulder for pointing out my elderly status, or, grant you forgiveness since you're a "a fan old of ladies."...or broads, depending who you are on this site ..ha ha ha:popcorn: anyhoo, onto the feedback.. lol. it is a heavy bike. i'm only 5'2 and my toes touch the ground. yesterday was my 4th time on the vtr.. the first two times in large parking lots, getting used to the gears, then gradually picking my legs up, etc... standard, right? so friday was a huge step for me, getting on the fwy and such, 4th time on the bike. ironically i felt much safer, more comfortable on the fwy than street. probably bc im still clutching in first, and using hand break when stopped with right foot flat... as opposed to moving into nuetral and using the safer foot break when at stops. i think im using this bike to make myself more comfortable with sportsbikes since i might be turning that direction. i think i used my thighs and tummy to take pressure off my hands to avoid the tingling bc i have tendonitis... hence elderly status.. -kimberly