Ride around and enjoy yourself and you'll meet other guys and gals with lots of connections, trailers, and knowledge.  He's not the only biker boyfriend on the block.
As for bags, well mounted saddle-bags are very practical if you like the look.  I don't, so I take an over the shoulder man-bag if I plan on shopping,.. if I'm caught off guard, I still find a way to get it home.  I've ridden with two loaves of bread stuffed under my t-shirt.  ...It's like an edible airbag.

I have an "RV Roadhelp" plan sold through Allstate Motor Club. It covers every motor vehicle we own, including motorcycles. The phone number on the card is 800-786-2277. It claims to pay for the tow to the nearest facility qualified to work on whatever vehicle you are driving. It paid to tow my old motor home over 50 miles. When my KLR 650 developed a flat, the nearest open motorcycle shop was something like 60 miles away. In due time two guys with a pickup truck and a motorcycle trailer, and tiedowns, appeared. They took the bike and me to the dealership, and there was no charge to me other than the repair. I'd have to ask my wife, but it seems to me the charge is something like $100 per year. We have kept that policy specifically because it covers the motorcycles. Every so often we get offers from one or another auto club, but we haven't found another that covers bikes. I understand others do exist.

think if you have AAA for your cage you can get bike policy
get a bungie net or two =more better than cords then decide on bags
if you know which end of a screwdriver to use you can peform basic maintaince with your clymers and a good set of tools..i can do it but i pay the dealer to adjust my valves..
do my own oil changes
as far as the ex: "cows may come and cows may go but the bull goes on forever" < translate(edit) as you wish
take a nice ride to a senic spot come home and toast his departure with a double shot and move one(ride first double after bike is put to bed)
edit/p.s. take a scoot up to napa valley and spend the nite at a winery   with a b&b

Blissing,
 Did you take the Motorcycle safety course???  If not, take it, it will help a lot.  You will also meet other new bikers that would probably be willing to go on some rides with you ( if you don't go too fast for them  ....   )

T Mack

Blissing wrote on 06/26/08 at 17:23:30:

Steered you to a rather nice bike -- if you ever run into him, back up and run over him again and thank him.

 When I went on my little 2300 mile putt the Wife added me to her AAA.  In Texas I pulled up to a MacDonalds, opened my laptop, got a WiFi signal, went in for lunch and to update the internet.  About a hour later a gentleman mentioned I had left my lights on (key in ignition, on position, SIGH!)  Called AAA, got a jump, all the guy wanted to see was my AAA card.  They also fix things, if they can't fix they'll tow upto 100 miles.  Free of charge.

I have Leatherlyke saddlebags -- panniers actually since they are hard cases that only look like leather.  18 quart / 20 pound capacity each side.  Can be removed and replaced in just a few seconds.  And they LOCK, which is a pretty big deal in the city with Light-Finger-Louie walking past.  $430, but I've had them 3.5 years, have laid the bike on it's side and they held the bike up, and they still look good.  A bag will hold a five-liter box of wine.  ALSO have a couple of bungie cords hooked to rear fender lip up across around sissybar, across to fender lip. (makes an XX.)  For things too bulky for the bags -- such as a case of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.  For touring I have a 21" carry-on suitcase that slips onto the sissybar: http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=tech;action=display;num=1177262289

The MC makes a FANTASTIC shopping cart.  At Ralph's I pull up onto the sidewalk beside the door, assuming the employee with the 'Wing isn't there.  Other places use the painted triangle at the end of the parking lane, next to the cart corral, etc..   None of this hunt for a space nonsense.  Only one complaint in over three years, and I'll not go back to Wallmart due to one of their underpaid employees with delusions of authority.

p.s. Also have a Laptop Backpack -- my laptop doesn't fit the saddlebag.

Thanks, people!

I will look into AAA and see what they say about towing help.

Also get a bungee net and look into those saddlebags.  

I will pick up liquor and wine on my bike.  And my toast will be "good riddance".

I've taken the MSF course, and I want to take the more advanced one, just need to rack up the miles.

(The hardest part) I will try to meet people!  I'm really such a loner.  

And I haven't been on the freeway yet!  Thanks again.

Hey Blissing I am a new rider at 50. But I got mine after I broke up with my ex.  

I joined Motorcycle Towing Service - the AAA of motorcycles - since KY AAA doesn't do motorcycles. In California you have it better  than we do.

I have saddlebags but right now I left my Dowco overnighter bag on the bike and I think I like it even better! I can thrown in my work clothes and other stuff just fine without the risk of getting them dirty. it also holds plenty of groceries for just me. In my saddlebags I also carry a cargo net that I can throw on stuff on the pillion seat if I need to.

I was really nervous about the freeway until I did my trip last week. Now it's not big deal - unless of course I'm here at home. KY drivers are the worst ever! 2000 miles on interstate and no problems with drivers until I got 15 miles back outside of Louisville.

just be careful and know that there are loads of people here for help and support.