I bought my first motorcycle in 1988:
A 1981 Kawasaki CSR 650.
Never had ridden a day on my life before. Once I did, I was hooked.
I rode it everywhere, everyday, rain or shine. Even rode in a snowstorm once, used my feet as outriggers.
I owned that bike until 1990, and sadly had to sell it because I lost a place to store it.
Never had another until May of this year~ enter the 2002 Savage 650!
After a sit down with the mrs to discuss my commute to work, and the cost of fuel, [20 miles, one way] we discussed a motorcycle as an alternative, but we could not afford new, nor anything over about 3 grand.
I took to Craigslist, and scoured the net.
After not riding for 27 years, I knew that I didn't want a big bike to get back in, but would go no less than 650cc.
I found the "silver bullet" in Windham Maine, only 5150 miles and garage kept. One owner, never in the rain. The owner was fanatical about the cleanliness of the bike, and at 65, decided that he was going to/ a big scooter, rather than a bike to get around on nice days.
I bought it without even riding it, just based on it's immaculate condition.
Changed all the fluids, and checked the brakes, and I was off! I've got a new set of Shinko 230's on the way.
We all know that the Savage is not the fastest bike, nor the same class as the bigger cruisers, but there's a balance, a synchronicity if you will, that can be developed with the Savage due to it's light weight and nimble-ness.
At 53, I ride every day that weather permits, and relish in the 55mpg she delivers!