The scooter/bike drill, then -
First - glad too! that The Meat wasn't processed in this little prang.
Sorta second A Scott's suggestion re a scooter, but only as a first thought.
Modern ones are much more roadworthy (but not nearly as Great Art as was my Lambretta LD-125.)
but then.. summarizing the usually lengthy dissection of scooters VS cycles:
(And the same argument via which I traded by Lambretta for a 500 cc Matchless Twin, as led to ___ and __ __ __ )
On the off-chance that you might ackshully seriously consider pocketing for yourself.. the US Car Tax for a period [??] herewith a few short-form comments on the idea.
The physics of the matter muchly favors the CG, overall handling and other attributes of a large-wheel real cycle. Whatever inherent skillz you discover you have (or.. find out you lack, somewhat) - a competently piloted, properly maintained cycle wins all the Issues of handling, stopping, bumps, cornering yada.
Trouble with modrin scooters too, is that the entry price has moved Upscale to match the dilettantes. Used but clean - even several years old - can be Just Fine. IMhO - Imric's solution is (was?) almost exactly what I'd have recommended for someone who's interested in reliable, safe simple operation.. and not so much in sailing through the swervery for sport and consciousness training. But it will do that nicely, too.
The size of his 250 cc is just Right, as it keeps the WEIGHT down - you really do not want to learn, from tyro-status - on something 400+ pounds. Not that you couldn't learn the basics as well: but less weight gives you more meat-power (literally) to manhandle the plot - thus more confidence - on the rare occasion where that might matter. This specially, if you find self trying out some simple off-road trails sometime.
Dunno what a Kawa as clean as that would cost today, but I'd opine that you need nothing more exotic to be a happy camper, break 50 mpg, go as fast as you want, and Yes: even find that getting caught in the rain (with a poncho/rainsuit along) is not what every weeenie imagines.
I'd have considered offering my cherry '81 KZ-550 to you at IWE-rates, but.. it is set up more as a 'cafe racer', thus monkey-on-stick riding position, special floating-iron front brake disk, etc. ie kitted out for fun and games. You just don't need 52 BHP. The Kawa or other brand 250 would be a much better fit, would be more maneuverable at v-slow speeds, especially while learning. Any 4-cylinder machine would present less lo-speed torque and will never be as suited to just plonking around as.. that cute, well-designed twin.
HTH,
moi
PS BTW - in case you dont't know shit: it's fucking FUN!
Cycles keep the little grey cells tuned up, the synapses defragged and overall.. cancel out the negatory effects of spending far Too MUCH time in a body-numbing sedentary CRT-mind-meld.
(And the new 'cars' are simply that exact same Couch, outfitted for the road, for potatoe comfort \ufffdber alles.)
