The choice to ride motorcycle is fairly easy, walk into the local dealership and buy the model that you feel good on and can afford, to include the insurance. Next would be to determine what is needed to become an endorsed motorcycle operator. In Oklahoma, there are a few ways available to you.

The easiest is to read up online the Operators Driving Manual (http://www.dps.state.ok.us/dls/dlfaq.htm) and motorcycle manual (http://www.dps.state.ok.us/dls/pub/MOM.pdf), then go down to your friendly Department of Safety (DPS) office and take their test. We you passed, you can schedule for an operator test where the DPS folks follow behind you with a transmitter giving you instructions on where to turn, signal, etc.

Before you go out on the road, your motorcycle will be inspected to ensure safety and compliance with current vehicle codes (http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/index.asp?ftdb=STOKST47&level=1), this would be a good time to make sure the turn signals, headlights, horn, brake lights, etc. all operate as designed from the manufacturer. Another way is to get into an Experienced Rider Course with the License Waiver test. Here's a one-day course on your bike, with breaks for discussions throughout the day. At the end, there's a simple written and riding evaluation and the card should be accepted at all DPS locations for waiver of the riding portion of the endorsement process. Yous till need to take the written test, but now you're much better prepared for it.

The final option, is if you are unsure if making the move to become a motorcycle operator is for you, is to take a Basic Rider Course. Here's a course on the providers bikes (or your own if the engine size is small enough) spread out over two to three days. The classroom portions go more in depth into the controls, operations, and risk management of operating a motorcycle. Even though four-wheeled vehicles have evolved with crumple zones, airbags, etc., a motorcycle is limited to how effective such devices are in terms of complexity and types of crashes such devices help to mitigate injuries from.

Operating any two-wheeled internal-combustion powered vehicle is more stressful then a four wheeled vehicle. If you make a slight mistake in a four wheeled vehicle, you can recover, no problem. On a two wheeler, the consequences are much more serious. The skills you acquire over time can degrade over time with many studies showing six months to be the magic number and some stretching that time to three years. Insurance companies will usually give the discount for any formal course within two to three years, so plan accordingly to keep the course in you future plans, even if you already have an endorsement.