I bought my first bike in early 2003 -- a new Yamaha V-Star Classic (650cc) -- and took the MSF course very shortly thereafter before taking mine on the street. My previous experience was a few lessons on my stepdad's older Honda Hawk, courtesy of stepdad.

My insurance runs a little over $400 a year for the Yamaha -- of course, I'm a girl, a little older than you I think (32), and a fairly clean record. A younger man on a higher-cc bike will be paying a lot more, I'm sure. The bike itself cost $5800 new. The only thing I would have done differently would be to buy cheap and used to start with, perhaps, rather than new; you won't know exactly what sort of bike you want long-term anyway until you've ridden a few for a few miles. I would also have bought liquid-cooled; air-cooled bikes get awfully hot when you're sitting in stop and go traffic. Then again, it's another system that can fail.

What you're talking about is certainly doable, and as long as you're trained, careful, and alert, it's pretty safe. Your safety is very much up to you, your ability to be vigilant, and your judgment and discretion. You can certainly learn at the MSF course, then spend some heavy time in parking lots, then on less-busy streets at quiet times of the day. Budget a fair amount for a good helmet and gear, and spend a lot of time in the store wearing your helmet before you buy. Pressure points on a helmet don't make themselves evident until you've worn it a while, and once you walk out of the store with helmet in hand, it is not returnable. And always wear your gear -- don't be one of those dimwits riding around in shorts, a tshirt, and flip-flops.

I started commuting to work in Atlanta traffic, 50 miles daily round-trip, after I had a few hundred miles on the bike. Now I commute fairly often, weather permitting, and have over 4000 miles on the bike.

Service intervals depend on the bike. Mine required first service at 600 or 800 miles, thereafter at 4,000 miles.

Well I'm a 19 year old male with 6 points but do get a good student discount My insurance would go from 3k to 1k a year and when you make as little as I do it's a major amount of money. Hey I could paint my car with that.
I really have been thinking a lot about buying a bike and rebuilding it that way I can learn everything. (Same thing I did with the 528e) I also started thinking about it and I need to vist my uncles former co-worker because he has a shop and is HUGE on Indian motorcycles (does fabrication, restoration etc) See if he knows of any good bikes locally and if he is willing to take on a apprentice on my days off.
Also i did read the Hurt report and I was aware of the risk, I can't say it doesnt bother me but I will die one way or another it's a fact of life and luck. Also bought a book called "profficent Motorcycling" to do some reading on the subcejt.

http://www.thumperpage.com/articles/SRSR500.html

My SR never looked this good. An simple bike to work on,
slow and light for learning to ride. Plus you get the
great thumper sound and great MPG.

Real bikes don't have electric starters!

Dave