if i was starting over again i would buy something super cheap and ride it for a year. then go out and get something nice. i learned on my brothers 650 shadow. two years later i got a suzuki sv1000s. wheelie machine. as far as the lic. goes in ny you get a permit first. you can ride on a permit as long as there is someone else riding next to you that has a lic. that doesnt mean ride up to strangers. pick a friend and practice. gl