There's a guy here at work, about 2 years ago he asked me for advice on a good starter bike. I gave him the 10 minute elevator speech for sport touring, but it really depends. What kind of riding do you want to do? track days? commute? park and polish? What is it that you want?
He said he liked my bike, read my blog about rallies and trips and thought that looked like fun, but thought the FJR was too big for a starters bike.
I agreed, and sent him links and a list, FZ6, Kawi Versus, lots of other good starter options out there for complete n00bs.
Then he shows up with Harley 1200 Sportster, shortly after with the matching leather jacket, boots, gloves, beanie, etc. He even has a Harley branded laptop case. He's gone complete pirate. Doesn't wear his beanie because you know, helmets can be unsafe and all that and he loves his loud pipes.
I will give him credit though he does commute, quite often, and even in bad weather and on occasion on days when I've elected not too. He's ridden in sub freezing temperatures and in the rain. It's about a 10 mile commute for him. So there is that. He's committed.
I think his longest day so far has been around ~100 miles, and I'll likely ride more miles on memorial day weekend than he will all year. But I do give him credit for actually riding, er at least riding consistently if even not very far.
It is sad though that we lost one to the dark side :/