As someone who has been riding for 50 years I will tel you the same thing I tell everyone considering learning to ride after 35 years old. Don’t do it. Especially a commute like that. If you were going to ride 95% off road, maybe.
Stay off motorcycles and stay off pavement. There is only so much you can do to protect yourself and you are late to the game to learn even that. People on 4 wheels are ************** and have no consideration for motorcycles.
Worst life advice ever. I try to respect my elders, but my limited 44 years have taught me never to listen to someone like you. That's the advice of someone who has given up on their own learning.
mnwanders, I interpreted Jupeter58's post a bit differently than you did. I worry about new riders regardless of their age. I'm glad you are taking a safety course. I've been riding for 39 years, and I can tell you that I haven't given up on my own learning, and I think as with anything you should learn to walk before you run. Heck, I started riding dirt bikes at 50 so I'm definitely still learning.
From your original post it feels like you want to leap into motorcycling to include commuting via interstate, and side streets. This is where my concern would be. I've been commuting on and off on my moto for all my riding life. It's really really dangerous vs riding dirt roads exploring or just riding around side streets. You have to keep your head on a swivel, trust no one, and anticipate the numerous hazards. This comes with time in the saddle and becomes second nature. Unlike a car where you are protected, a minor accident can be fatal.. Our situational awareness level on a bike is way higher than in a car, and requires full time focus. Even though bicycling covers some of this it's only part of the type of awareness you develop on a faster machine like a motorcycle.
Whenever a friend tells me they want to start riding the first thing I say to them is similar to Jupiter58's response and try to talk them out of it. I know multiple people who have died on motorcycles. Their experience levels varied from novice to expert. I just started teaching Mrs Cabrito to ride our new scooter, but I'm terrified for her on the streets because she does not possess the knowledge or skills that I do. I could tell immediately that her situational awareness is the biggest problem. She is an excellent driver with no accidents, and drives her Miata like we ride our motorcycles. I thought some of this would translate to the scooter, but had to keep reminding her to check her corners for other vehicles. Granted it was her first lesson in a parking lot, but I could tell it's going to take some time.
Listening to podcast or music isn't something I would recommend at first. I was totally against it until the last ten years, but I turn it off when I'm splitting lanes, or riding in congested situations. I learned right away how distracted I can be with music egging me on to ride faster to match the intensity of the song, or loosing myself in a podcast and realizing that I hadn't paid attention to the road consciously for the past few minutes or longer.
On your DRZ400 your braking times are different from a car, and you passing ability on the interstate can be reduced vs a car.
We just want to you be safe and to live. Being cocky (not saying you are) about getting on a moto can get you into a lot of trouble fast, believe me I've seen it from even the most level headed and responsible new riders. Overcook a turn and you're toast, overcook a turn on an onramp or not seeing a patch of oil can give you a bad day quick. Swerving to avoid another car and not realizing there's someone else near you can end up in you hitting someone else. So many variables when riding street. Way too many to list. Not anticipating a slowdown can get you stacked up on the back of a car or sideswiping a car or object as you try to avoid the slowdown. I've tagged bumpers more than once by not leaving enough space between me and the other cars, and then having to try to avoid them and squeeze through a tight space. I hit one with my foot and my knee on different occasions because I got sloppy.
Act invisible to other cars, and don't rely on Hi-Viz gear or loud horns or pipes to alert other drivers to your presence. They don't car and or they don't see you.
Get some good gear for the interstate and city riding. I've spent hours with my GF picking out the gravel and dirt from my thigh from my waist down to my knee after getting off on the freeway at 75mph wearing only Jeans. I won't ride freeway without armored pants, jacket, boots, and good gloves. Even a 35mph get-off can result in some pretty nasty scrapes.
When experienced riders talk you should listen to them, and maybe ask them some follow up questions instead of assuming they are wimps.
Feels to me like you are committed to riding, and that's awesome. You're bound to have some really great experiences. It's a fantastic sport/activity that comes with risks. Get out there and get comfortable and have a great time riding.
Check out this old vid of one of my commutes. You might see some of the many hazards that await you in heavy traffic.
