[dhgeyer]

I just read your bio. Nice looking bike, even for a GZ250, which generally are good looking. I think you're old enough to make up your own mind about riding. I'm going to assume that you got your license by taking the BRC. In some states it's the only way. Anyway, if it's been 6 months since you took the course, and you haven't ridden since then, then I second Easy Rider's advice: find a parking lot and start to rebuild your skills and confidence. See if you can dig up the booklet from the course, and go through that again, too. That course crams so much into so little time, I've found that most people have forgotten most of it in a few months, especially if they're not using it.

While you're at it, get "Proficient Motorcycling" by David L. Hough - available at Amazon.com. That's a book that can easily save your life.

Staying on the side roads for a while is good. Riding too close to the shoulder is not. You have to assert your lane or you'll end up getting run off the road. If you're too close to the side, people can't see you. In the course they taught you to spend most of your time in the left third of your lane for visibility. That's my basic position, although I move around a lot based on cornering technique, traffic, surface conditions, etc. etc. etc.

Riding has risk involved, but for most of us it is so rewarding that it is worth it.

I personally advocate the safest safety gear you can get: DOT and Snell approved full face helmet, good quality motorcycle jacket with full protective padding including the new backbone protectors, motorcycle specific gloves, and good solid boots. But that's up to you of course.

Welcome to this funhouse by the way!