Welcome to the forum from South Carolina. The best advice I can give you is take the MSF BRC (Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course). It's the best investment in your safety you can make and, if you pass, you won't have to take the road test at the DMV. As far as safety equipment at least get a helmet and gloves to start. Always wear long pants and boots. I shed the leather jacket around this time of year as it's just to hot to wear going into the SC summer. lol I prefer a modular full face helmet. In October you can come to the coast here for the fall rally and in the spring we have the crusing the coast rally (Myrtle Beach Rally).
