Welcome to the Two Wheeled Texans community! 
Feel free to hang out and lurk as long as you like. However, we would like to encourage you to 
Dude, welcome to the sight and to motorcycling (soon hopefully). I've been where you are and made some of the mistakes these nice folks are trying to steer you away from. Please trust these guys and follow thier advice. You'll have a long and safe motorcycling life if you just take a few extra steps right now (keeping in mind that long and safe are both relative terms 
).
The MSF basic riders class is basically a survival course for motorcycling.
Take it and increase your chances of survival. That's a no brainer!
Also, Driver's Ed isn't even taught to teens anymore, something that blows the minds of most of us older dudes. You'll learn stuff that a self study course will never teach you. Take the course and you'll be a better rider AND driver.
Also, check the "Pay It Forward" section here on TWTEX. You'll frequently find free gear for the asking. Sometimes you have to pay shipping, some folks don't mind paying it for you. If you don't see anything that you need there, go to the For Sale sections for some awesome deals.
If your parents can't cover the class totally, see if they'll go half? If it's still not doable, start saving, it's worth it however long it takes. You'll be amazed at how quick you'll get the $$.
Good luck and don't hesitate to come back here for help or advice. There's plenty of both to go around.
).The MSF basic riders class is basically a survival course for motorcycling.
Take it and increase your chances of survival. That's a no brainer!
Also, Driver's Ed isn't even taught to teens anymore, something that blows the minds of most of us older dudes. You'll learn stuff that a self study course will never teach you. Take the course and you'll be a better rider AND driver.
Also, check the "Pay It Forward" section here on TWTEX. You'll frequently find free gear for the asking. Sometimes you have to pay shipping, some folks don't mind paying it for you. If you don't see anything that you need there, go to the For Sale sections for some awesome deals.
If your parents can't cover the class totally, see if they'll go half? If it's still not doable, start saving, it's worth it however long it takes. You'll be amazed at how quick you'll get the $$.
Good luck and don't hesitate to come back here for help or advice. There's plenty of both to go around.