I'd like to introduce myself:

Michael R. Puig, a 53yr old grandpa living outside Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Currently have two bikes - a 2011 Honda CBR250R and my personal favorite - a 2012 Ducati Monster 696 ABS.  Both bikes have some mods (mostly exhaust systems and fender eliminators) with more projects planned during the winter.  I have newly returned to riding as a hobby and commuter after being away since my high school years.  I like the mechanical aspects of the hobby and am looking to build/resurrect a cafe racer in the near future.  I look forward to  learning more and applying that knowledge from the forums, thank you.

welcome to the board. you have some great riding in your part of the world.

Welcome    I've ridden all over Colorado and its hands-down my favorite place to ride in the country. 

You've two fine bikes, enjoy them.  Try to get some good, advanced instruction and consider a track-day or two.  A track is a much more forgiving environment and you'll be able to learn how to control the bike in a turn much  more easily than on the road.  There are many great tracks in the general area.  I've been out at IMI, they've several off road tracks (my main focus) and a supermoto track, and, I think, a road race track.  The sumo track would actually be a great place to start and I think its only $35 a day or so.