[beatr911]

The OP asked if it was "worth the risk". This is a very personal decision and one that keeps most people off of motorcycles. When would-be riders ask me if they should begin riding I tend to ask them about thier accident history and try to evaluate if they are the type of people that things "just seem to happen" to. Like airplanes and parachutes, you don't want "things to happen" to you.

Motorcycling only pays off in economic terms if the rider can to several things well. 1)Be a good risk manager of your actions, and the others around you. 2)Learn about and maintain your own motorcycle well. 3)Wait for and seek out great deals on a used bike. 4)Purchase and use good riding gear. 5)Ride often and seek to improve your riding skills each time.

There are probably other skills and actions that I can't think of right now but start with those. Riding can be a very, very enjoyable mode of transportation as well as being inexpensive, but it's not for everyone.