excellent at least you are doing your homework unlike half the other people out there. With the mileage you may want to check to see if he is getting the carbs done in that tuneup and also if the valves need to be done. I know on my bike its not needed until 20k and I won't have the bike that long unless my plan works out next year and its my track bike.
First just go to your DMV and find out about the motorcycle safety course You can also check out their website
http://www.msf-usa.org/ Second make sure you have at least 800-1k set to the side to get gear. Honestly you ought to just get another helmet and save that one for using if you dragrace your stang. If you go to your local dealership look at the helmets you can get some for 150 all the way up to 700 dollars. Basically try a bunch of different brands on since they all fit differently. Second onces you find the one you like go to
www.helmetshop.com and buy it there. Most the time they are at least a hundred to a couple of hundred dollars cheaper.
JACKETS:If it is hot where you live you are going to need to figure out if you can afford 2 jackets. 1 for winter 1 for summer. Right now the best jacket out there for summer riding is the Joe rocket Pheniox Jacket. Its a Kelvar mesh and i have heard from many rider who went down in them and ended up just fine. The best price I have found them for is at
www.tricktape.com. $107.00 bucks and with the shipping still cheaper than most the dealerships and my friend can get you any color you want. Personally one of those and then a regular like HJC with a removeable liner would be enough. Also try
www.newenough.com for stuff another great site. Lots of fellow riders order from there.
Now for Gloves. I don't care what anyone says those mechanic gloves aren't real gloves. You need a decent LEATHER pair of gloves and if it is hot look into Joe rocket Pheniox Gloves. I bought my Carbon 7 pro gloves for less than 80 bucks from
www.kneedraggers.com You don't need something this nice but its still a good idea.
Boots: If you can't afford real riding boots or if you have to ride to work at least have a pair of work boots that are heavy duty and leather if possible. Just think of how much skin there is between your ankle bone
Nasty image eh?
Last if you aren't going to wear protective pants at least have Jeans on. Seriously that bike will sometimes reach over 210 degrees in traffic and I don't know how people wear shorts.
The tires well if the cords are showing and they look alright you should be fine for a while. Tires the best prices I have found on them have been from
http://www.chaparral-racing.com/ and also
http://www.mawonline.com/
Last but not least have fun.
if you have more questions feel free to PM me or email me also at anytime
I am try to help find stuff for you if you need some help.
fastchickie@comcast.net