Nice bikes, Sluff. Huby would love to have one but you can only use them summertime here. About from May to Sept. depending on the weather maybe April to Oct. Insurance is really expensive as well. Maybe when we win the lotto!!
However long (or short) the season might be should not sway you to not ride. I can understand about the insurance, Progressive quoted me $12,000 per year for liability/comp/collision. However, after searching I was able to find a rate that was not completely crazy, Geico, right around $1,000 per year for liability and collision, Liability only = $250 a year. You only live once and chances are against you winning the lottery, personally I would "sell the farm" to ride!