Airwolf,
Nice work! Well Done
. I passed just three months ago and I can still honestly say it was the best thing I've done in ages.
I bought a 749 as my first big bike but I've barely covered any miles on it, however that will change at the weekend as I'm fully road legal again! (Got my tax disc on Monday). I also bought a sensible bike for commuting (Kawasaki KLE 500) which has been a good "Lead In Trainer" (This nomenclature may be familiar to you considering your occupation!) to get me through the first few months, which are statistically the most dangerous of course.
I agree with the ethos of buying whatever you want. I have friends that owned Japanese litre IL4s as their first bikes and got on fine- they just took it relatively easy. As I was reminded when looking for sports bikes before passing "the throttle isn't a switch".
As for nodding- I nod at anyone on two wheels when out and about however I wouldn't try this on my commute in London as I think I'd get dizzy! I'm often down in Hampshire at the weekends for a spot of riding so maybe I'll see you streak past on a white 848 in a few months!
All the best,
Ed