Btw, I would suggest getting it registered/inspected (and maybe insured) ASAP, don’t wait until you have your license. At least in NH you don’t need a license to do ANY of those things, but you CAN be arrested for riding an unregistered bike. The insurance could go either way since it might cost more if you don’t yet have a license/course completion. However I got my insurance as soon as I got it inspected, and it was cheap as hell. You can always call later and tell them you have the MSF course and a license, and they’ll adjust your premiums.
As for highway, I haven’t yet done a real interstate highway, so I’m interested in reading this thread! Honestly the scariest thing to me I think are the hairpin on/offramps and crazy merging. Actually cruising on the superslab should be pretty easy. I’ve also heard trucks are a big problem, since they create a pretty big amount of turbulence…you have to actually lean INTO the truck. Yikes!
As for speed, that’s the easiest part! I hit 90+ mph in my first solo ride on a wide straightaway (back-roads highway I guess you could call it). It’s the slow parking lot manoeuvres that feel scary to me. I get the sensation I could dump the bike at any moment…at least when I’m doing it wrong! It’s hard to go fast in a straight line “wrong.”
Good luck!