Will do! By suspension........you mean... lower the bike if needed?
I'm definitely gonna invest into other gear, currently hunting for a leather jacket (Heard Dianese was the best, even if it's expensive), along with some good gloves, boots.....I'm not sure about pants, Don't really know what pants to get for bike riding! I'm not sure if I'd need armor...
But safety is definitely the #1 thing on my mind, I actually don't plan to practice until I've gotten all my gear.
Yes, lower the suspension if needed. And go to a professional. Catalyst Reaction in San Carlos is awesome. They'll tell you what is good enough so it doesn't upset the handling while making your ride height comfortable. Legally, you must be able to touch both feet on the ground. Some people prefer to be flat footed, but others are okay with just the balls of their feet touching. It's up to your comfort level.
For gear, you don't HAVE to go with Dainese, but a lot of racers swear by it, if you can afford it. Basically anything leather will protect better than most textiles. Get perforated leather if you tend to be hot with all that gear (pun intended). Textiles are lighter, less expensive, and breathe better, but you need to make sure it comes with proper armor (elbows, shoulders).
Gloves and boots are among basic riding gear everyone should have. If you take a spill, it doesn't take a whole lot to grind off a bone or knuckle in your hand or to snap your ankle. Just get a boot that is comfortable and doesn't allow your ankle to bend laterally (Sidi is a good brand).
Pants - again, leather is superior, but I like to wear textile pants with armor over jeans. It's more convenient where I'm going and it still provides sufficient protection (pads in the knees, hips, and butt).
You don't HAVE to ride with body armor, but I like to. It's hardly noticeable and it will help to reduce torso/spinal trauma if you get hit or crash. It can get expensive though, but T-Pro is among the best.
Just remember that there's gear for hot weather riding and cold weather riding, so research and buy appropriately. Riding while you're wet and cold is also dangerous because you can't respond to feedback quickly and your control of your bike diminishes. If you ride while hot, make sure to stay hydrated and know the signs of heat stroke, etc.
A hi-vi vest (pretty cheap) wouldn't be a bad investment while learning to ride too. Plus they make nifty airbag vests that are also hi-vi (airbag vests are expensive, I'm not going to lie, and not a lot of people I know use them, but I'd like to get one).
I'm not an ATGATT (all the gear all the time) nazi, but I'm just laying all of your options out there. Gear can get expensive so invest where you see fit.
