Hi Si and welcome to the YOC, now that's what I call a proper intro, as your new to biking I should just stick to what you know and if your happy riding nearer the kerb then do that and take your mates advice with a pinch of salt, it's fine when your more proficient but for now make your self as small a target as you can, ok wet visor (I asume you mean foggy from breathing?) well you have to breath but try a cheap method of a potato cut in half and rubbed on the inside of the visor or there are some sprays you can buy that do a similar job others on here will know the best ones, hill starts are at best only advised on when your there to see the problem but find a nice quiet road (that has a hill!) and just practice same as a car but you just need to find the bite point of the clutch and open the throttle SLOWLY until your off and running, cornering in the wet is another of those really difficult things to advise on, how wet is to wet? if you mean puddles then go round them and NOT through them if you mean damp then it's easy the first time it slides out from under you then your going to fast, not really helpful but it's difficult to be precise when your not there and don't know how you drive. I would suggest that if your really worried then get on a traning course run by bikers they will help you gain confidence and make sure you ride within your skill. Other than that have fun it's a thrill every time you ride your bike and not something you should fear. Martin