Riding is a lot of fun but I don't really recommend it for commuting, especially for a rookie on I280. Furthermore, I don't think it will really save you all that much in gas unless your car gets 10 MPG. Any decent car built within the last 10 years gets 20+ MPG on the freeway and your average bike might only be double that, especially if its a smaller bike that will be wide open throttle at freeway speeds. Get a different car or drive slower on the freeway at 55-60 MPH in the right lane during your commute is probably a better risk to reward strategy -- as I am sure you know and it is true -- motorcycles are dangerous and maybe more so today with all the distracted drivers.

I rode in college and recently got my M1 so I can do some recreational riding but have not bought a bike yet, haven't found the time to clean the garage. I recommend you sign up and hang out on BARF (bay area riders forum) and pickup the knowledge you need to learn and to ride safely. http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/