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A Maxim 550 is not a sport bike; more of a standard or UJM. (Universal Japanese Motorcycle)
With regards to the helmet, I second the vote to go for full-face. DOT/Snell if at all possible. The highest point of impact on the head during a motorcycle crash is the front left chin area; 37%.
They have modular helmets how, where the face can be flipped up. But only the expensive ones are any good. I had a cheap one, and a screw fell out of the mechanism and the face fell off during a ride.
Riding year-round in Atlanta area is completely doable. Except for snow & ice. (which you don't get much of, last year you had a couple dicey days, as I recall) Don't do it. If you don't kill yourself, someone else will. Just about any slip will become a fall. Your roads down there are PERFECT for motorcycling. Not all frost-heaved and pot-holed like ours up north.
Have the bike tuned up by a dealer if you're going to rely on it as basic transportation. It is coming up on 30 years old, so even Japanese quality only goes so far. It might need a carb cleaning, if it has sat for half a season. Is it shaft-driven or chain? If it is shaft-driven, change the oil in the final drive. If it is chain, check it for stretch and make sure the chain & sprockets are in good shape. Change the spark plugs and wires. Have the timing points checked. Make sure the tires are not cracked and have plenty of tread. The tread is what keeps you safe when you get caught in the rain.
Look into some soft luggage at a minimum. I prefer a removable locking top case by Givi, but they are expensive. Failing that, a strap on tail bag, tank bag, and saddle bags can do a lot. Lots of kids use backpacks, but remember that you can potentially land on whatever is in there. One Russian guy broke his spine and was paralyzed from the back down because he landed on a can of Coke in his backpack. Tail bags and tank bags stay out of the airstream and don't affect aerodynamics like saddlebags.
If you want it, I have a modular tank bag I'll sell you for $30 shipped. (It cost $85 new, and is in excellent condition. Black nylon) It has the base, which doubles as a map pocket. A small tank bag can buckle onto that. The small tank bag can carry all your day-to-day stuff. Keys, cell phone, wallet, maps, rain suit, etc. There is also a large tank bag which can hold clothes and such. This can either be used on its own, or with the small bag buckled on top of it.
Good luck. Keep it shiny-side-up.
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