If you plan on keeping the bike for a long period of time you may as well get something that you will want to have more power when you become a better rider.
I learned on a Katana 1100 at 16 and still to this day loved the powerful feel of that bike.
Just think of how long you are going to ride it or keep it for before you plan to get another bike to replace the one you get now.

 

Hey where's the training you attend at? There's one at NOVA in Alexandria every Saturday. I thought about taking a training too.

 

Unfortunatly, way the **** down in Lynchburg VA. Basically in the middle of nowhere, I decided to go down there because I have family down there (yes, rednecks) and I didn't have to wait as long (4 months instead of 7, for the NOVA area). The class starts tomorrow night, from 6:30-9:30, and is 8:30-5:30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

 

Training wheels??? Your feet ARE the training wheels.

 

Another beginner bike for Toddlers...

Yes foxymazda...I am a freak

Well thatz what my friends tell me in front of my face

As Sir Nuke has stated, start with around 500-600cc range. What is your price point? (meaning how much you want to spend)

Then we can start getting into the specific brands or model types.

Later

 

Suzuki GSX-R 750

They're light as hell and quick.

 

yea imo nothin like starting out on a tiny *** suzuki 185cc.... haha my friend is a motorcycle freak (hes 16) and owns 4 bikes, two suzuki 185ccs, a yamaha 450 or 500cc (dont remember) which he rides daily, and his beast read: 1979 Kawasaki KZ1000ST 1000cc of raw power! haha in a 1200lb bike.... scary ****


but really id start out on a 400-500cc, i learned on a 185, then jumped to a 500.... thats a good way to go when you're young like me

 

Ummmm, no

My best friend started on an '81 Yamaha (sorry forgot the name), then got the Yamaha FZR (600 I think?) and after two summers got the '96 GSX-R 750 and he told me that it was a big jump in power and I know that he had to be cautious the first month or so.

If anyone lives near Vancouver, you'd know how many people buy a first bike that's fast and then end up screwing up and messing up their bike and also their body.

 

Or he could do a Honda CBR 600 RR, those are pretty nice. You notice the diff so much is because the bike weighs like a 500cc bike w/a full tank.. i think the weight of the bike makes the suzuki seem more powerful and faster.

F1...that's what I meant...not RR

 

I'd say the Honda CBR600 F1 or F2 is one of the best bikes to learn on and even keep long term.. thats in fact what I learned on (F1).. it is extremely well balanced.. very lightweight "feeling".. and dynos around 75bhp so it'll still run a 12.5 second quarter mile any day of the week.. very easy to modulate the power on it, and pretty cheap to buy.. also looks awesome - still looks modern today if you get a nice color scheme (well, not purple and red hehe).

Last summer I had a 1987 Kawasaki Ninja 600r, felt ALOT heavier than the CBR (despite maybe only being 30-40lb more at most), the "handling" if you'd call it that was less natural and I didn't feel at ease on backroads with it, I think it's more for taller people.. I'm 5'9 and around 185lb and I think if I was taller it would've been much better for me.. the CBR is a perfect fit for me Kawasaki is a motor company as far as all their bikes feeling powerful as hell (at least 600cc+), but if you go with Kawasaki you'll want at least the second generation sport bikes from after 1988, they are much better designed.

The GS500 is a cool bike for a non-fairing bike but you will probably grow tired of it's power, however they don't depreciate very much if you buy them used so you can use one for a year, enjoy the VERY cheap insurance, and sell it the next year when you move on to something else..

After all this, I currently ride a 1984 Honda Aero 125cc scooter.. mm hmm.. it has great 30-50mph passing power for a scooter though.. next summer I'll probably use the plate for something else

Now that is a great starter bike... just doesn't have shifting or power or anything..

 

I shopped around for a sports bike not too long ago and was recommended the Kawasaki Ninja 500R as a good starting point. Approximately US$5000 for a new one. I started it, sat on it, but didn't get a chance to ride it around... cuz I have no idea if I could do it and I didn't want to take the risk.

The sales rep also recommended me to take the US$100 motorcycle training course ... said it was well worth the money for a beginner. Anyone know what that is like? Worth the money?