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So, I rode a lot when I was a kid. I had CR150 then a CR250. When I was about 14, my Dad had to take my bike away from me because I was being really stupid about how I was riding; I had a lot of friends doing Motocross and whatnot, and I was being reckless. I already had gotten 1 concussion, so he had to take it away before I really got hurt.
Well, this year my father is buying a Harley (he's getting around retirement age) and he encouraged me to get a bike so we can go riding together from time to time. I haven't rode at all, really, since I was 14 or so, and I want to get into my first street bike.
I want to go with a sport model rather than a cruiser or a touring model. Aesthetically I like sport bikes more, and practically, I have a fair few friends who love to ride their sport bikes on our local roads because they're windy, well paved, with some beautiful scenery.
Now, I know that with sport bikes in particular, it's easy to buy too much bike. No one wants to pay 10k for a CBR 1000 and lay it on its side because you can't handle it on the corners or get to hairy with the throttle and get yourself hurt. I want to start smaller, but I'm not exactly sure where.
From what I gather, 600cc bikes are where a lot of people say things start to get hairy. I've asked a few friends and local riders, and I seem to get a mix of people saying go with a low CC bike to learn, then after a few months of learning to handle the bike, graduate up to more bike (I.E. Start with a CBR 250r and graduate up to a CBR 500 or 600). Some people are advising me getting a moderate power bike so I don't have to replace it right away (for instance, a CBR 500). That is, disregarding the people who say if you're not riding a Harley you're not riding a motorcycle :/
As far as make/model and budget are concerned, I am very comfortable with Honda products due to a large amount of previous experience with their products. They're very well made and reliable. I am not, however against buying something other than a Honda. I know there are a lot of people who swear by Kawasaki's Ninja line, as well as others. Budget wise, leaving room for safety gear (500 or so), around 6k would be acceptable, which with a bit of research, should put me into a decent used bike.
So, I was wondering if motorcycle enthusiasts on TL might offer some insight into how you started out and what you wish you would have done instead. Thanks for any help!
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iv'e owned a ninja 250r, Yamaha R15 and ridden a ninja300. I would say ninja 300 was by far would be the best pick you wont get sick of it super quick like the others. That being said it seems to be a little out of your price range.
I would say one of ninja250r or the cbr250r would be the next best thing but i'm telling you now you'll get sick of them a lot faster than the 300. Riding the 300 actually feels like you are riding a motorbike and they look pretty cool as well. (which is equally as important  )
as for a 600cc bike you'll be better off having honed your skills on the smaller bikes, they are a lot more forgiving as you seem to already know. I think of it like this, you're better off learning how to ride a motor bike rather than trying not to crash a rocket.
I now have a 2010 gixxer-600
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Take the motorcycle safety course (their loaner bikes are usually 250cc) and you usually get a discount on insurance. See how you feel on that and I bet you'll want something a little more. Personally I had a Suzuki SV650 for several years and never got bored of it (enough low end torque that I could bring the front wheel up if I got carried away at a stoplight) but not enough HP to take my unfairinged bike much past 100MPH without a good stretch of highway (it did get up there plenty fast tho). For a short period I rode a Honda CB450 and it worked for the few mile trip to work but I would have really gotten bored of it (especially if I ever had to give someone a ride).
When I get back into riding I'll probably look for something with a similar power/weight ratio. (Fwiw it was a 2002 and I was pushing 200lb.)
I also fully endorse getting a used bike! Nothing wrong with Honda (although I really don't know anything about their current line). Took an awesome trip with my dad and bro two summers ago on some Honda STs (1100 and 1300). I also rode both a lot while visiting my parents and they were both very nice for longer trips but waaaay to bulky for little trips around town.
I'm a bit partial to standard/naked street bikes but I did enjoy my brother's CBR600F2 the few times I rode it :D
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I agree with igay that sticking with the smaller bikes is usually more beneficial and the Ninja 300 is a excellent pick. I started off with a Honda CRF 230L, then moved to a Yamaha FZR 600, and a Honda CB400 Super Four after the Yamaha. If you want to go bigger, then the CBR500(F or R), Ninja 650r, and maybe the CBR650F would be something that you could grow into. The Hondas are newer in the US and probably wont be found in the price range you're looking for, but the Ninja 650r should be in your ball park price wise. Another older bike that is raved about and would fall into the bigger, but less punishing than a super sport bike is the Suzuki SV650. Because it's older, it should be easier to find, but they replaced the naked version with an updated version. I would suggest going with the smaller bike, but that is my personal preference. I feel like it comes down to how often you're going to ride and how long you would want to keep a bike before making the transition to something bigger, faster, or whatever the case may be.
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Just get a dual-sport. They are dirt cheap used.
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I'm not sure how big you are but I recommend starting at 600 unless you're a midget. 250 gets boring way to quickly and a 600 is probably going to be safer if you're riding on the freeway. The amount of options you have greatly widens at 600 too. I've been on cbr600, r6 and gsxr750 which is extremely similar to the 600 but just a bit more power. All of those bikes I highly recommend and and they're all easy to find. Ninjas are good from what I've heard and the sv650 is a great bike as well. Skip the girl bikes and be a man.
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