I strongly agree that a smaller cc bike is the best bike to start on. The 250 Ninja is a great choice, as pointed out before. The only downfall to starting that small is that once you learn to ride you quickly want a larger bike. This may mean taking a loss reselling a small bike and then going through the whole process of finding another good bike to purchase. That is the only downfall I can think of to starting out on a small bike though.

250 cc is too small. Im not a child. Ive ridden dirt bikes bigger than that. And the power would be outgrown to fast. Maybe good for some people, but I think a 600cc would be a good starter for me.

Although dirt and street bikes have many differences, a 600 cc is cool too. I learned on a 600 with really no prior riding experience. I just know that once I sat on a 250, it would have been much easier. It is easier to "manhandle" the lighter 250 if you get yourself into trouble than a 600.

Like I said, the 250 is easier to learn on, but as you and I have both mentioned, you outgrow them quickly. The 600 will be a good choice.

Another vote for the VFR, I'm pretty happy with my 98VFR800. It isn't as fast as the 1000s but it runs pretty good, you could get a 600 that is faster in the 1320 but this bike is comfortable(for me). I'd have to say it is a great 'in-between' bike. Its accuately the only bike in its class. Like I said, its not real fast but I don't think you'll be looking to upgrade nearly as quick as you might with a 600. The following this bike has amazed me, when I was looking into them. Put a slip-on pipe and that v4 just sounds mean, it really turns heads;). Its also fuel injected and water cooled. Just a suggestion..

http://images.traderonline.com/EMedi...0246662106.jpg

Who makes the VFR?

Honda makes it, its an Interceptor. You might want to look at the 98-up bikes. They have intergrated brakes which some hate and some like, I like it. When I say it isn't 'fast' what I mean is its not as fast as the top bikes or as the VMax that I had. The mags say its a low 11sec bike where as the Hyabusa is a high 9sec bike. I rode around town one night with about 12 bikes that ranged from zx12s to 600s and I really had no problem keeping up. I really think its a great bike and there are alot of people that have this bike that love it(like I said, a BIG following for this bike). It might not be the bike for you but you may want to check it out. It has about 93hp and it is fast enough. You hear one of these things with the exhaust and you'll love it.

My brother had one for a couple years,I gotta say it was a helluva nice bike,looked exactly like rbatson's picture.

They sounds so nice compared to other bikes,my brother's VFR sounded like he had a gear-drive installed :D

They do. The redesigned bikes have a timing chain, but the Last 750's and rbaston's vintage 800 had timing gears. They are great bikes.:D

Only 2 things I don't like about the VFR, your legs get real hot from the engine heat(in hot weather) and you have to rev it up pretty high to get some real power out of it. The later is probably because I was usted to the way the VMax power hit (VBoost) in the mid rpms. Other than that, I think its a great bike.

You're correct on that idea. A 600cc can be pretty tame and it's not likely that you'll loop it unintentionally (like with a 900cc+ in-line 4).

Course, if you had a 250, you wouldn't care if you dropped it. Heck, don't even use the kickstand, just let it fall on its side when you park it.:D (j/k)

The Honda VFR is a little heavy for a beginner (510-550lbs wet weight). It's a V4, so it's more torquey. It's basically a "sport-tourer."

I'd still recommend a 1999-2001 600cc sportbike.