Just IMHO 1000cc or above is not a beginner bike.

Most people I know (myself included) started on a under 500cc bike.

I'm even considering a mini ninja for a commuter bike.

I go with Vash, any bike that you can put both feet flat on the ground to learn on.
You will be upgrading within a year so make model and year are not too important.
I have been riding since 1966, I like twins any type V, flat, vertical, whatever. ENJOY

I don't know if an older bike is necessarily a good way to be introduced to the sport. My first bike was 17 years old, by the time I got it. Reliability was an issue. It's a bit discouraging for a newbie to spend as much or more time wrenching than riding. On average, newer bikes will be more reliable.

Having both feet flat on the ground is tremendous.

I like the SV650 for a first bike. 500 Ninja (or EX500, as they used to call it). GS500E from Suzuki was also a popular entry level model. Baby Ninja from Kawi may be just a two-fiddy, but it revs to 14K, too. I'm not keen on recommending Ducatis for new riders for cost/reliability/maintenance reasons, but a 600 or 750 Monster is a reasonable place to start. There must be good entry-level cruisers, but I have no idea what they are. Whatever you buy, get used. It will be less painful if you accidentally drop it in your driveway or at a stop sign. And when you upgrade in a year or so, the bikes listed above can usually be resold for about what you purchased them for.

I was about to come to Ducati's defense from a reliability perspective, but my 748 won't start at the moment...lol. *sigh*.

How about a nice lightweight low seat height "old school" CB450? Wide open it it won't get much past 100 mph. :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1288227099.jpg

I went through this same search about 4 years ago. I wanted an old BMW and folks made recommendations about the 250 Ninjas and the SV650 and all that. I looked them over, but I could never get the BMW out of my mind.

I ended up scoring a 1980 R65 (650) for about $2000. It was a lot of people's first bike but it was mechanically sound. The only work I have done to it was the clean the carbs and fix one of the valve adjusters. I don't ride it as much as I did in 2006, because my weekends are consumed with stuff with he kids now, so it sits a lot. The only reason I haven't sold it is because my wife keeps saying it costs little to nothing to keep it and she's probably afraid of what I brought home next.

It's a 650 and it's pretty slow but it'll move if you wind it up. It's all manual, clutch, brakes, etc. It has enough false neutrals to keep things interesting. It's the motorcycle version of and old 911.

If you ride a bike often, I think carbs are OK, but for an occasional toy I would have preferred FI. Sometimes this thing is a ***** to get started.

Yamaha 500 XT:

http://vroum52.com/yamaha071009.img/Yamaha500xt1980.jpg

A photo for reference purposes. I keep saying I'll tear it all down and repaint/restore it like Leland did, but I never get to it. Lots of DE this season so maybe over the winter.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1288227561.jpg

I'll trade you some Fuchs for ghat thing :D

I made a similar decision this summer. I've never had a street bike but decided I wanted one. I bought a very nicely restored 77 R100S. It turned out to be a great first bike. Reliable, easy to ride, decent performance. I rode it about 2k miles this summer. I liked the vintage, air cooled, simple aspect of it. If you've worked on an air cooled 911 you'll be right at home. I'm glad I bought it. I've since bought a Ducati 996S It's uh.... a little different. I haven't been riding the BMW much since I bought it but I'm keeping it for sure and will get back to it once the rush wears off (if it does)
JUST DO IT

I still think a dual sport makes for a great first bike, especially if you plan to commute with it.

But! I you want something exotic how about a Ducati 750 or 900 Supersport? A 750 SS can be had for pretty cheap.

I don't think a faired sportbike makes for a good first bike.

buy something CHEAP.

it is a statistical certainty that you will dump the bike in the first six months.

Whoa. Thanks the replies. I've been plugging model names into google and craigslist to get up to speed.

When I was younger and in school or driving a desk in the office, I relished time in the garage turning a wrench. Now, I do home remodeling work and property management, and the grease and concrete floor aren't so enticing. I favor a bike that's reliable, starts all the time (or at least almost every time), and doesn't need much fiddling. I see the R75 and think, "drum brakes--sure about that?"

Of the bikes mentioned, I think the dual sport is a good fit, because they're cheap, have a friendly powerband, and will tolerate being dropped. I could be totally wrong. The bandit, SV650, nighthawk, and KLR are on the watchlist.

CB450? Me likey a LOT, but I'd never ride it. I'd be afraid to drop it. I need a disposable bike that won't depreciate. I need something cheap, so I can afford to buy gear. I've been down on my roadbike enough times to know it sucks. I can't imagine riding a motorcycle with a t-shirt. I get goosebumps every time I see a couple wearing jeans and a tank top.

SO, what's the approximate budget for the bike purchase?

I'd budget a grand for gear...

JR

Are you thinking of selling????

I have had a ton of bikes, but if you don't want an older bike, want something reliable, fun, and with a bit of power, you can never go wrong with an SV650.

Found you this and it is in TN! 2006 Suzuki SV650 Chattanooga TN ADV Ready! well, almost. - ADVrider

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/p...06Sv650001.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/p...06Sv650002.jpg

Nope.... I rarely sell anything I have built/restored/repaired. :) Just had to throw out the idea of picking up an older simple bike like a CB as a first bike.

I agree with Rot911. Any of those fairly recent Japanese bikes in that size range are easy rides, fun, reliable, and not expensive. You would probably get your money or most of it back on resale if you decide to sell it in a reasonable amount of time.