[grudk]

My 2 cents since I started late (40-ish). Kind of rough learning since I was living in a dense urban area at the time... so I started with a 50 cc scooter after the safety class (class is well worth it - do it). Sold it for what I bought it for, and this got me comfortable in heavy traffic, without worrying about gears. After a few months, got a 600 Ducati supersport. Would not recommend a sport bike early on... being on tip-toes at lights was a bit stressful, especially if the ground is uneven. Later graduated to a 1000 Duc sport classic... but it took me a year of riding the 600 to feel comfortable moving up. Dropped every one of them at some point... expect it

Got my wife started on the scooter, and she later had a little GZ 250 Suzuki. Now that is a GREAT starter bike. Zero cool factor, but so, so easy to learn... if you bought it used, you will not get hurt when you sell in six months or a year.

Anyway, don't rush it. I have a friend who started with a 600... he has crashed three times, last time got some broken bones and a ruptured spleen. By starting small, I developed skills over time, and though I dropped the bikes at times (always at rest), I never went down while riding

They will tell you in your class that new riders over 40 are the most likely to get hurt... because they have the money to buy the big bikes, before the develop their skills.