What's a good starter bike?

I'm new to motorcycling and I'm wondering what a good starter bike would be.  I have friends who told me not to get something around 600ccs so I don't kill myself, but now I'm thinking what brand.  Some of them have recommended something from Honda cause they run pretty good and they're less punishing on noobs like myself.  Is this a good idea?  

Suzuki SV 650 is best I think. Lots of torque means you won't be focusing on shifting while learning the roads and your abilities. Has lots of power you can grow into but easily manageable as a newbie. Light and easy to handle in the city. Sound cool, look reasonably good and cheap to repair. Next would be the Kawa ninja 500/ 650 and the ducati monsters 650-695. Ducati seems to be the benchmark in style.  

No real way of giving an opinion without knowing more about you, the kind of riding you'd most often be doing, etc.

What is a good bike for one may be all wrong for another.

I will say this, take the MSF course first.  

my advice is to take an msf course.  my wife and i took the riders edge course at our harley store and it is well worth the money.  the buell bikes that they use arent the greatest but it gives you experience on a bike to compare with others.  also try to go to any "dealer demos" days that they sometimes have. it gives you a chance to try other styles and types of bikes that you may never get to ride.  my wife started on a ninja 250.  its a great starter if you have never been on a bike...but it doesnt take long to grow out of it, except for the 65 mpg that you get!  ride safe!  

There is no question here..take a MSF course. *** take it twice to be sure you miss nothing..!

The Ninja 250 is an immensely cool bike, and it looks dead fast and sexy.  I'd have one in my garage in a heartbeat, then Im odd that way.

My ZX9 ate its crank and out of desperation I got a little 600 supersport.  What a revelation.  Then I err got a 400cc Japanese XJR400 which is a laugh riot and turned an XT350 into a supermoto of sorts.

Without doubt the XT has made me a better rider.

So my advise is either an XT225 from Yamaha, an SM400 from Suzuki or head into the Kawasaki dealer and see which lights your fire, their own green 250 thumper or the baby Ninja..

None of these bikes are the types that you "Grow out of" and then you keep them for a lifetime even when you progress to bigger and better machinery..


CJ