I would recommend a CBR600 F2. It has a fairly upright riding position, is cheap to come by, has a very comfortable seat, has a fairly low seat height compared to the newer bikes, and has enough performance for you to grow into.

Currently have an R6 that I'm trying to sell. Hoping to get a Ducati someday.

 

the cbr 600 F series bikes are great bikes to get started on street bikes with.

Upright and not overly torquey.

I think everyone has made great suggestions.

Only one I would add is that you have to be paying attention at ALL TIMES. I mean in a car you tent to get a little lazy. Not on 100% all the time and what not. On a motorcycle it's 100% all the time. You have to by fully aware of who is around you. Be thinking of what that jerk that just got on the freeway is gonna do...i.e. cut you off. Does that car coming out of the car pool lane see you. Stuff like that. Especially in the bay area.

I considered buying a street bike. I looked at several 600's and a 900. Then I test drove a used 900 and decided I didn't need to die so young. I looked at enduros. Wanted a 600 KTM for long long time. Then I talked to some folks I know and decided commuting on a motocycle isn't for me. I have A.D.D. and get bored. I fix this in my car with music or a couple miles of speeding or something like that. On a motocycle that doesn't mix for me. Plus I'm a speed freak...broke 130mph on that test drive of the 900RR.

 

Take the MSF course. A little training can go a long way in keeping you alive. I've been riding for over 30 years, and have the scars to show for it.

Learn how a bike turns, it's not intuitive. Turn the bars left to go right, right to go left. Most common accident is turning into something you are trying to avoid. I've watched a guy who didn't know what he was doing get run over by a Mac Truck. He turned into the truck, rather than away from it, and boy did that truck crunch up that bike. The guy was lucky to survive.

I personaly don't think sport bikes are good starter bikes, too much potential for a begining rider. Way too easy to get in over your head.

Steve
'00 BMW R1100RT

 

I'd have to agree with that. Get something mellow to learn on and take an MSF course. I've been riding for 18 years and I haven't wrecked yet, but I've seen a bunch of people do it. In every case they were riding too fast for their skills.


-hoche

'81 Laverda Jota
'76 Moto Guzzi 850T++

 

gsxr 750 as a starter bike? no flame here, but i wouldn't recommend that. the 750 is as light as a 600 and has as much power as a 1000 which = trouble. take the msf course first as you def will drop your bike, every rider has, and the ones that haven't, will.

 

I was able to learn on my first bike which was a Honda Intercepter 700, I honestly recomend you buy a heap for your first bike. this way when you upgrade to a TL 1000 which I did and I do recomend you will know what you are doing, BTW if anyone reading this knows what The TL1k is capable of, I will definetly tell you even though I have a lil bit of x periance 2 years that bike scares the hell out of me till today.

 

sillyness

 

There isn't much more to say, but one thing I will add is to have a good mindset. If you're scared and think you're gonna crash or die, you will. But at the same time, don't be too cocky either. Just be aware of your surroundings at all times, be ready for everything and anything and avoid target fixation. Just take it easy and be safe. Don't skimp on gear either. You'll need a good helmet, jacket, gloves, etc. The bikes people mentioned are good starter bikes. Another one I'll add is a Yamaha YZF-600. Good luck.