What do you guys think ?

[fresco]

hey northern pete I checked out that video you posted very nice indeed

and yea Zohw the insurance issue really does suck but I guess I have no choice but to save my pennies until I can afford a decent bike + have more than enough money for insurance; and you know what really pisses me off, the insurance rate goes down by like 60% as soon as I turn 25 (but then again, same for cars and what not) It's all good I guess I just have to wait

I am however looking more and more at the suzuki gs500f (mentioned by Nibblet), and at my school, I see (from the students that have bikes) a lot of ninjas, and a lot of honda cbr 600's

are there any other "beginner" bikes I should look into other than the kawasaki or suzuki? I would like to avoid cruisers if possible

OH and as an update, me and two of my buddies split a dirt bike (I talked them into it ) , which brings about another question I'd like to ask you guys

the dirt bike is semi automatic, so basically when you kick it into 1st, it moves on its own (but only slightly - for those that don't know), when dealing with a bike thats full clutch, is it just like a car, in terms of how to get it moving? (going from N to 1st)

and thanks to this bad boy I've convinced myself that counter steering is real it's incredible

[Brackstone]

I think you are missing out on a lot by not grabbing up a 250 and starting to learn until you can afford a bigger bike. But I don't think anything I can say would change your mind. Just make sure you take an MSF course.

[Wrider]

Well, from Kawi there's the Ninja 250 and 500, both good starters, and quite honestly I'm not sure if there are any starter's sportbikes from Honda... Granted you can always go with the older ones, but not sure if there are any newer ones...
Wrider
BTW, my first bike, the volusia, 805cc V-Twin cruiser, full coverage, high coverages, low deductibles, ran me 422/year. Gotta love the cruiser segment!

[ZaGhost]

Lots of options.....

Grab a used bike, & get basic PLPD for coverage....
My XS400 costs me $200/year on the east coast...

Bike choices, tas mentioned the Ninja 250 or 500, + we also get the ZZR 250 up here (the boys down south forget that sometimes, hehe)
The new Honda CB125
Suzuki GS500

Or you could go dualsport like the XT225 or TW200 from yamaha...
Or go older for some standards....but keep in mind they need TLC and can be tempermental....