[robz71lm7]

I asked a few others (co-workers, local F-body board etc) but thought I'd ask here as well since I trust the judgement and value the opinions on this board. First of all I have never ridden a motorcycle, but have toyed with the idea for the past few years. I got my motorcycle permit last week and am taking an MSF course in a couple of weeks. As you can probably guess I want a sportbike. I have a 30 mile one way commute on 2-lane roads and the interstate (70 mph+). I'd mainly be getting it as a toy, but I'd like to be able to ride to work too so I can somewhat justify it in my head. I have thought about track days, but that is a ways away if ever.

I've had recommendations ranging from a 250 all the way to a 750 sport bike (Ninja 250r, R6, or GSXR 600 or 750). Thoughts?

[Todd]

I second staying away from 250's. They might have enough power to get you in trouble...but the brakes generally suck on a 250. They also tend to cheap out pretty much anything else on an american market 250. My fiancee took the MSF course and got a nighthawk 750. Ultimately it was too big for her but she is a small girl and the 4 cylinder motor was just too heavy for her to handle. For me, as a rider of 15+ years, it was almost like riding a bicycle. I had a Shadow 750 (cruiser) in college, and it was okay, but uninspiring. I bought a VFR 750 to replace it with...and I've loved it ever since. I've had a few other bikes come and go, but my VFR stayed. It has a V4 so it has enough torque to tool around under 5K rpm. When you want to scream, it has a 12K RPM red line. Just under 100HP at the rear wheel, and I've run 11 sec 1/4 times on it, bone stock. There are a bunch of bikes in the category the VFR is in, the "sport touring" category. I had a BMW K1200RS for a while that was in the same category...but obviously a lot bigger motor. I found that I *really* enjoyed the BMW on highway trips, but in town, it was just too big and heavy for me. Since I didn't make too many out of town trips, I sold it. The mpg on the BMW really sucked too...32-35 unless I was doing 65 on the highway with the cruise on. On the VFR I get about 45mpg riding to work daily, about 52-53 on the highway. One thing the VFR could use is cruise control...but maybe I'm just getting old. If you have enough sense to not ride like an idiot, you can get away with a "powerful" first bike.

Good luck!