[Devryn17]

Originally Posted by Dr40oz

I have rode every type of bike and if I can offer one piece of advice it would be don't listen to anyone's advise to you if they haven't crashed a bike before.

Get a used 250/300 and ride it for one season and see how you like it. Going fast is easy. Learn to go very slow. I was stupid and went 600 first to 1000's next. I was lucky I have strong "don't kill yourself genes".

250s are always in demand and you won't lose much if you buy and flip the next year.

A 600 can go just as slow as a 250. I have a very strong "don't kill yourself" gene too, which is why my SS has had the traction control off exactly twice in controlled circumstances.

I've seen people get Eliminator 125s, or Rebel 250s and then upgrade after a summer to find themselves with more power than they could handle. It's DEFINITELY an individual choice.

Whatever you decide, I have two pieces of advice:
1. Buy your first bike used. You'll lose less in resale that way, and if you do wreck it, you'll lose less from the insurance payout.
2. For gods sake, wear proper safety gear. Wear a good helmet. Wear at least jeans, boots, and long sleeves, and my personal recommendation, find a good pair of riding gloves with padded/hard backs/fingers/knuckles. Nothing will make you let go of the grips quicker than a truck flinging a rock that feels like it took off your finger.