If you can get a smaller displacement bike like the 599 used for a good deal then do it. If not, I would get the bike you want the 1000RR. Just don't whack the throttle open on corner exits and you should be fine. Everything else that can get you hurt or killed on a 1000cc can still get you hurt or killed on lesser displacement bikes. Dirt riding makes for good practice that's what I started out on. My first street bike that I owned was an '04 1000RR and now I have an '08 1000RR. I had ridden friends ZX11 and another friends GSXR750 quite a bit before I bought the '04 though.

 

Hi I started with a VFR800VTEC. It is a 'do everything' bike. It is comfy, has a sporty feel, great for commuting, touring, and having a blast. I bought the 08 blade a month or so ago primarily because most of my mates are on sports bikes Blades,R1's, Gixxers, and Ninjas and I just felt the time was right. Two years of riding my VFR gave me cofidence to jump on a flying machine like the Blade. Dont get me wrong the VFR is not a slouch in the bike market I had mine up at 160 'wind behind a bit' and it was solid, it took a while to get there but that is the good thing about the bike when you are adapting to having a fair amount of power under your right wrist. There are no surprises with it, it wont chuck you off the back unless you are really stupid and the dual breaking ABS version brings you to a good safe both wheels on the tarmac stop. I have kept mine because I love it and it does a different type of job to my Blade but it is a Honda, its bullet proof, Honda have made over 50 million Vtec units for their bikes and cars and never had a failure (according to one motoring tv program we have here in the UK) that gives you a bit of confidence that the package is going stay under you and not be in bits behind you on the road. They hold their value well too so its a good bike to trade up with later if you wanted to but you will have a lot of fun with a VFR and may decide to stay on it a bit longer. Whatever you decide on be safe, dont be stupid, dont follow idiots and ride long.

All the best
Gazza (UK)

 

I would also HIGHLY recommend the SV-650. I know two of my friends who I recommended buying this bike as their first road bike and they LOVED it. Just had to talk another friend to his senses. Hewas going to get a 1KRR. I told him it was WAY TOO much bike for a new road rider. That said, I would buy one 2-3 years old in good condition, because with previous dirt experience, you will be ready to move up within a year or so depending on how much you ride it.