I don't agree with the starting on dirt approach because while it is great for bike handling skills, it doesn't teach you anything about how to deal with traffic situations. Those are what have proven to be terminal to motorcyclists. Also, I wouldn't start with too little power in a bike for two reasons. First, power is sometimes a good tool forgetting out of situatons or away from concerning cage drivers. Second, learning to ride not only involves learrning how manipulate the bike, it also means finding the love for riding. Part of the love of riding is the power that you have in your control. If I had started on a weakly powered bike I'm not sure that I would have enjoyed it so much. As long as someone has the maturity level necessary and is willing to practice a powerful bike is an okay choice.

 

There are a lot of factors involved I think. The maturity level and how you accept the responsibility of this beasts power will probably decide your fate. I wouldnt suggest starting on a brand new 08 or 09 because your probably just gonna spend time looking for new fairings from laying it down. I mean it inevitiable your gonna drop it. I guess it just depends if your going 120 or practicing in the parking lot. I would start off with taking the MSF course, it will teach you more then you can believe. I took it before I even thought about buying my bike. Then look into an older 600 model ride it for a year or two sell it and get your money back. I didnt start on a 250 and I was fine and I am only saying this because if you buy the 250 your gonna want something bigger right away. Hell I just bought a 32 inch HDTV and now I realize my tight *** should have just bought the 46 inch and been done with it.......Either way let us know your decision and be safe.

 

I learned on 600, bought a 600 as my first bike. never wrecked till i started trying stunts. with that said, i am voting for a 250cc. of course she wants something new and pretty, so a beat up f4i is going to be hard to sell, and people get defensive when you tell them they are going to wreck it, so thats not really a selling point.

the new ninja 250s are sweet looking, and 30 hp power goes a lot farther then you might think if you are in the right gear, (have never ridden one though) to much power can mess you up in a situation too, just yesterday i was pulling out into heavy traffic and womped on the throttle a little to hard and broke the rear end loose, I was able to correct and still get up to speed with traffic quikly, but a newer rider could have been in a world of hurt. I don't think it would have happened on a 250.

tell her that the 250 is lighter, less expensive, very nimble and people still race them at the track, I am sure you can find some used on craigslist or something. she can ride it for a few months, if she feels that she needs a bigger bike then she can sell it and get her pretty 08 600rr.

 

I would recoomend taking the course also. Before i took the course I had never ever been on a bike before but after the class i could ride like if I have been doing it for awhile. I would say start on like a crusier. My first bike was an 2003 honda shadow 750. It was fun but not so much power to were like if you full throttle it your going like 60 lmao