Yeah, keep looking. It doesn't need to be pretty, but it should run pretty.

You'll find, if you go too cheap on the front end, you'll STILL spend it later (and be irritated and frustrated by the whole thing). Take a cynical friend with you to serve as a reality check. Listen to you gut, if you have any mis-givings, walk. There are a TON of good ones out there. Don't think looking a little longer will be a waste of your time.

I'll get some flack for this, but if it IS your first bike, stay in the 250-500 cc range.
They are a little smaller, lighter and more forgiving. When (and you will) dump/ding it up, it will be cheaper to fix, too. You'll get a better value for your entry dollars.

Get your first 3 to 5000 miles under you, and THEN step up to the 600-900 class. You'll have a lot more experience at judging bikes by then, and know a whole lot more about what you are looking at and for.

Ern

 

Kawasaki Ninja 650R and Suzuki SV650 are also good starter bikes that will also have more performance to them as you learn and gain experience.

I started on my F4i after taking the MSF class and getting my license. So no one says you have to start on a low bike. But it's more forgiving to beginners. Either way, definitely get a class under your belt first.

 

I started on a honda 250 in the dirt and got my wrecks and miss judges there. To much speed for conditions and traction. When i transitioned to street and took a class it was much easier and nicer to my ego and pocket book because i had basic knowledge+ i had made a few friends with some higher knowledge that led me down the right path.

Yes i only ride a 600 but there is nothing nicer the out cornering my friends that have 954 and 1k's.
Skills pay the bills.

 

I'm gonna say start smaller. Especially if you've never ridden before. I started out on a 600 with no experience. It was pretty intimidating at first but I caught on pretty quickly and after having a few toddler walking pace drops, I don't beat myself up as bad about anything anymore as far as damaging the bike. In the long run I'm glad I didn't start on a 250, I would've wanted something bigger after about 1000 miles I think. But that's all up to you, how comfortable are you on something this quick? I used to ride snowmobiles which is about all I can compare to the acceleration of a street bike so maybe that helped me, idk.

 

a 600 is a decent starter as long as you take it slow.
i would recommend a 500 as a beginner bike.

just dont start on a liter bike.
please god.

 

Don't go looking for a bike that's beaten almost to death. You need something with decent suspension, brakes & motor (& looks to). You don't want to spend the 1st part of your riding life with the bike in the shop with issues caused by someone else.
Here (S'tralia) new riders are restricted to power to weight ratio, so bikes like the Suzuki GS500 fit the bill. A lot of bike manufacturers have released a lot of bikes modified to suit that class of license. Riding a smaller capacity bike is going to give you time to hone your skills & stop you from being to tempted to go outside your safety zone.
Either way, shop around & get something good (CBR250's are quite a tasty all rounder).

 

I think I speak for most riders on here when I say that in a perfect world everyone would love to start out on a 250cc. But it all comes down to money. It took me well over a year working a full time job to scrape up enough dough for my first ride and I knew that what I got was going to be mine for a very long time. So I opted for the 600 for my first ride. "IMO" if you have the cash get the 250cc then upgrade in a year or two if not get a 600 and take it slow and don't be an @$$ and you should turn out just fine, just as long as you stay away from those gixxers riders lol

 

regardless weather you buy a 250 or a 1K, don't buy some beat-up pile of ****.

At the very least look at the seller, if he loves the bike and knows everything there is to know about it, has maintained it well and lavished care on it then buy it.

If it's a beat-up piece of cr4p steer well clear, a good bike will cost more to buy initially, but will cost you less in the long run.

 

yup listen to the guys. sooner or later you will want to sell your first bike and upgrade, so you need to buy a bike that you can turn around and sell back to the market. so make sure she is mechanically as well as cosmetically in good shape, or you will have a hard time getting rid of it.