post matches sig :lol:

that is a direct quote from ebbs about ebbs

i know, but it matches your post

600 Inline 4's go 170 mph these days. Almost 280 kph I believe and they all do 0-60 in under 4 seconds, nothing slow about them.

Someone link this dude to some OTB goodness.

edit; damn did you pay to get a premium membership at twowheelforum? I feel bad for you, that place is deader than Bernie Mac.

check out this thread NTS made over there with a lot of good info in it.

I would recommend a 250, and NO a 250 sportbike isnt really "slow" but its not the fastest out there. then again, speed is the very last thing you want in a first bike. start small on a little bike, learn how to ride the piss out of it, THEN move up to a larger faster bike.

Myself I started on an EX500, and took 2 years of riding them to feel comfortable enough to move to a 600. trust me, even 1987 600cc bikes are damned fast machines, I know mine will do all of 75-80 in 3rd.

I'd also recommend a 250 for a beginner ... Kawasaki Ninja 250 will do 105-110 mph top speed and is a *great* beginner bike. I did a 1600+ mile round-trip ride on mine, then relocated to Deals Gap area (@800 miles one way) on the same bike.

I currently have a 2005 cbr600 sportbike, which will hit 150+mph, but I'm currently also having a blast on a little Honda CRF230 dual-sport ... I miss my Ninja 250 :)

the 250 is one of the "less is more" kinds of bikes. less displacement=more learning how to use that displacement to the fullest.

I loved my sv650s, taught me a lot when i learned to ride.

I started on a CBR 1000 in 96 and bought a GSX-R 1000 in 2001. No problems really even for a hot head like me who loves speed... BUT

If I could buy any bike for a newbie today it would hands down be the new 08 and up Ninja 250. That will be the coolest bike for you to learn on looks wise if your concerned with that as most new riders are and with a pipe they sound great! For $3500 new you cant beat them! Then you can always keep it when you upgrade to have a bike for your buddies to test the waters on.

But buy what you want and just learn to respect its power no matter what it is.

Your biggest problem will more than likely be others out on the road in cars trying there best to kill you.

And remember to not put your whole body weight on the bars. that is the fastest way to wash out the front in any turn.

Good luck!

<600... TRUST me... they have more than enough power for you when your learning... and as I know recently first hand... a 600 will bite you in the ass if your not paying attention 100% of the time when your learning.