Ask folks that have ridden and ride all the time like me. The best bike bar none for a beginner is either a 250 or 500-600 but let me explain something very important and trust me, you are gonna kick yourself later if you dont heed my advice :-)
Ok here goes...
Remember these rules of thumb
RULE #1
If you are planning on going on the freeways often then you will want a 600 cc bike. Only if you are going straight and not winding curvy roads. The 600 cc bikes have more power than 250 cc. Also if driving on freeways get a bike with fairings that is the plastic is designed to decrease the wind buffeting you'll get.
RULE #2
If you plan on never riding it on the freeway then the Kawasaki Ninja 250 is the way to go. It is very inexpensive and has the best gas mileage I've seen for 250's and it looks hot. Insurance is a joke. That is, it's so low its like one night out on the town! ahahah I paid $70 for a full year on my ninja 250.
So remember that for long straight driving you want power and even a little bit more weight maybe. A ninja 250 for example is horrible on the freeways and the winds blow it around something fierce but since it gets such good gas mileage you don't have to take the freeways.
For freeway driving a cheap bike is the suzuki Katana
Now for the overview of what you need to do to get a motorcycle. I put it in steps along with the reason WHY you need to do it this way.
Step 1. Go to dmv and take "the written exam" only to ride a motorcycle. You don't need a bike yet to take it. You'll pass that the same day. I failed my first time I took it by 1 or 2 questions but you know how they let you take it 3 times the same day well I passed the 2nd time around. You'll pass it.
Then, in some states, like California for example, you can ride! You have limits though.
a. You can't ride at night
b. You can't ride on freeways
Other than that your good to go.
Step 2.
The next step is either
a. Taking the riding test at dmv
b. Going to the msf course
First, what is the msf course? You pay a fee, you get taught how to ride they even let you ride in the range area its fun too.
But here is the key. "By going to the msf school you BYPASS the dmv Riding test! See, thats good as most folks fail the dmv riding test as its really hard. But by going to the msf school (Found on the internet) they give you a certificate you take to dmv once classes are over (theres 3 classes in most cases) and when you give dmv that certificate they hand you your license.
Remember, you already have the written test passed at dmv in the first step so now your good to go.
Heres a quick check list of what you'll need.
1. The bike of course (Check out link below which is my recommendation for you)
2. Insurance (Easy and fast to get)
3. Gear (Helmet and good jacket. Jacket preferably with what is called armor) High top boots. Find em cheap at walmart or anyware but get steel toed ones.
4. Back pack or tank bag. A tank bag is cool as its a backpack sorta looking thing that has strong magnets on it. It sits right on your gas tank and I have one of those. I like it better than wearing a back pack to carry things.
Also shop around and start looking. I put 3 sites down below for your viewing pleasure.
p.s. I would get your license first before buying a bike as that way you can test drive them. Always test drive on the freeway also if you plan on using the freeways as bikes act differently at higher speeds and you can see if the wind bugs you too much.
The bike you should get if not riding freeways often
http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread....