First Motorcycle 3-4k price range?

A 250 (for the most part) is an around town bike, not a freeway/interstate bike. If you plan to use your first bike on any major roads then I would go for something bigger. I've been trying to get myself a 500cc bike for a couple years now, but anytime I have the money something else comes up. My friend has 2 250cc bikes that I borrow every now and then(I have my motorcycle license, just not my own bike) and like I said they're great around town and slow cruising, but I would never bring it on the interstate/freeway. A 500cc should be fine as a beginners bike, just be careful with it at first, don't hop on it and head straight for the nearest interstate. Of course, that's just my personal opinion. If you don't feel safe going with a bigger bike then don't do it.

lots of beginner bikes recommended on this site.. & lots more bike stuff as well... http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/MotorcycleIntroA.html#Recomend

As it sounds like you're from America, I can't advise on specific models, however I would say you should be looking for a bike with the following criteria: - As little plastic/fairing as possible WHY? So that 'if' you drop it while you're parking it, you're only talking about a 20-30 dollars on broken levers, pedals, and not hundreds on fixing/replacing panels. -Your first bike should NOT be bought to impress friends and the general public WHY? This is your first bike, something to get some experience on and usually the bike you really want is only for self-image and not to gain experience easily. A race bike behaves very differently to an 'average' bike. -bike cc is almost irrelevant, it's really the style that's important WHY? You want a bike that YOU ride and DOES NOT ride you. Get a 250cc sportsbike and you'll learn less and slower than if you got a 500cc commuter style bike. -3-4k is a healthy budget not including safety equipment. I'm really glad you're going to protect yourself properly - kudos ;-) Keep the rubber side down and enjoy the ride!

The 250 will be OK on freeways and hi ways for about an hour. I haven't shopped for a bike in several years, but go down in the price range, There is a Price FLOOR below which many bikes do not fall, the '90 model sells for as much as '96 or you can get a '96 for the same price as a '90, buy a used GOOD bike, ride it for a year,then sell it to another beginner for the same price. You want good Mechanics, dents and dings don't matter, they add character "I'm a Survivor". Then go off the deep end and buy the bike you want. Sport bikes have a taller seat height than Cruisers and quicker steering. Riding since '68, now I'm 5'6" @ 140, I rode a Virago 750 with no problem, except pushing it around.