Whats the right motorbike to start learning on...?

I think it's hard to specify exactly which bike is ideal for you. Each and every rider has his/her own idea as to what bike's ideal. You'll have to test out the bike's suitability. Basically, when you're shopping, pop into the dealer's and get yourself seated on as many bikes as possible. Lift the bike off the sidestand, hold on to the bars, prop your feet up on the footpegs. In general, try out the ergonomics of as many bikes as you can. Do you feel comfortable? If not, then that genre of bike is probably not for you. Ergonomics play a huge part in settling a new rider into his/her ride. Basically, the more comfy you are, the more attention you get to spend on the road. What I'd suggest is when you do go shopping, you keep in mind the following: -Comfort (as above) -Get a relatively cheap 2nd hand bike -Look for something that has cheap spares in abundance; you want to be able to repair it cheaply when (not if) you fall -Easy to handle;don't go looking for more power you can chew off... you can look for something with more performance on whichever end of the tacho AFTER you've gotten road savvy. By then, you'll know what you'd like better anyway, be it a top revving inline 4 sportsbike, or a throaty v-twin. -Good resale value. Sentimental as you may be, you don't want to stick around your learner bike after your experience has exceeded its potential. Upgrade, learn as you go along, and upgrade again :) On a side note, I know of many wee ladies who are happily whizzing around on their SV650s. One even had her block bored to 800cc. I'd recommend the bike once you've gotten more familiar with riding :)

First - take an Motorcycle Safety Foundation class before you spend any $. Every state has an MSF office, and classes are offered all over the country. You can search for the MSF web site or you can contact any MC dealer in your area to find out about what's offered in your area. For starting off, since you have some comfort on a bike. I'd suggest going for the bike you ultimately want. All bikes, regardless of size, are the same once moving. Where people get in trouble is moving them in a parking lot or slow speed maneuvers. My wife started (never rode as the "driver" before) on a Honda 600 Shadow VTX (might have the VTX part wrong). Then within 3 months was ready to more than ready move up - she went straight for a BMW R1200CLC - which is a huge bike. Also depends on who you ride with. If you ride by yourself you might not be in such a hurry to move up. If, like my wife, your riding with a bunch of people on larger bikes - the smaller cc bikes can't keep up. Also, she had to fill up on gas twice as often which became a pain. Check out local MC dealers, most will have demo days and some even have demo bikes that they will let you try. After you take the MSF class and have your license, go check out some of these demo opportunities to find what is the biggest bike you feel comfortable on. Regarding what to look at, if your into dual sport (off road + road) you might look at the BMWs. It helps if your tall or at least have long legs if your going to ride a BMW though. ======= One other thing regarding dropping the bike. ANYONE can pick up ANY MC (ok, maybe not a bosshoss) by themselves. There is a very small lady who travels around the country teaching a class for women on how to pick up a bike. Check her out at Americade (www.tourexpo.com).

Take the motorcycle safety course. They typically use Honda or Suzuki 250's so you can get used to it.

try looking at these honda rebel 250, suzuki gz 250, yamaha virago 250, or kawasaki eliminator 125.

Honda CG100/125 bulletproof, reliable, and wont kill you on day one...

First of all take the MSF course, and try to learn from it Study the materials and review them regularly A good starting Cruiser is the Honda Rebel It offers the following: 1-low price-buy one used 2. easy to handle 3.light 4 reliable 5 easy to sell when you move up

I would suggest a bike close to 400cc. 125cc may seem fine at this time, but later on when you want to go on the highway you'll be revving at close to 8000rpm which isnt good. And it would be very difficult to overtake someone on the highway. Also choose a bike thats good on insurance :)

I assume you are in the US, because we have very strict rules for learner machines. If you are under 21 you have to pass a test on a machine between 100 and 125 cc. No matter what you get, you will drop it, so for a first bike get an old one you don't mind scratching or denting. Also old bikes are more fun, you soon learn how to fix them.

def best to start on a 125 and get in some experience on the roads before moving to a bigger bike. unless you want to go direct access you cant ride anything bigger on L plates anyway depends what you like. i love the cruisers and got a 125 shadow to learn on and i love it. it is not too heavy but it gives the impression of a much bigger bike. it can go an steady 60 mph and ive taken it on the motorway( after i passed my test of course) without too much problems although i have stuggled with high winds.