What bike to get as my first bike?

What kind of street bike should a 130lb 5.5" woman get her first street bike?

• so through out highschool I rode dirt bikes all the time. I havent rode in a couple years, and am going to nursing school which is two hours away from my home. I really need to save on gas. I know it can be very dangerous but I feel confident I will be fine. I would like a nice looking bike, that is the right size for me.. Any experienced riders opinion on what I should consider getting? Thanks for the help!

• Answer:

  Reasons to Ride A Ninja 250. 1) Insurance for about 260 Bucks (FOR THE YEAR!) 2) Gets 70MPG 3) 0-60 in 5.75 Seconds Not Fast enough? With More HP per LB, the Ninja 250 is comparable to a Corvette, not the Fastest, but its FAST ENOUGH 4) Top Speed of 95MPH, if your going any faster then that, You are speeding. 5) Its Forgiving (Won't Throw you off for shifting down too quickly and dumping the clutch (Trust me on this one) 6) You can Ride the Bike to its ABSOLUTE LIMIT and still be safe (Not doing 160 MPH) 7) The Newer Ninja's look Sexy as hell. 8) Ninja250.O rg is a great Wiki Site that allows you to Work on the bike yourself and save TONS of money, I got my bike running by myself with absolutely NO mechanical knowledge prior. 9) When you Drop your bike (Trust me, It will happen) Your Fairings don't cost more then 600 Dollars if you damage them. (Less if you get an older ninja) 10) With the Older ninjas and 20 years of production. Spare parts are CHEAP AND PLENTIFUL. 11) You Feel like a Racer Going threw all the gears, While your still obeying the speed limit ^__^ 12) Anything more then 600CC's in the City is OVERKILL. STop and go Trafic? Bikes are Air Cooled. If you have that big of an engine, and its just idling all the time because your in trafic. It could ,not saying it will, harm the bike over prolonged periods. Ninja 250 doesn't generate AS much heat. 13) Cheap and Easy to find on Craigslist , I found mine for $1,250.00 USD All it needed was new tires, a good carb cleaning and She was ready to hit the road. 14) They are small, nimble, flick-able, and quick. Much like a Dirt Bike, so the Transition would be ALOT easier then if you went with a bigger more heavier bike. 15) 88-07 NInjas Neared 20 Years of Production..Tested and Proven enough for you? 16) NInja 250's Hold their Resale Value, I can probably turn around and Sell my Ninja for 1,400 If I wanted, because of the Work I put in it. That price will STAND for at least 5 Years. 17) The Ninja 250 is a SMALLER bike, so With a small frame you can probably touch the ground, which builds ALOT of confidence in beginner-novice riders. I can keep going, but I hope you get the picture :) Regardless of choice, be safe and PLEASE Don't be a SQUID Before you make your decision., please Visit the FAQ on Ninja250.Org. What you got to lose? Just check it out and see the support system you'd have if ANYTHING were to go wrong with your bike. ATGATT - Andrew